Union Minister for Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, led an inter-ministerial coordination meeting today with senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and Ministry of Heavy Industries to review and expedite the implementation of EV charging infrastructure under the PM E-Drive scheme.
Launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the PM E-Drive scheme aims to create a nationwide EV-ready ecosystem, supporting cleaner transport and reducing India’s reliance on fossil fuels.
With a financial allocation of ₹2,000 crore, the scheme will facilitate the installation of around 72,000 EV public charging stations across India. These stations will be strategically placed along 50 national highway corridors, in high-traffic areas such as metro cities, toll plazas, railway stations, airports, fuel outlets, and state highways.
Speaking on the initiative, Union Minister Kumaraswamy remarked, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is taking significant strides towards becoming a global leader in sustainable transport. The PM E-Drive scheme is not just about building infrastructure; it is about providing clean, affordable, and accessible mobility options for citizens while advancing energy security and fostering green economic growth.”
The Minister also highlighted the collaborative role of multiple stakeholders in the execution of the initiative. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is being considered as the nodal agency for demand aggregation and the development of a unified digital super app. This app will serve as a central platform for EV users across India, offering real-time slot bookings, payment integration, charger availability, and progress dashboards to track the national deployment under the PM E-Drive scheme. BHEL will also work with states and ministries to assess and coordinate proposals for charger installations.
Minister Kumaraswamy stressed the importance of a unified approach, stating, “The transition to clean energy cannot succeed in isolation. This meeting demonstrates our commitment to working together as one government. Ministries, public sector enterprises, and state governments are aligned to deliver on-the-ground results. We are confident that the PM E-Drive scheme will not only boost green industries and create jobs but will also pave the way for seamless electric mobility for every Indian.”
The success of the project is expected to significantly cut India’s transport-related carbon emissions, promote local manufacturing of EV infrastructure, and lay the foundation for a future of net-zero mobility.
