Charging Infrastructure: The Game-Changer for India’s EV Boom, Says Govt Official

India to add 72,000+ new EV charging stations under PM E-Drive. Govt, Tata, Maruti, Hyundai, Ather to boost charging infra for faster EV adoption.

India’s electric vehicle (EV) industry has witnessed exponential growth in recent years, but one challenge continues to hold back faster adoption—charging infrastructure. According to Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, charging remains “a very important enabler” for the EV ecosystem, and its rapid expansion will decide the pace of India’s EV revolution.

Speaking at the 65th SIAM Annual Convention, Qureshi highlighted that the PM E-Drive scheme is set to play a transformative role in bridging this gap.

PM E-Drive to Add 72,000+ Charging Stations

India currently has around 30,000 public charging stations, far behind mature EV markets like China and Europe. To address this, the government has announced a ₹2,000 crore outlay under PM E-Drive for expanding EV charging infrastructure:

• 22,100 fast chargers for 4-wheelers

• 1,800 chargers for electric buses

• 48,400 chargers for 2-wheelers & 3-wheelers

This adds up to over 72,000 new chargers nationwide, strategically planned to reduce range anxiety and encourage first-time EV buyers.

Strategic Placement Over Random Deployment

Qureshi also emphasized the importance of strategic charger placement in EV-dense cities rather than “indiscriminate installations” in low-demand areas. This ensures resources are efficiently used while giving EV users access to charging where it’s needed most.

Automakers Join the Charging Race

Alongside government support, leading automakers and charge point operators are ramping up private infrastructure:

• Tata Motors plans to expand its charging network 5X to 1,00,000 stations by 2030.

• Maruti Suzuki is investing in dealer-led charging networks across cities.

• Ather Energy already has a strong network with Ather Grid, and is expanding into tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

• Hyundai India is deploying fast-charging solutions across its dealerships to back its growing EV portfolio.

This combined push from government and industry is expected to alleviate range anxiety and speed up India’s transition to zero-emission mobility.

Why Charging Infra Will Decide India’s EV Future

With rising demand for EVs like Tata Nexon EV, Punch EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ather Rizta, charging infra could become the biggest differentiator between brands. Consumers will not only compare EV prices and ranges but also evaluate the charging convenience offered by OEMs.

Experts believe that by 2027, India could see EV adoption double if charging infra scales at the promised pace.