Bengaluru, May 12: Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy announced on Tuesday that Karnataka will install 1,243 electric vehicle (EV) chargers under the PM e-Drive scheme, with an investment of ₹123.26 crores.
While addressing a conference aimed at enhancing nationwide EV charging infrastructure, Kumaraswamy highlighted that Bengaluru has emerged as one of India’s leading EV charging hubs.
He noted that proposals worth ₹503.86 crores have already been approved for the installation of 4,874 EV chargers across various states and central public sector enterprises. The approved proposals include contributions from public sector oil companies such as HPCL, IOC, and BPCL, as well as states like Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Kumaraswamy emphasized India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2047, aligning with the vision of a developed India. The Prime Minister’s focus on sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity has fundamentally transformed India’s mobility and energy landscape.
The minister pointed out that the automotive sector contributes over 7% to the country’s GDP, accounting for nearly half of the manufacturing GDP and supporting approximately 30 million livelihoods, making it central to India’s clean mobility transition.
He acknowledged the role of public sector oil marketing companies, including BPCL, IOC, and HPCL, in expanding charging infrastructure nationwide. Under the FAME-II scheme, these companies have installed 8,932 EV chargers across the country with a subsidy support of ₹873.5 crores from the Heavy Industries Ministry, including 721 chargers in Karnataka alone.
Kumaraswamy also praised the contributions of charge point operators and industry players like Tata Power, ChargeZone, and Mahindra & Mahindra in strengthening India’s EV ecosystem through innovation and implementation capabilities.
He mentioned that work is underway on a national integrated EV charging app, Unified Bharat E-Charge (UBC), aimed at enabling EV users to find, use, and pay for multiple operators’ charging networks through a single reliable interface.
Comparing the potential impact of digital payments through UPI, he stated that this initiative will significantly enhance India’s EV charging ecosystem.
The minister highlighted several key initiatives launched by the Heavy Industries Ministry to position India as a global hub for future mobility technologies. These include the ₹18,100 crore PLI ACC scheme for battery cell manufacturing, the ₹25,938 crore PLI auto scheme promoting clean vehicles, including electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, and the recently launched ₹7,280 crore REPM scheme aimed at achieving self-reliance in rare earth magnet manufacturing.
Describing the PM e-Drive scheme as the cornerstone of India’s electric vehicle transformation, Kumaraswamy stated that this ₹10,900 crore initiative is accelerating the adoption of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, and trucks while simultaneously establishing a robust nationwide EV charging infrastructure.
He further mentioned that ₹2,000 crores have been specifically allocated for expanding public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles across the country.
Kumaraswamy concluded by stating that the Heavy Industries Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Power, state governments, and industry stakeholders, is working to ensure grid readiness, standardization, and digital integration to support the rapid growth of electric mobility in the country.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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