IBNS-CMEDIA: The Indian government has approved proposals to install 1,243 electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Karnataka, with a total financial outlay of ₹123.26 crore.
Addressing the Conference on Enabling Nationwide EV Charging Infrastructure under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme in Bengaluru, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy said Bengaluru has emerged as one of India’s leading EV charging hubs.
He urged other states to actively participate in accelerating the country’s transition towards clean and sustainable mobility.
The Minister also noted that proposals worth ₹503.86 crore have been approved so far for the installation of 4,874 EV chargers across various states and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
These approved proposals include major CPSEs such as Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), along with states including Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Kumaraswamy said India is steadily advancing towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 while remaining firmly committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. He added that the government’s focus on sustainability, innovation, and scale has significantly transformed India’s approach to mobility and energy.
The Minister highlighted that India’s automotive sector contributes over 7% to the country’s GDP, accounts for nearly half of manufacturing GDP, and supports around 30 million jobs, making it a key pillar in the nation’s clean mobility transition.
He also outlined several major initiatives launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to strengthen India’s position as a global hub for future mobility technologies.
These include the ₹18,100 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery manufacturing, the ₹25,938 crore PLI Auto Scheme promoting cleaner and alternative fuel vehicles, and the recently launched ₹7,280 crore Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) scheme aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing import dependence.
Describing the PM E-DRIVE scheme as a cornerstone of India’s EV transformation, Kumaraswamy said the ₹10,900 crore initiative is driving the adoption of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, and trucks while simultaneously strengthening nationwide charging infrastructure. He added that ₹2,000 crore has been specifically allocated for public EV charging infrastructure across the country.
The Minister also highlighted the role of Oil Marketing Companies such as BPCL, IOCL, and HPCL in expanding charging networks. Under the FAME-II scheme, these companies have installed 8,932 EV chargers nationwide with ₹873.5 crore in government support. Of these, 721 chargers have been installed in Karnataka alone.
