H.D. Kumaraswamy, Minister for Heavy Industries, Government Of India, convened an inter-ministerial meeting with senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Road Transport and Highways, and Heavy Industries. The agenda was clear: to expedite the implementation of the PM E-Drive scheme, a transformative initiative aimed at establishing a comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the nation.

A Nationwide Network of 72,000 Charging Stations

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the PM E-Drive scheme is set to revolutionise India's transportation landscape. With a substantial allocation of ₹2,000 crore, the plan is to install approximately 72,000 public EV charging stations. These stations will be strategically located along 50 national highway corridors and in high-traffic areas such as metropolitan cities, toll plazas, railway stations, airports, fuel outlets, and state highways.

BHEL: Steering the Digital Transformation

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is poised to play a pivotal role in this initiative. As the prospective nodal agency, BHEL will oversee demand aggregation and spearhead the development of a unified digital super app. This app aims to provide EV users with real-time slot booking, integrated payment systems, charger availability status, and progress dashboards tracking the national deployment of charging stations. Furthermore, BHEL will collaborate with state governments and various ministries to evaluate and compile proposals for charger installations.

A Unified Government Approach

Minister Kumaraswamy emphasised the significance of collaborative federalism in achieving the goals of the PM E-Drive scheme. He stated, "The clean energy transition cannot succeed in silos. This meeting reflects our commitment to working as one government. Ministries, public sector enterprises, and states are all aligned to deliver results on the ground." The initiative is expected to catalyse new industries, generate green employment opportunities, and provide seamless electric mobility solutions to citizens across India.

Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future

The successful implementation of the PM E-Drive scheme is anticipated to significantly reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. By promoting the 'Make in India' initiative in EV infrastructure and laying the groundwork for a net-zero mobility future, India is taking a decisive step towards sustainable development and energy security.