The Himachal Pradesh government has made it mandatory to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in new commercial, public, and semi-public buildings, officials said on Tuesday. The requirement was introduced under the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning (17th Amendment) Rules, 2026, to support the expansion of electric mobility infrastructure.

Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani said the change aligns the state’s building regulations with model building bye-laws on EV charging infrastructure. The mandate applies to commercial, hospitality, healthcare, educational, and retail properties.

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Building Rules Update and Compliance

Under the amendment, developers must include EV charging facilities in project approvals. Buildings with a footprint of 750 square metres or more must meet energy conservation and charging infrastructure standards to qualify for additional floor area benefits. Verified compliance by Bureau of Energy Efficiency-authorised energy auditors will be required before municipal authorities issue occupancy certificates.

The changes do not affect completed projects with existing certificates but apply to new blocks in ongoing developments and all future construction. The updated rules also define a fee structure for additional floor area ratios based on project size.

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Policy Goals and Urban Growth

The government said the mandate aims to integrate sustainable infrastructure into urban development and support the state’s broader push toward green energy and electric mobility. Officials framed the update as part of Himachal Pradesh’s commitment to expand charging networks as EV use rises across India.