Govt. Launches Operational Guidelines for Nationwide EV Charging Infrastructure Under PM E-DRIVE

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has issued operational guidelines for the deployment of Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EV PCS) under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme.

With an overall outlay of INR 10,900 crore, the scheme earmarks INR 2,000 crore specifically for public charging infrastructure to accelerate electric vehicle adoption across India.

Government ministries, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), state and union territory governments, and their associated PSUs are eligible to submit proposals to MHI. These entities may either set up and operate charging stations themselves or collaborate with Charge Point Operators (CPOs). Key ministries involved include Petroleum and Natural Gas, Road Transport and Highways, Power, Railways, Civil Aviation, and Housing and Urban Affairs. Major CPSEs such as IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, NHAI, AAI, CONCOR, SAIL, CESL, and metro rail corporations are included. States and UTs must designate nodal agencies to coordinate with urban local bodies, highway authorities, DISCOMs, and other relevant departments for demand aggregation and proposal submission.

Deployment will prioritise cities and highways. Eligible cities include those with populations over one million, Smart Cities, satellite towns of the seven major metros, state and UT capitals, and cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Highways connecting major cities, industrial hubs, and ports will be selected in consultation with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

All charging infrastructure must comply with the Ministry of Power’s EV charging guidelines issued in September 2024. Standards cover Light EV DC and AC/DC combo connectors up to 12 kW for two- and three-wheelers, CCS-II connectors ranging from 50 kW to 500 kW for four-wheelers, buses, and trucks, and fast-charging guns of at least 120 kW for heavy vehicles. Public Battery Swapping Stations (BSS) and Battery Charging Stations (BCS) are also eligible if they adhere to the Ministry of Power’s January 2025 guidelines.

Financial support under PM E-DRIVE focuses on upstream infrastructure such as transformers, cables, circuit protection equipment, mounting structures, fencing, and civil works. Subsidies may also cover EV Supply Equipment in certain cases. Government premises offering free public access to chargers will receive 100 percent subsidy on infrastructure and EVSE costs. Locations such as railway stations, airports, OMC retail outlets, bus stations, metro stations, and NHAI-controlled toll plazas are eligible for 80 percent subsidy on infrastructure and 70 percent on EVSE. Other urban and highway sites, including malls and market complexes, will receive 80 percent support on infrastructure. Battery swapping and charging stations across all locations will also be funded at the same level. Benchmark costs for subsidy calculation range from INR 6.04 lakh for 50 kW stations to INR 24 lakh for stations above 150 kW.

The implementation process is structured in three stages. Nodal agencies first prepare and submit proposals online, specifying locations, charger types, and subsidy requests. Once approved, entities or CPOs acquire infrastructure and EVSE through transparent procurement processes. Seventy percent of the eligible subsidy is released upon certification of compliance, while government agencies installing stations directly may request advance subsidies. The final stage involves commissioning the stations and integrating them into MHI’s National Unified Hub, a digital platform for charger discovery, slot booking, payments, and operational monitoring, after which the remaining subsidy tranche is released.

The PM E-DRIVE portal will serve as a single-window system for proposal submissions, subsidy disbursement, and progress reporting. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been appointed as the Project Implementation Agency, responsible for proposal evaluation, stakeholder support, and developing the National Unified Hub. IFCI will act as the Project Management Agency. Disputes will be resolved through reconciliation, with the Joint Secretary/Additional Secretary (Auto), MHI, holding final authority.

Through these guidelines, the government aims to establish a robust national network of EV charging and battery swapping infrastructure, boosting public confidence and accelerating India’s transition to clean mobility.