PM E-DRIVE Scheme Allocates ?2,000 Crore For Pan-India EV Charging Infrastructure: Heavy Industries MoS

New Delhi, Dec 20 (KNN) The PM E-DRIVE scheme has been allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the deployment of public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the country, including tribal and backward areas, the government informed Parliament.

In a written reply, Minister of State, Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma said the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) issued the operational guidelines for the ‘Deployment of EV Public Charging Stations (EVPCS) under PM E-DRIVE’ on September 26, 2025. However, no charging stations have been installed so far under the scheme.

Eligibility and Implementation Framework
Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, central ministries and departments, central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), state and Union Territory governments and their public sector undertakings are eligible to submit proposals for setting up EV public charging stations.

Proposals are to be routed through nodal agencies designated by the respective ministries or states and UTs, which will aggregate demand for EV charging stations. Implementation can be undertaken directly by the eligible entities or through the engagement of charge point operators (CPOs).

The release of subsidies, wherever applicable, will be made to the nodal agencies in tranches, in line with the scheme guidelines.

Role of Private Players and Subsidy Support
The minister clarified that setting up an EV charging station is an unlicensed activity and private players are free to install EV charging stations in accordance with the Ministry of Power guidelines.

The PM E-DRIVE scheme provides capital subsidies for upstream infrastructure and EV supply equipment (chargers). The subsidy can go up to 100 per cent, depending on the location category.

Costs for upstream infrastructure and EVsupply equipment are benchmarked as per norms set by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

(KNN Bureau)