The Odisha government has proposed setting up 290 additional public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across 13 cities under the Central Government’s PM E-DRIVE scheme, marking another major step towards strengthening electric mobility infrastructure in the state. The proposal aims to improve charging accessibility, support the growing adoption of electric vehicles and develop a stronger public charging network across urban centres and major highways.
The proposal has been submitted to the Central Government under the direction of Odisha Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena. The initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to accelerate electric vehicle adoption by expanding charging infrastructure and encouraging consumers to shift towards cleaner transportation alternatives.
290 EV Charging Stations Proposed Across 13 Cities
Under the second phase of the PM E-DRIVE scheme, Odisha has proposed installing 290 additional public EV charging stations in 13 cities and important locations across the state.
The identified cities include Rourkela, Talcher, Sambalpur, Paradip, Barbil, Balpahad, Berhampur, Brajarajnagar, Chhatrapur, Jharsuguda, Joda, Keonjhar and Rajgangpur.
In addition to urban locations, the proposed charging network will cover several national and state highways to improve charging accessibility for electric vehicle users travelling between cities.
Of the 290 proposed locations, 68 charging stations are planned at Wayside Amenity Centres managed by the Tourism Department. Another six locations have been identified along important highway routes, including the Paradip-Barbil corridor.
The expansion is expected to benefit private electric vehicle owners as well as commercial transport operators by providing more opportunities to charge vehicles during long-distance journeys.
BHEL Appointed as Project Implementation Agency
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been appointed as the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for executing the charging infrastructure project under the central government scheme.
Before the proposed charging stations receive final approval and financial sanction, a team led by BHEL General Manager J K Pattanaik will conduct site inspections. These surveys will evaluate the feasibility and suitability of the identified locations, including the availability of essential infrastructure required for installing EV charging facilities.
The site assessment process will help determine whether the proposed locations are suitable for establishing public charging stations.
Odisha Already Expanding Its EV Charging Network
Apart from the proposed installations under PM E-DRIVE, Odisha is independently working to establish more than 500 additional EV charging stations across the state.
According to officials, 24 charging stations have already become operational in Bhubaneswar. The state government is also expanding charging facilities at important public infrastructure locations, including Atal Bus Stands and truck terminals.
Under the first phase of PM E-DRIVE, the Central Government had already approved 170 EV charging stations across seven major cities in Odisha. Implementation work for these approved facilities is currently underway.
The additional proposal for 290 charging stations is expected to further strengthen the state’s charging infrastructure once it receives approval.
EV Incentives to Support Electric Mobility Adoption
Alongside infrastructure development, Odisha is encouraging electric vehicle purchases through financial subsidies under its Electric Vehicle Policy. These incentives are intended to make electric vehicles more accessible and reduce dependence on conventional petrol and diesel-powered transportation.
The proposed charging network could also help address range anxiety, one of the major concerns among potential EV buyers, particularly those planning intercity journeys.
With investments in public charging infrastructure, highway connectivity and consumer incentives, Odisha is working towards developing a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem.
If approved and implemented, the proposed 290 charging stations, together with the state’s independent infrastructure expansion, could significantly improve EV charging accessibility and support the growth of electric transportation across Odisha.
