Search: National Highways

Uttar Pradesh has placed 10th nationally in NITI Aayog's India Electric Mobility Index 2024, scoring above the national average, yet faces significant gaps in charging readiness and incentives. The state's UP EVMMP 2022 policy, effective until October 2027, targets a 3 km by 3 km charging grid in cities and stations every 25 km on expressways and highways, though progress toward these infrastructure goals remains slow. Lucknow aims for 100 per cent electric public transport by 2030.

Why it matters: Uttar Pradesh's ambitious grid targets and public transport electrification deadline signal substantial future procurement opportunities, but the slow rollout of charging infrastructure highlights execution risk for CPOs and suppliers bidding on state tenders. The policy framework offers a clear roadmap for network deployment, yet limited private uptake and incentive gaps may constrain near term demand and project viability.

A policy dialogue hosted by Indus Consortium in Pakistan has called for a stable long term electric vehicle framework and expanded charging infrastructure to support the country's New Energy Vehicle Policy 2025 to 2030. The policy targets 30% electrification of all new vehicle sales by 2030, with a specific 50% electrification target for two wheelers, three wheelers and buses. Speakers emphasised that charging and battery swapping infrastructure must extend beyond highways into cities, residential areas and rural regions, and that the national grid requires upgrading and stronger integration with renewable energy.

Why it matters: The dialogue highlights infrastructure gaps that charging point operators and grid planners must address to meet Pakistan's ambitious 2030 electrification targets, particularly the need for urban and rural charging networks beyond highway corridors. A stable policy framework is critical for private sector investment in charging infrastructure and for financial institutions backing EV deployment.

A policy dialogue hosted by Indus Consortium in Pakistan has called for a stable long term electric vehicle framework and expanded charging infrastructure to support the country's New Energy Vehicle Policy 2025 to 2030. The policy targets 30% electrification of all new vehicle sales by 2030, with a specific 50% electrification target for two wheelers, three wheelers and buses. Speakers emphasised that charging and battery swapping infrastructure must extend beyond highways into cities, residential areas and rural regions, and that the national grid requires upgrading and stronger integration with renewable energy.

Why it matters: The dialogue highlights infrastructure gaps that charging point operators and grid planners must address to meet Pakistan's ambitious 2030 electrification targets, particularly the need for urban and rural charging networks beyond existing highway corridors. A stable policy framework is critical for private sector investment in charging infrastructure and for financial institutions backing EV deployment.

Pulse Energy has become one of the first certified technology enablers for Unified Bharat eCharge (UBC), a nationwide interoperable EV charging network launched by India's Ministry of Heavy Industries, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and the National Payments Corporation of India. The system allows EV users to discover participating charging stations and pay via UPI through the BHIM app by scanning a QR code, removing the need for separate operator accounts or prepaid wallets. Pulse Energy will support charge point operators in integrating existing infrastructure and help application providers connect to the UBC network, with the initial rollout covering cities and national highways.

Why it matters: The integration of over 10,000 chargers into a single interoperable payment platform addresses fragmentation in India's EV charging market, potentially simplifying procurement decisions for CPOs by standardising payment infrastructure. Operators can retain existing hardware while gaining access to a unified national network, reducing barriers to participation in government backed charging schemes.

National Highways has opened premarket engagement on a £228m contract to expand electricity network capacity at motorway service areas across England, supporting ultra-rapid EV charging rollout. Developed with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, the scheme targets a subset of 116 MSAs, with individual sites requiring new connection capacity ranging from 5 to 50 MVA at 132kV, 33kV or 11kV. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2028, with tender publication expected on 4 January 2027.

Why it matters: This represents one of the UK's largest grid infrastructure procurements dedicated to EV charging, creating opportunities for NERS accredited suppliers to deliver high voltage connection assets. The scale and timeline signal government commitment to removing grid capacity constraints that currently limit rapid charger deployment at strategic motorway locations.

The Bangladesh Road Transport and Highways Division is developing a project to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure and a battery recycling plant by 2030, supported by 23 crore taka in grants from the United Nations Development Programme out of a total 25.35 crore taka budget. The initiative will initially install four superfast charging stations with 300 to 500 kilowatt capacity at Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation depots, each capable of charging 20 buses simultaneously, targeting electric buses, motorcycles and three wheelers. The draft development project proposal awaits approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council following a 28 June meeting of the Special Project Evaluation Committee.

