TL;DR
The Indian government is pressing automakers to significantly enhance and maintain the highway EV charging infrastructure, allocating a ₹2,000 crore fund and prioritizing 60 key corridors.
The Indian government is intensifying its efforts to bolster the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, particularly along national highways. A recent directive from the Ministry of Heavy Industries calls upon automakers to actively participate in the expansion and maintenance of this crucial network. This initiative comes in response to reports indicating that nearly 50% of the currently mapped charging stations are non-functional, posing a significant challenge to EV adoption across the country.
During the annual session of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Kamran Rizvi, Secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, highlighted 60 priority corridors for electrification. He suggested that vehicle manufacturers could collaborate to establish and ensure the functionality of charging stations within these designated areas. The government plans to prioritize highway charging stations over the next two to three years, aligning with its strategy to gradually reduce direct subsidies for EV purchases and encourage industry-led ecosystem development. A fund of ₹2,000 crore has been allocated by the ministry for charging infrastructure development, which automakers can access for these projects.
