GoI Releases EV Charging Guidelines to Add 72,300 Stations Under ₹10,900 Crore PM E-Drive Scheme

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has issued detailed operational guidelines for setting up public electric vehicle charging stations under the PM E-Drive scheme. With an outlay of INR 10,900 crore, the scheme aims to accelerate EV adoption by making charging points as common as fuel pumps across India.

Of this, INR 2,000 crore has been dedicated specifically to subsidise charging infrastructure. This is intended to support the rollout of up to 72,300 new public charging, battery swapping, and charging stations.

Currently, India has around 30,000 public charging stations, which is far below the required density to meet growing EV adoption. The scheme’s guidelines have been designed to ease range anxiety, prioritising deployment in high-density urban centres, smart cities, state capitals, highways, and government-owned premises.

Subsidy Structure and Categories

The guidelines classify charging station deployment into specific categories based on location, with varying levels of subsidy:

Category A includes government offices, colleges, hospitals, CPSEs, which are qualified for 100 percent subsidy on both infrastructure and charging equipment, provided chargers are available for public use.

Category B includes airports, metro and bus stations, PSU fuel pumps, parking lots, and toll plazas. This category is supported with 80 percent subsidy for infrastructure and 70 percent subsidy for charging equipment.

Category C covers other public spaces such as malls and market complexes, with 80 percent subsidy for infrastructure.

Category D includes battery swapping and charging stations, up for 80 percent infrastructure subsidy.

The subsidy is calculated either on benchmark costs published by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency or the actual cost, whichever is lower.

Technical Standards and Charger Types

The guidelines mandate strict adherence to the latest Ministry of Power standards to ensure interoperability and uniformity across India’s electric vehicle charging network. 

For two- and three-wheelers, the approved charging options include Light EV DC (IS-17017-2-6) and Light EV AC/DC Combo (IS-17017-2-7) connectors with capacities of up to 12 kW. 

For four-wheelers, the prescribed standard is CCS-II (IS-17017-2-3), covering a range from 50 kW to 250 kW. 

In the case of heavy-duty e-buses and trucks, the guidelines specify high-power CCS-II chargers between 250 kW and 500 kW. Each of these must deliver a minimum of 120 kW per charging gun to support rapid charging and minimise turnaround times for commercial fleets.

On the cost front, benchmark calculations have been provided to structure subsidies effectively. The benchmark cost for upstream infrastructure, which covers elements such as transformers, cabling, and civil works, ranges from INR 6.04 lakh for chargers up to 50 kW to INR 24 lakh for those above 150 kW. 

For EV Supply Equipment (EVSE), the benchmark cost for a 50 kW CCS-II charger has been set at INR 7.25 lakh, while a 100 kW CCS-II charger is benchmarked at INR 11.68 lakh. These standardised costs will act as the reference point for determining subsidy amounts under the PM E-Drive scheme.

Focus Areas and Urban Readiness

The subsidy support prioritises EV charging stations in EV-dense cities, smart cities, and along highways connecting industrial hubs and ports. The guidelines emphasise setting up charging points in everyday locations, including government offices, schools, hospitals, railway and metro stations, airports, and shopping malls, ensuring people can charge EVs without making special trips.

Highway-focused infrastructure will include chargers at toll plazas and way-side amenities, enabling inter-city and long-distance electric travel.

Implementation and Unified Hub

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) will serve as the primary project implementation agency tasked with coordinating projects and building the National Unified EV Charging Hub. This hub, integrated with a mobile app, will provide real-time charger availability, booking, and digital payment support to EV owners nationwide.

The subsidy will be released in two phases, contingent on compliance with technical and performance standards. State governments, Union Territories, and central government institutions will appoint nodal agencies to aggregate demand and set up stations, either directly or in partnership with private Charge Point Operators (CPOs).

Clean Mobility Goals

The PM E-Drive scheme aims to install 22,100 fast chargers for cars, 1,800 for buses, and 48,400 for two- and three-wheeled vehicles. By lowering infrastructure costs and bringing charging closer to consumers' daily lives, the government is aiming to further fuel widespread EV adoption.

For consumers, the rollout will mean greater convenience and affordability. Charging at hospitals, malls, offices, or highways will soon become a routine activity rather than a logistical challenge, addressing one of the biggest barriers to India’s electric mobility transition.