(LiveMint)
The Union government plans to provide ₹1,000 crore as subsidy for building a nationwide charging infrastructure for electric vehicles as it seeks to expedite the roll-out of India’s ambitious EV programme, said two people aware of the development on condition of anonymity.
The ministry of heavy industries (MHI) is drafting a cabinet note on the ways and means to set up the infrastructure as the government seeks to allay consumer concerns on how to charge such vehicles especially on cross-country highways. According to the draft reviewed by Mint, the government plans to have 1,000 charging stations across the country especially on major highways such as Delhi-Chandigarh, Delhi-Mumbai, and Mumbai-Surat-Pune stretch.
A charging station will be installed at every 25km on these highways, according to the note prepared by the Department of Heavy Industry. There will be additional focus on cities with population exceeding 4 million. A DHI spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to emailed queries seeking comment.
