Experts Call for Public-Private Investment to Accelerate EV Charging Infrastructure in India

India continues to make strides in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, the urgent need to enhance its fast-charging infrastructure has taken centre stage. At the India EV Fast Charging Summit in New Delhi, organised by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), industry experts underscored the necessity of robust public and private investments to meet the growing demand for EV charging stations. With over 4 million electric vehicles now on Indian roads, the focus has shifted to the critical next step: building a nationwide network of fast chargers.

The government’s ambitious PM e-Drive scheme, which is designed to promote the installation of public EV charging stations (EVPCS), received significant attention at the summit. With an allocation of ₹2,000 crore, the scheme aims to deploy 22,100 fast chargers for electric four-wheelers, 1,800 for e-buses, and 48,400 for e-two-wheelers and e-three-wheelers. Debi Prasad Dash, President of IESA, noted that aligning central and state-level schemes with state-wise demand will optimize deployment. However, industry leaders like Awadhesh Jha, Executive Director of GLIDA, have raised concerns about the adequacy of the ₹2,000 crore allocation, pointing out that this amount might not be enough to scale up infrastructure effectively. He suggested that funds should also be directed towards enhancing the electricity distribution network to make charging points more accessible.

Estimates indicate that India will need between $20 billion to $50 billion to meet the demands of its EV infrastructure, a gap that can only be bridged through collaborative efforts between public and private stakeholders. Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director of CES India, highlighted the importance of this partnership to ensure the rapid growth of the sector. Power supply reliability, especially outside urban centres, was also discussed. Shiraz Khanna, CFO of Exicom, stressed the need to upgrade transformer and grid infrastructure to support the increasing demand for EVs, particularly in rural areas. This is vital for ensuring that EV adoption extends beyond major cities to the wider population.

As India aims to achieve 30% EV adoption by 2030, industry leaders are calling for policy reforms such as reductions in custom duties, GST, and taxes on imported EV components. These steps, they argue, will lower costs, foster local manufacturing, and create job opportunities. Additionally, the government’s MAHA programme, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat R&D Fund (ANRF), was recognised as a vital initiative to support indigenous research and development, particularly in charging infrastructure. The summit concluded with a call for a unified, strategic approach to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles. By fostering public-private partnerships, investing in fast-charging infrastructure, and strengthening the electricity grid, India can create a sustainable EV ecosystem that supports green mobility and drives long-term economic growth. With the right policies and investments, India can lead the way in clean, green transportation.