PM E-DRIVE Scheme Boosts EV Charging Infrastructure
The Government of India has launched operational guidelines for installing over 72,300 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country. This initiative under the PM E-DRIVE scheme aims to accelerate EV adoption by expanding accessible charging infrastructure. The Heavy Industries Ministry has outlined a tiered subsidy model to support installations at key public and commercial locations.
Subsidy Structure and Eligibility
The scheme offers a tiered subsidy to promote electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Government offices, hospitals, educational institutions, and residential colonies receive a 100% subsidy on upstream infrastructure and charging equipment if they provide free public access. High-traffic public locations such as airports, railway stations, metro stations, bus terminals, municipal parking lots, and toll plazas are eligible for 80% subsidy on upstream infrastructure and 70% on charging equipment. Commercial spaces like shopping malls, markets, and highway roadside facilities qualify for 80% subsidy on upstream infrastructure. Battery swapping stations also receive 80% support on upstream costs.
Target Locations and Prioritisation
The scheme prioritises cities with populations exceeding one million, state capitals, smart cities, metro-linked satellite towns, and high-density transport corridors. This focus ensures maximum impact on urban mobility and reduces range anxiety for EV users. The selection of sites aims to cover major public transport hubs and commercial complexes to facilitate convenient access to charging points.
Implementation and Monitoring
Eligible government agencies will appoint nodal bodies to aggregate demand and identify priority sites. These bodies will submit consolidated proposals via a dedicated portal. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has been designated as the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) responsible for overseeing deployment. The subsidy will be disbursed in two tranches, linked to compliance and performance benchmarks to ensure quality and timely execution.
Impact on EV Ecosystem
The rollout of a large-scale charging network is expected to accelerate EV adoption by addressing one of the key barriers—lack of accessible charging points. The scheme’s focus on free public access and coverage of diverse locations will enhance user convenience. It also supports the government’s broader goals of reducing vehicular emissions and promoting sustainable transport.
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