NHAI To Install EV Charging Stations Along National Highways

The National Highway Authority of India is planning to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along the country’s national highways. 

As India has already set its targets of achieving 70% of all commercial cars, 30% of private cars, 40% of buses, 80% of two-wheeler, and three-wheeler sales to be electric by 2030.  

To boost the EV Infrastructure of the country, the NHAI has recognized around 650 properties across 22 states with a combined area of over 3,000 hectares to develop highways infrastructure, according to the reports. Consequently, the authority has already invited bids for 138 sites out of the 650 sites recognized and received several responses from private entities to help them in this development project. 

Interestingly, out of 650, 94 cities fall alongside the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, 376 sites along new highways and expressways under construction, and around 180 sites along with an existing network of highways across the country.

Also, NHAI will partner with the private sector in the next five years to boost the EV infrastructure and related developments for a long-term goal to be achieved. Additionally, the authority is also planning to enhance commercial spaces such as restaurants, food courts, retail outlets, along national highways to boost infrastructure.

Indian governments, be it state or central, are aggressively encouraging EV adoption in the country. Many states like Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc. have brought up their respective EV Policies 2021 or amended old EV policies to increase EV adoption in their region. These policies comprised various incentives and subsidies on EV purchases, several targets of the states to develop an EV infrastructure, and mandated the state administration’s mode of commute to be electric. 

Recently in February this year, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today launched the ‘Go Electric’ campaign of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to promote and spread awareness on electric mobility, EV charging infrastructure, and clean and safe electric cooking in India. In the same month, the Delhi government launched a 6-months campaign called ‘Switch Delhi’ to spread an awareness program to promote the public to adopt EVs in the state.

Although, achieving the target of 2030 is not an easy task to accomplish. According to a report by Grant Thornton Bharat-Ficci, India needs around four lakh charging stations for 20 lakh EVs by the year 2026. Also, India needs to focus on key points, including increasing government support, decreasing the cost of technology, and distressing pollution levels to accelerate this transition.

However, there is a silver lining of hope as, according to a report by techARC, a new-age technology market research firm, EVs took over 1.3 percent of total vehicle sales in India in the fiscal year (FY) 20-21.

Now, how well India’s governments bring policies to increase EV adoption and how well and soon the public recognizes them and adopts EVs.