How Many EV Charging Stations Are Operational in India's Tier 2 Cities?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 4,625 EV charging stations in tier 2 cities as of April 2025.
- PM E-DRIVE Scheme has allocated Rs. 2,000 crore for EV charging infrastructure.
- 8,932 EVPCS to be installed by oil marketing companies under FAME-II.
- Electric vehicle fleet growth from 5,000 units in FY21 to over 1.07 lakh units in FY25.
- Incentives for 5,600 e-trucks under PM E-DRIVE initiative.
New Delhi, July 30 (NationPress) The government has reported that there are currently 4,625 EV charging stations functioning in the tier 2 cities of India as of April 1, 2025.
Furthermore, a substantial amount of Rs. 2,000 crore has been earmarked under the Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme aimed at establishing public charging stations for electric vehicles (EV PCS) throughout India, particularly in tier 2 cities within Tamil Nadu. This information was provided by Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, in a formal response in the Lok Sabha.
Launched in October 2024, the PM E-DRIVE initiative seeks to boost the adoption of electric vehicles by offering demand incentives and enhancing charging infrastructure across the country. The government has committed Rs 10,900 crore for subsidies associated with EVs under this program.
The minister emphasized that establishing electric vehicle charging stations is classified as an unlicensed activity, allowing private entrepreneurs to install these stations. He noted that the installation of EV charging stations is driven by demand, and thus, no specific targets can be established as the installation rate depends on multiple factors, including EV market penetration.
The government has allocated Rs. 873.50 crore for the setup of 8,932 EVPCS by three oil marketing companies (OMCs) - IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL - under the FAME-II Scheme.
Looking ahead, the penetration of electric car sales is projected to exceed 7 percent by FY 28, contingent upon the prompt resolution of rare earth element (REE) supply chain disruptions and the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance charging infrastructure.
India's electric vehicle fleet expanded significantly, growing from just over 5,000 units in FY21 to more than 1.07 lakh units in FY25. Over the past three years, the nation's public EV charging stations have surged from 5,151 to 26,000.
Earlier this month, the government unveiled an innovative scheme to offer financial incentives for electric trucks (e-trucks) under the PM E-DRIVE initiative, with the maximum incentive reaching Rs 9.6 lakh per vehicle.
This program is anticipated to facilitate the deployment of approximately 5,600 e-trucks nationwide.