NEW DELHI, May 22, 2025: At a recent review meeting, Union Minister for Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy reaffirmed his commitment to effectively utilise the Rs 2000 crore allocated under the PM E Drive scheme for the establishment of 72,000 EV charging stations across India.
To improve India's National EV Charging Grid as part of the PM E-Drive initiative, the Ministry of Heavy Industries revised its plan to expand EV charging infrastructure beyond urban areas, highways, and airports to include industrial corridors.
Senior government officials told EV Story that these charging stations will be strategically placed along 50 national highway corridors, as well as in high-traffic areas like major cities, toll plazas, railway stations, airports, fuel stations, and state highways.
Furthermore, BHEL was designated as the nodal agency for demand aggregation and the development of a unified EV super app, allowing consumers to travel across the country without worrying about the operational status of charging stations, ensuring interoperability with existing charging facilities.
The app will include real-time slot booking, payment integration, charger availability updates, and progress dashboards to track national deployment through the PM E-Drive programme. BHEL will also collaborate with state governments and ministries to solicit and evaluate bids for charger installations.
As part of the super app initiative, BHEL will act as the nodal agency for demand aggregation, with the goal of developing a nationwide EV-ready ecosystem to promote cleaner transportation and reduce India's reliance on fossil fuels.
During the meeting, Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy stated, "India is on track to become a global benchmark for sustainable transportation." The PM E-Drive initiative is a ground-breaking effort to provide our residents with clean, affordable, and convenient transportation options. We are doing more than just building infrastructure; we are laying the groundwork for energy security and long-term economic development.
He also stated that the transition to clean energy cannot be completed in isolation. "This meeting demonstrates our determination to function as a unified government. Ministries, public sector enterprises, and states work together to achieve tangible results.
"We are optimistic that PM E-Drive will stimulate new industries, create green employment opportunities, and ensure seamless electric mobility for every Indian," India's Heavy Industry Minister stated, emphasising the importance of collaborative federalism and the integration of missions to advance Make in India manufacturing in electric vehicle infrastructure, laying the groundwork for a net-zero mobility future.
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