Centre releases guidelines for setting up EV charging stations under PM E-DRIVE
The Centre has issued operational guidelines for the deployment of about 72,300 public EV charging stations across the country with a Rs 2,000-crore outlay under the Rs 10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme. The norms recommend a tiered subsidy structure to be followed to support the installation of EV charging infrastructure across different locations. Government premises such as offices, residential complexes, hospitals, and educational institutions will receive 100 per cent subsidy on both upstream infrastructure and EV charging equipment, provided the chargers offer free public access.
According to the guidelines, for locations in cities and along highways which are owned, controlled or managed by state or central governments or their public sector undertakings e.g. railway stations, airports (operated & maintained by Airports Authority of India), retail outlets of public sector OMCs, bus stations operated by STUs, metro stations, municipal parking lots, public sector ports and NHAI / State govt controlled/managed toll plazas & way-side amenities on highways/expressways, the subsidy will cover 80 per cent of upstream infrastructure and 70 per cent of EV supply equipment cost.
The norms said 80 per cent on Upstream Infrastructure will be subsidised for Cities - Streets, shopping malls, market complexes etc. along with Highways and Expressways. For Battery Swapping Stations / Battery charging Stations deployed at any location 80 per cent on Upstream Infrastructure will be subsidised. The eligible entities (GoI Ministries and State/UT governments) shall appoint nodal agencies to aggregate the EV PCS demand and submit proposals to the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The nodal bodies established will be responsible for identifying high-priority locations and submitting consolidated proposals through a dedicated online portal.
