New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government is planning a new policy that will require all government departments, corporations, development authorities, and civic bodies to make their unused land available for setting up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This move aims to support the state’s rapidly expanding EV ecosystem by addressing the shortage of suitable land for charging infrastructure, reported Hindustan Times.
The decision comes in response to the growing gap between the increasing number of electric vehicles in the state and the limited number of available charging stations. Officials from the renewable energy department noted that private developers have struggled to find accessible land, which has slowed the expansion of the necessary infrastructure. With the number of EVs rising quickly, particularly in urban areas and along highways, the state sees this policy as essential to meet future demand.
According to a senior official, the proposal will make it mandatory for public agencies to allow their vacant land to be used for EV charging stations. The official added that cabinet approval for the policy is expected soon.
This policy aligns with the Ministry of Power’s goal to create a widespread and reliable charging network by the year 2030. The plan includes placing charging stations at regular intervals in cities and along highways to ensure convenient access for all types of electric vehicles, including heavy-duty ones like buses and trucks. The broader strategy also includes providing public land to private developers at subsidised rates, with a revenue-sharing model that allows land-owning agencies to receive a portion of the earnings from electricity usage.
In addition to the land access initiative, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) has announced the formation of a new company, Uttar Pradesh Renewable and EV Infrastructure Ltd. This company will be responsible for developing and maintaining EV charging facilities at various locations such as power distribution areas, highways, and cities, in accordance with central government guidelines.
The state government has identified that more than 12.5 lakh electric vehicles are currently registered in Uttar Pradesh, and this number is projected to grow tenfold by 2030. As part of its sustainability efforts, the government has also committed to replacing its own vehicle fleet with electric vehicles by that time. Officials believe the biggest obstacle to this growth is the lack of land for charging stations, and the new policy is designed specifically to eliminate that challenge and pave the way for a more robust EV infrastructure across the state.
