Despite significant allocations under the new PM E-DRIVE scheme, India has yet to disburse any funds for the expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) charging network. According to a recent statement in the Rajya Sabha, ₹688.84 crore has been approved for establishing 6,562 public EV charging stations across the country, but the expenditure remains at zero.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, informed the Rajya Sabha that the government had earmarked a total of ₹2,000 crore under the PM E-DRIVE scheme for public EV charging infrastructure development. While proposals amounting to ₹688.84 crore have received sanction, the actual implementation and financial outlay are still pending.
Transition from FAME-II to PM E-DRIVE
This new focus on PM E-DRIVE follows the near completion of spending under the government's earlier FAME-II program. Under FAME-II, ₹912.50 crore was allocated to support the installation of 9,332 public EV charging stations nationwide, including key highway corridors. Of this, a substantial ₹898.37 crore has already been utilized, indicating a successful deployment phase for the previous scheme.
Future Outlook for EV Infrastructure Funding
Government sources suggest that the pace of expenditure under the PM E-DRIVE scheme is expected to accelerate in the coming months. Officials are reportedly coordinating closely with implementing agencies and other stakeholders to expedite the installation process for these crucial public EV charging stations across India.
The successful rollout of the PM E-DRIVE scheme is vital for supporting the growing adoption of electric vehicles and achieving India's ambitious clean mobility targets. Timely disbursement of approved funds will be critical to transforming these plans into tangible infrastructure.