The Centre has come out with detailed operational guidelines for setting up close to 72,300 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country. The plan comes with a budget of ₹2,000 crore under the broader ₹10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme.
According to the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the guidelines set a tiered subsidy structure to fast-track charging stations at government offices, highways, public transport hubs, and commercial spaces.
Government offices, residential colonies, hospitals, and educational institutions can get 100% subsidy on upstream infrastructure and charging equipment—on the condition that the facilities remain open for public use.
Busy locations such as railway stations, airports run by the Airports Authority of India, bus terminals, metro stations, public parking spaces, public sector ports, oil company fuel outlets, and toll plazas will see 80% subsidy on upstream costs and 70% on charging equipment.
Shopping malls, markets, and roadside facilities along highways and expressways will also be eligible for 80% subsidy on upstream infrastructure. The same applies to battery swapping and charging stations set up at other locations.
Eligible government agencies are expected to appoint nodal bodies that will collect demand, identify key sites, and submit proposals through a centralised portal. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has been named as the project implementation agency to oversee deployment.
The subsidy will be released in two instalments, linked to compliance and performance milestones. The focus areas are cities with populations above one million, state capitals, smart cities, metro-linked satellite towns, and busy transport corridors. Public transport hubs like railway stations, airports, and petrol pumps are also being prioritised.
