Subsidies for Electric 2 & 3 Wheeler Charging Stations
New Delhi, October 7, 2024: In a significant move to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India, the central government has announced a new plan to subsidize the deployment of public charging stations, with a particular focus on two- and three-wheelers.
Under the newly launched PM E-DRIVE scheme, the government will provide subsidies of up to 80% for the back-end infrastructure development costs of these charging stations. The scheme is allocated a substantial INR 10,900 crore.
The government aims to support the deployment of a total of 72,300 public charging stations (PCS) across the country. Of these, a significant portion—48,400—will be dedicated to two- and three-wheelers, while 1,800 will cater to buses.
Government Aims to Bridge EV Charging Infrastructure Gap
“This initiative is a crucial step towards building a robust charging infrastructure that will make electric vehicles a more viable and accessible option for Indian consumers,”
a senior government official.
The PM E-DRIVE scheme is expected to address a significant gap in the current EV ecosystem, as India currently has only around 12,000 operational charging stations, primarily serving cars. By focusing on two- and three-wheelers, the government is targeting a segment that constitutes a large portion of India’s vehicle fleet.
Government’s Push for Sustainable EV Charging Solutions
To ensure that charging of EVs aligns with India’s clean energy goals, the government plans to encourage charging during daytime hours when there is an abundance of renewable energy.
In addition to the central government’s efforts, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Indian Railways, and state governments will also be involved in the implementation of the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
The announcement of the new EV charging subsidy scheme is expected to boost investor confidence in the EV sector and accelerate the transition to electric mobility in India.