Parliament Question: Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles (EVs)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 453 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2026 CHARGING STATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EVs) †453. SMT. SANJNA JATAV: Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state: (a) the number of such public charging stations which are capable of charging gars and are equipped with fast charging facilities for Electric Vehicles (EVs); (b) the details of the steps taken to reduce range anxiety in private Electric Vehicles; (c) the rational for excluding electric cars from the PM E-Drive Scheme; (d) Whether the Government has taken note of the fact that in the last two years, no bus has utilized the proposed benefits under PM E-Drive; (e) if so, whether any review or consultation has been conducted to promote usage and the details thereof; and (f) the details of steps taken to increase the use of Electric Vehicles in order to achieve the targets for Electric Vehicles in the country? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA) (a): As per BHEL portal, there are 52,718 public charging stations out of which 16,561 public charging stations are equipped with fast EV chargers for cars. (b): The Government has taken several steps to address range anxiety for private electric vehicles: (i) MHI has allocated ₹912.50 and ₹2,000 crore under the FAME-II and PM E-DRIVE schemes respectively for setting up EV public charging stations (EVPCS) across the country, especially in cities and along highways. (ii) The Ministry of Power issued the "Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure 2024," which outline standards for a connected and interoperable charging network, including battery swapping and charging stations. (iii) Setting up EV charging stations is an un-licensed activity, allowing private entrepreneurs to establish charging infrastructure more easily. (c): Cars are supported under the PLI scheme for Automobile & Auto Components (PLI-Auto). Under the PLI Auto scheme, financial incentives of 13% to 18% were provided on determined (incremental) sales of AAT vehicles [including electric cars (e-4w)] to champion OEMs. (d) & (e): An allocation of ₹4,391 crore has been made under PM E-DRIVE for deployment of 14,028 e-buses. A total of 13,800 e-buses have been allocated to 7 cities namely Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune and Surat. Tender process for selection of e-bus operators for these 13,800 e-buses has also concluded by 30.12.2025 (Phase I tender for 10,900 e-buses) and 27.05.2026 (Phase II tender for 2,900 e-buses).-2- As on 30.06.2026, Letters of Award (LoAs) have been issued by Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Surat. The Concession Agreements (CAs) have been signed by Hyderabad for 915 e-buses out of 2,000 e-buses allocated to Hyderabad and by Surat for 600 e-buses. Besides this 200 e-buses have been approved for deployment in hilly terrain in Jammu & Kashmir. Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) and the Ministry of Heavy Industries is holding regular consultations and reviews with the State Government and STUs for faster deployment of these buses. (f): The Government has implemented the following schemes to increase the use of Electric Vehicles: (i) Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme Phase-II: The Government implemented this scheme for a period of five years from 01.04.2019 to 31.03.2024 with a total budgetary support of ₹11,500 crore. The scheme provided demand incentive for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-4Ws and grant for e-buses and setting up of EV public charging stations (EV PCS). FAME-II has supported the sale of approximately 16.72 lakh electric vehicles, including e-2Ws, e- 3Ws, and e-4Ws. In addition, 5,197 electric buses (e-buses) have been deployed under the Scheme as on 30.06.2026. Further, an amount of ₹912.50 crore was allocated under the Scheme for the establishment of EVPCS across the country. (ii) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry in India (PLI-Auto): The Government notified this scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry in India, on 23.09.2021, for enhancing India's manufacturing capabilities for Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products, including EVs, with a budgetary outlay of ₹25,938 crore. (iii) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage: The Government on 09.06.2021 notified the PLI Scheme for manufacturing of ACC in the country with a budgetary outlay of ₹18,100 crore. The scheme aims to establish a competitive domestic manufacturing ecosystem for 50 GWh of ACC batteries. (iv) PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM EDRIVE) Scheme: This scheme with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore has been notified on 29.09.2024. This scheme supports incentivization of approximately 28.30 lakh electric vehicles (EVs) including e-2W, e-3W, e-Trucks, e-buses and e-Ambulances. Further, EV public charging stations (EV PCS) and upgradation of testing agencies is also included in this scheme. An allocation of ₹4,391 crore has been made under the scheme for deployment of 14,028 e-buses out of which 13,800 e-buses have been allocated in seven cities having four million plus population viz. Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune and Surat. Further, 200 e-buses have been approved for hilly terrain in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Moreover, ₹2,000 crore has been allocated for deployment of EV PCS on pan India basis. (v) PM e-Bus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme: This Scheme notified on 28.10.2024, has an outlay of ₹3,435.33 crore and aims to support deployment of more than 38,000 electric buses. The objective of this scheme is to provide payment security to e-bus operators in case of default by Public Transport Authorities (PTAs).-3- (vi) Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) was notified on 15th March, 2024 to promote the manufacturing of electric cars in India. This scheme requires applicants to invest a minimum of ₹4,150 crore and to achieve a minimum DVA of 25% at the end of the third year and DVA of 50% at the end of the fifth year. Further, following initiatives have also been taken up by the Government of India to increase the use of electric vehicles in the country: – i. GST on electric vehicles and chargers/ charging stations for electric vehicles has been reduced to 5%. ii. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) announced that battery-operated vehicles will be given green license plates and be exempted from permit requirements. iii. MoRTH issued advisory to states to waive road tax on EVs, which in turn will help reduce the initial cost of EVs. *******