Parliament Question: Development of EV charging infrastructure on highways

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2988 ANSWERED ON - 18/03/2026 DEVELOPMENT OF EV CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE ON HIGHWAYS 2988: DR. K. LAXMAN:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state:-

(a) the progress in developing nationwide Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure along major national highways and expressways;

(b) the specific plan for installing EV charging stations at regular intervals on highways passing through Telangana;

(c) the policy measures and public-private partnership models being adopted to accelerate this infrastructure rollout; and

(d) how this supports the national goals of EV adoption and reducing carbon emissions from the transport sector? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) and (b) Government in Ministry of Heavy Industries, under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME)-II Scheme, have allocated Rs.912.50 crore for installation of 9,332 Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EV PCS) on Pan India basis including cities and highways. As on 01.01.2026 a total of 9,159 EV PCS have been installed under the FAME-II scheme. In addition, Government in Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has envisioned to develop the EV charging infrastructure across the Wayside Amenities at approximate interval of 40-60 kms along the National Highways and Expressways, wherein so far, 68 EV charging stations have been commissioned by National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a 100% subsidiary of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The setting up of EV PCS is an unlicensed activity and private entrepreneurs are also permitted to participate in this activity.

(c) and (d) Government to support the environment friendly transportation, has notified the Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, with a total outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore, to encourage electric vehicle adoption and reduce vehicular emissions. The scheme supports adoption of electric two- wheelers (e-2W), electric three-wheelers (e-3W including e-rickshaws and e-carts), e-trucks, e-buses and e-ambulances. Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, approximately 28.27 lakh EVs are envisaged to be supported, including e-2Ws (24.79 lakh), e-3Ws (3.28 lakh) and 14,028 e-buses. An allocation of Rs.500 crore has been made for deployment of 5,643 e-trucks under the scheme. An allocation of Rs.500 crore has also been made for e-ambulance under the scheme. In addition to this, an allocation of Rs. 2,000 crore has been made under the PM E- DRIVE scheme for deployment of EV PCS on pan India basis including National and State highways of Telangana. Operational guidelines for “deployment of EV Public Charging Stations (EVPCS)” have been issued on 26.09.2025, which provide the framework for implementation of charging infrastructure projects, including participation by eligible public and private entities. Government in the Ministry of Power issued the “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure–2024” on 17.09.2024 to strengthen EV charging infrastructure nationwide including expressways, national highways and major roads.

*****