Question 1

1. How many public EV charging stations does India have in 2026?

Accepted Answer

As per a Lok Sabha written reply dated 21 July 2026, India has 52,718 public EV charging stations, of which 16,561 are fast chargers for cars. The count is based on data from the BHEL public-charging portal.

Question 2

2. How many of these are fast chargers?

Accepted Answer

16,561 of the 52,718 stations — about 31% — are equipped with fast chargers for cars. The rest are largely AC or slower charging points used for overnight, workplace or destination charging.

Question 3

3. Do you need a license to set up an EV charging station in India?

Accepted Answer

No. Setting up an EV charging station is classified as an un-licensed activity in India — private entrepreneurs, retail landlords and fleet operators can install charging infrastructure without applying for a separate license.

Question 4

4. What is PM E-DRIVE, and how much does it allocate to EV charging infrastructure?

Accepted Answer

PM E-DRIVE (Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement) is a government scheme notified in September 2024 with a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore. It allocates ₹2,000 crore specifically to public EV charging stations (EVPCS), alongside funding for e-bus deployment and other EV incentives.

Question 5

5. What is the GST rate on EV charging in India?

Accepted Answer

GST on EVs and on EV charging equipment/services has been cut to 5%, part of a broader incentive stack that also includes green license plates, permit exemptions for battery-operated vehicles, and state-level road tax waivers on EVs.

Question 6

6. What is the status of India's e-bus tenders as of mid-2026?

Accepted Answer

Under PM E-DRIVE, 14,028 e-buses have been approved, with 13,800 allocated across seven cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat). As of 30 June 2026, Letters of Award have been issued in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Surat, with Concession Agreements signed in Hyderabad and Surat.

e-bus tender india

India Public EV Charging Stations 2026: 52,718 Confirmed, 16,561 Fast Chargers