India proposes automaker led model to deploy EV charging on 60 priority highway corridors
By Eve
India's Ministry of Heavy Industries has identified 60 priority corridors for electrification and proposed that automakers divide responsibility for deploying charging infrastructure along assigned highway stretches, aiming to saturate key routes within two to three years. Secretary Kamran Rizvi told the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers annual session that nearly half of mapped charging stations are currently non-functional. The ministry holds a Rs 2,000 crore corpus for charging infrastructure that could be extended to automakers, while charging depots are planned across 160 cities to support bus electrification.
Why it matters: The shift from direct government subsidy to industry led infrastructure deployment signals a new procurement model for highway charging, with OEMs potentially becoming anchor clients or partners for CPOs on specific corridor contracts. The Rs 2,000 crore fund and 160 city depot programme represent concrete near term opportunities for charging operators willing to work within an automaker coordinated framework.