Government Plans EV-Ready Highways, Sets Target To Establish 5,833 Charging Stations Along National Highways

To promote the adoption of e-mobility, the Indian government aims to establish 5,833 additional EV charging stations along highways, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways announced on Wednesday (24 July).

In a written response in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, stated that a capital subsidy of Rs 800 crore has been allocated to three oil marketing companies for setting up a total of 7,432 EV charging stations.

Currently, there are 5,293 EV charging stations on national highways.

Of these, 4,729 were established by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for Rs 178 crore, as per an Economic Times report.

“In addition, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has set up a target of 5,833 EV charging stations along highways, out of a total of 7,432 EV charging stations, through three oil marketing companies under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas,” Minister Gadkari informed.

Presently, there are no plans to establish power stations alongside national highways for EV charging.

According to the announcement, Maharashtra leads with the highest number of EV charging stations at 750, followed by Uttar Pradesh (577), Rajasthan (482), Tamil Nadu (369), Karnataka (300), and Haryana (284).

As per earlier reports, the government is developing a comprehensive plan to create electric vehicle-ready highways on the Golden Quadrilateral.

This initiative aims to reduce fuel consumption and vehicular emissions by electrifying intercity public transport.

The plan, spanning the next seven years, seeks to accelerate e-mobility adoption and support the deployment of e-buses nationwide.

These e-highways will be equipped with green energy-enabled charging infrastructure.