Indian Government sanctions Rs 800 Crores to Oil companies for EV Charging infrastructure.

The Union Minister of Heavy Industries, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, has announced the sanction of Rs. 800 crores under FAME India Scheme Phase II to the PSU Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) - Indian Oil (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) - for setting up 7,432 public fast charging stations across the country. This move is a significant push towards enhancing the EV charging ecosystem in India.

The installation of the chargers is expected to be completed by March 2024. This development will add to the 6,586 charging stations already in operation across the country. The charging capacity shall be used for charging electric 2-wheelers, 4-wheelers, light commercial vehicles, and mini buses.

IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL have proposed to set up 3,438, 2,334, and 1,660 charging stations, respectively. These charging stations will include upstream infrastructure, such as transformers, grid connectivity, and power supply. The initiative will boost the EV charging infrastructure, providing ease and accessibility to EV owners across the country.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has disbursed the first installment of Rs. 560 crores, which amounts to 70% of the sanctioned Rs. 800 crores, to OMCs - BPCL, IOCL, and HPCL - for the installation and commissioning of EV public charging stations’ upstream infrastructure and charging equipment at their respective retail outlets across the country.

The fast-charging stations will be set up in metros, million-plus cities, smart cities notified by MoHUA, cities in hilly states, highways, and expressways across the country. The initiative aims to provide a seamless and convenient charging experience to EV owners, addressing their anxieties about the range and charging time during intra-city and inter-city travels. The OMC retail outlets, conveniently located in the natural travel routes of motorists, offer a host of amenities such as safety, good illumination, extended working hours, washrooms, and emergency assistance for customer comfort.

One of the primary challenges in EV adoption is the time taken for charging vehicles. The CCS-II type EV charging stations from OMCs with a capacity of 50 KW and above offer efficient and fast charging for EV owners, especially those seeking on-the-go top-up charging. This initiative is expected to boost EV adoption and promote sustainable transportation in India.

According to Dr. Pandey, this development will accelerate the growth of the electric vehicle ecosystem in India and inspire more people to adopt cleaner modes of transportation. He emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable green mobility solutions, reducing carbon emissions, and contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Net Zero mission. This initiative will create a robust and accessible public charging infrastructure network in India, aligning with the government’s objective of reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable transportation options, and supporting the growth of the Indian automotive industry.