India Finalizing Rules to Develop Large-Scale EV Charging Network

The government is finalizing the operational guidelines for installing electric vehicle public charging stations in the country under the ₹10,900 crore PME-drive scheme based on aggregated demand from state-owned companies to reduce the upfront costs, according to two people aware of the development.

- Manas Pimpalkhare

The ministry of heavy industries (MHI) will install over 72,000 chargers across the country based on the demand aggregated by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Indian Railways and state governments.

"The guidelines are in the works, they are in the final stage. The EV (electric vehicle) charging infrastructure component has a large share in the PME-drive scheme—₹2,000 crore—so the guidelines need to cover demands for charging stations made by all stakeholders," said one official aware of the development on the condition of anonymity.