The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has introduced guidelines for establishing public charging stations under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, a comprehensive initiative with a total budget of Rs 10,900 crore. The primary objective is to expedite the adoption of electric vehicles across India. As part of this scheme, Rs 2,000 crore is specifically allocated for the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points within cities and along key highways. The program incorporates a subsidy mechanism designed to incentivize faster installation, with some categories potentially receiving full cost coverage. Hospitals, government offices, CPSE premises, and educational institutions are eligible for subsidies that cover 100% of the infrastructure and charging equipment costs. A 70% subsidy on charging equipment and an 80% subsidy on infrastructure will be provided to locations such as metro stations, airports, bus depots, fuel retail outlets operated by state-run OMCs, and railway stations. Markets, malls, and other private locations, along with battery swapping and charging stations, will be eligible for an 80% subsidy on infrastructure development. The government aims to prioritize the installation of charging stations along highways that connect major industrial hubs and ports. Additionally, the initiative will focus on NCAP cities, state capitals, smart cities, and urban areas with populations exceeding one million. Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) will serve as the Project Implementation Agency, while IFCI will act as the Project Management Agency. BHEL will also be responsible for developing a National Unified Hub and creating a mobile application to enhance the user experience. The app will offer real-time information, charger discovery, payment functionality, and slot booking capabilities by integrating all EV chargers. Subsidies will be disbursed in two phases: 70% upon equipment procurement and the remaining 30% after successful setup and integration with the Unified Hub. The charging standards are set to accommodate various vehicle types, with charging capacities up to 12 kW for two- and three-wheelers and 50-500 kW fast chargers for cars, buses, and trucks. This plan addresses the critical need for a reliable charging network, a crucial factor in EV adoption, and contributes significantly to the nation’s commitment to green mobility.
