Nearly two years after launching the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme, the Indian government has approved 6,562 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country. However, none of these charging stations has been installed yet, according to information shared by the Ministry of Heavy Industries in the Lok Sabha. The disclosure highlights the gap between India’s rapid electric vehicle adoption and the pace of charging infrastructure development, even as the Centre continues to push for wider EV adoption.
Despite the delay in charger deployment, the PM E-DRIVE scheme has supported the sale of 2.65 million electric vehicles as of July 22, 2026. Maharashtra leads the country with around 428,000 supported EVs, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The government maintains that the scheme remains on track to achieve its long-term objective of accelerating electric mobility through incentives for EV purchases, charging infrastructure, and advanced battery technologies.
6,562 EV Charging Stations Approved, None Operational
Responding to a parliamentary query, the Ministry of Heavy Industries said:
- 6,562 public EV charging stations have been approved under PM E-DRIVE.
- No charging stations have been installed yet.
- The charging infrastructure component is still in the implementation phase.
PM E-DRIVE Charging Infrastructure
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Charging Stations Approved | 6,562 |
| Charging Stations Installed | 0 |
| Scheme | PM E-DRIVE |
| Launch | 2024 |
PM E-DRIVE Has Supported 2.65 Million EV Sales
While charging infrastructure is yet to be deployed, vehicle adoption under the scheme has accelerated.
As of July 22, 2026:
- 2.65 million EVs have received support under PM E-DRIVE.
- Maharashtra recorded the highest number of supported EVs.
- Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu followed among the top-performing states.
Top States by Supported EVs
| State | Supported EVs |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 428,000 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 278,000 |
| Karnataka | 267,000 |
| Tamil Nadu | 259,000 |
Electric Two-Wheelers Continue to Dominate
Electric two-wheelers remain the biggest beneficiaries of the scheme.
According to the ministry:
- 2.379 million electric two-wheelers have been supported against a target of 2.479 million.
- Around 268,000 L5 electric three-wheelers have received incentives.
- 6,547 e-rickshaws and e-carts have also been supported.
- Only 55 electric trucks have received incentives against a target of 5,643.
- No e-ambulances have been supported so far despite a target of 3,811 vehicles.
Progress Across Vehicle Categories
| Vehicle Segment | Progress |
|---|---|
| Electric Two-Wheelers | 2.379 million supported |
| L5 Electric Three-Wheelers | 268,000 supported |
| E-rickshaws & E-carts | 6,547 supported |
| Electric Trucks | 55 supported |
| E-ambulances | No vehicles supported |
₹2,322 Crore Utilised So Far
The PM E-DRIVE scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹10,900 crore for the period from April 2024 to March 2028.
The government informed Parliament that:
- ₹2,322 crore has been released.
- The allocated amount has been fully utilised.
- Unlike the earlier FAME schemes, PM E-DRIVE does not allocate funds on a state-wise basis.
In addition, the Centre has earmarked ₹2,000 crore specifically for expanding public EV charging infrastructure under the scheme.
Charging Infrastructure Remains India’s Biggest Challenge
India’s EV adoption has grown rapidly, but charging infrastructure has struggled to keep pace.
Recent government data shows:
- India has crossed 10 million registered EVs.
- The country currently has more than 52,700 operational public charging stations under various initiatives.
- The PM E-DRIVE charging stations approved under the latest scheme are yet to become operational.
Industry experts believe faster deployment of charging stations will be critical for increasing EV adoption, particularly for passenger cars, buses, and commercial vehicles where charging availability remains a major concern.
Looking Ahead
The latest update from the government highlights both the progress and the challenges of India’s electric mobility transition. While the PM E-DRIVE scheme has already supported 2.65 million EV sales, the absence of operational charging stations under the programme underscores the need for faster infrastructure execution. With 6,562 charging stations approved but none yet installed, bridging the gap between vehicle adoption and charging availability will be essential for sustaining long-term EV growth.
Looking ahead, successful implementation of the charging infrastructure component, alongside continued incentives for electric vehicles and advanced batteries, will play a crucial role in improving consumer confidence and accelerating India’s transition to cleaner transportation. As EV adoption expands across states, timely deployment of charging networks will determine whether the country can meet its ambitious electrification goals.
Get the day’s top stories in your inbox
One concise email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
