The Government of India has announced a significant push towards sustainable mobility by allocating ₹2,000 crore under the PM E-Drive initiative. This funding aims to establish approximately 72,000 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country, marking a substantial step in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting clean energy transportation.
The charging stations will be strategically deployed along 50 national highway corridors and in high-traffic urban areas, including metro cities, airports, railway stations, toll plazas, industrial clusters, and fuel outlets. This comprehensive network is designed to facilitate seamless EV travel and address range anxiety among users.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is being considered as the nodal agency for this initiative. BHEL’s responsibilities would include aggregating demand, managing the creation of a unified digital super app for EV users, and coordinating with state governments and relevant ministries to support charger installations.
The digital super app envisioned by BHEL will provide a seamless interface for EV users, offering real-time charger availability, slot booking, payment integration, and deployment dashboards to track nationwide progress. This technological integration aims to enhance user experience and streamline the charging process.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, emphasized the importance of collaborative federalism in this endeavor. He highlighted that the clean energy transition requires unified action by ministries, states, and public sector enterprises, reflecting a whole-of-government approach to achieving sustainable transportation goals.
Beyond infrastructure development, the PM E-Drive initiative is expected to generate green jobs, promote Make in India manufacturing in EV charging infrastructure, and lay the foundation for net-zero mobility. This large-scale deployment of EV charging stations signifies a decisive step in India’s journey toward sustainable urbanization and cleaner transportation alternatives.
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