India is accelerating its electric mobility journey with the announcement of 72,000 new public EV charging stations under the ambitious PM E-Drive Scheme. This initiative marks one of the largest expansions of EV infrastructure globally and comes at a time when electric vehicle demand is rising, though adoption rates vary across segments.
Current State of EV Adoption in India
- Electric Three-Wheelers: Over 50% market share
- Electric Cars, Two-Wheelers, Buses, and Commercial Vehicles: Adoption lags behind global standards
- EV Penetration: Only 7.66% in India vs. global average of 16.48%
Key Challenge: Range Anxiety
A major barrier to EV adoption is range anxiety—concern about running out of charge, especially on long trips. Experts, including analysts from Nomura Research Institute, emphasize that a robust public charging network is crucial for boosting EV adoption, particularly for cars, buses, and commercial fleets.
What is the PM E-Drive Scheme?
- Budget: ₹2,000 crore
- Goal: Install over 72,000 public EV chargers by FY28
Focus Areas for Charger Deployment
- City centers
- Highways and expressways
- Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
- Intercity travel routes
Priority states include Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
Where Does India Stand with EV Adoption?
Despite increased discussion, actual adoption is still low:
- Two-Wheelers (2025): 6% sales are electric
- Passenger Cars: 5%
- Buses: 5%
- Medium and Heavy Trucks: Less than 1%
This highlights a significant market gap and an urgent need for better infrastructure.
Types of EV Chargers in India
Slow AC Chargers (3.3 kW)
- Use: Electric scooters, rickshaws, small EVs
- Charge Time: 3–8 hours
Quick DC Chargers
- Power Options:
- 15 kW (older)
- 30–60 kW (public, city)
- 60–180 kW (highway fast chargers)
- Up to 350 kW (luxury EVs)
- Standard: CCS2 (compatible across major brands)
- Power Options:
The Current State of India’s Charging Infrastructure
- Existing Stations: About 29,000 public chargers as of August 2025
- Future Need: 1.32 million chargers by 2030 (CII and Mordor Intelligence)
Market Growth:
- EV charging station market to grow from $46B to $122B by 2030 (CAGR: 21.57%)
The Cost of Setting Up a Charging Station
Upstream Infrastructure
- High-capacity cables, transformers, grid connections
- Costs vary by grid distance, local electricity use, and required upgrades
. Downstream Infrastructure (EVSE)
- Charger unit, payment systems, safety, connectors
- Cost: ₹8–10 lakh per EVSE unit
- Land costs are especially high in urban areas
How the PM E-Drive Subsidy System Works
- Government Land/Public Spaces: Full coverage of both upstream and EVSE costs
- Public Locations (airports, malls, etc.): 80% of upstream, 70% of EVSE costs covered
- Other Urban Areas: 80% coverage for established infrastructure
This reduces capital expenditure for CPOs, state governments, PSUs, and private players
Proposal and Approval Process
Stakeholders must submit proposals to the Ministry of Heavy Industries, including:
- Number of planned chargers
- Land and location details
- Target vehicle groups
- Deployment timeline
- Operator and ownership details
Approved projects move quickly to installation.
Major Challenges Ahead
- Slow adoption in commercial vehicles
- High upfront costs despite subsidies
- Electricity load limits in urban areas
- Lack of standardization across states
- Maintenance and uptime issues due to:
- Technician shortages
- Poor maintenance
- DNS/payment failures
A robust monitoring and maintenance network will be crucial.
Are 72,000 Chargers Enough?
Short Answer: No.
- India needs more than 1.32 million chargers by 2030 for:
- Personal, fleet, commercial vehicles
- Buses
- Urban and semi-urban e-mobility
However: Adding 72,000 chargers by FY28 will significantly reduce range anxiety, boost EV sales, and raise consumer and industry confidence.
India’s Path to Global EV Leadership
India has the potential to become a global EV powerhouse with:
- Increased investment in PM E-Drive
- Faster charger approvals
- Supportive state policies
- Demand incentives
- Rapid fleet electrification
- Rising fuel prices driving EV adoption
The next five years will be pivotal.
Conclusion
The plan to install 72,000 public EV chargers signals a major transformation. If implemented effectively, this network will:
- Accelerate EV adoption
- Reduce range anxiety
- Fast-track infrastructure readiness
- Encourage private investment
- Increase consumer trust
A strong vehicle base and reliable charging network are both essential for success. PM E-Drive could be the key turning point.
FAQs
As of mid-2025, about 29,000 public chargers.
A ₹2,000 crore government plan to install 72,000 public EV chargers by FY28.
Mainly CCS2 fast chargers (30–180 kW) for public use and slow AC chargers for smaller EVs.
Yes, easily available public chargers will make everyday and long-distance EV use more practical.
Yes, with EV penetration at 7.66%, the government aims to close the gap with global standards by 2030 through robust infrastructure and policy support.