To accelerate the deployment of EV charging infrastructure under the PM E-Drive scheme, Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy convened an inter-ministerial coordination meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Heavy Industries to assess progress and strategise next steps.
The scheme, launched under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aims to build a nationwide EV-ready ecosystem to enable cleaner transport and reduce India’s dependency on fossil fuels.
PM E-Drive aims for faster EV adoption
Approved by the government in September last year, the PM E-Drive scheme is designed to accelerate electric vehicle adoption across India by providing substantial upfront incentives and rapidly expanding the nation’s charging infrastructure. With a financial outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years, the scheme targets a broad range of EVs, including electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, e-buses, and emerging vehicle categories, while also supporting the installation of approximately 72,000 public EV charging stations nationwide.
Kumaraswamy expressed his commitment to building a robust, accessible and future-ready EV ecosystem to ensure energy security, reduce carbon footprint, and empower citizens through green transport. He said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is on the path to becoming a global model for sustainable transport. The PM E-Drive scheme is a transformative initiative aimed at giving our citizens access to clean, affordable, and convenient mobility options. We are not just building infrastructure; we are building the foundation for energy security and green economic growth.”
BHEL may develop unified EV super app to streamline charging
The minister highlighted the crucial role of various stakeholders in implementing the PM E-Drive initiative. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is being considered as the nodal agency responsible for demand aggregation and developing a unified digital super app that will serve as a single platform for EV users across India.
This app will offer features such as real-time slot booking, integrated payment options, charger availability updates, and progress dashboards to monitor the nationwide deployment of charging infrastructure under the PM E-Drive scheme. Additionally, BHEL will coordinate with state governments and central ministries to gather and assess proposals for charger installations.
Kumaraswamy stressed the importance of collaborative federalism and mission convergence, stating, “The clean energy transition cannot succeed in isolation. This meeting demonstrates our commitment to functioning as one unified government. Ministries, public sector enterprises, and states are all aligned to deliver tangible results on the ground. We are confident that PM E-Drive will stimulate new industries, create green jobs, and provide seamless electric mobility for every Indian.”