Why it matters: This represents a significant public sector procurement opportunity in Bangladesh's nascent EV charging market, with defined technical specifications for high power depot charging and a clear timeline for tender release once the proposal gains national approval. The UNDP grant structure and focus on workforce training may influence equipment sourcing and installation partner selection for operators eyeing South Asian expansion.

Haryana's distribution companies DHBVN and UHBVN have been directed by Managing Director Vikram Singh to identify government land and institutional premises for public EV charging stations under the central PM E-DRIVE scheme. Fast-charging sites will require a minimum of 60 square metres in urban areas and 300 square metres along national and state highways, serving vehicles from two-wheelers to trucks. UHBVN has been designated the state nodal agency for implementation, while the transport department oversees installation and monitoring under a framework in place since February 2024.

Why it matters: The land mapping exercise signals a coordinated public sector push to unlock sites for charging infrastructure at scale, creating procurement opportunities for CPOs and equipment suppliers across government and highway locations. Dedicated electricity connection rules and delicensed status for public charging lower barriers to deployment, accelerating the pipeline for turnkey and concession contracts in Haryana.

At the Fleet Electrification Forum, National Highways' Russell Fowler said battery electric is clearly the way forward for logistics decarbonisation, citing progress under the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator project. Flexible Power Systems' Michael Ayres noted increasing confidence that volume can overcome scaling challenges but warned of a chicken and egg problem in signalling demand for charging infrastructure, urging the sector to adopt decade long planning similar to data centres.

Why it matters: The endorsement of battery electric HGVs by National Highways and calls for clearer demand signals underline the urgency for charge point operators and infrastructure planners to commit to long term roadmaps that can unlock the commercial case for depot and en route HGV charging networks.

Electric commercial vehicle manufacturer Montra Electric has signed two separate Memoranda of Understanding with India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to participate in a fleet modernization programme across the Delhi National Capital Region. The agreements, signed independently by the company's Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicle and Small Commercial Vehicle divisions, align with the central government's infrastructure support scheme under the National Capital Region Planning Board policy framework. The programme aims to replace older, high emission diesel trucks and buses with zero emission electric commercial vehicles, targeting logistics companies, corporate fleet operators, and transport businesses in one of India's most polluted urban corridors.

Why it matters: The structured government backed programme creates a defined procurement pipeline for electric commercial vehicle charging infrastructure across the Delhi NCR region, as fleet operators transition from diesel to electric. CPOs and charging providers can anticipate demand for depot charging solutions tailored to medium, heavy, and small commercial vehicle segments serving logistics and corporate fleets.

India's PM E-Drive scheme will deliver 498 EV charging stations along national highways in Tamil Nadu, according to DT Next. The rollout forms part of the central government's programme to expand charging infrastructure across the country. No timeline or budget details were disclosed in the report.

Why it matters: A 498-station pipeline on major corridors signals substantial procurement opportunities for charge-point operators and equipment suppliers targeting India's highway network. The scale of the PM E-Drive deployment will shape tender volumes and site-acquisition strategies in Tamil Nadu over the coming months.

National Highways and Galliford Try are using a hydrogen fuel cell generator to power the construction compound for a £7 million pedestrian crossing project at the A5036 Dunnings Bridge Road and Park Lane crossroads in Netherton, Bootle. The system has supplied electricity to three site offices, toilets, a kitchen, a drying room and two EV charging points since work began in November, with completion due by 12 June. Chief operating officer Duncan Smith described it as a pilot project that could become standard practice as the technology becomes more affordable compared to diesel generators or grid connections.

Why it matters: The trial demonstrates how hydrogen fuel cells can support EV charging infrastructure on construction sites where grid connections are unavailable or impractical. If adopted more widely by National Highways and its supply chain, the approach could create demand for mobile hydrogen generation alongside temporary EV charging installations on major road projects.

V. Umashankar, Secretary at India's Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has outlined plans to modernise the country's 64 lakh kilometre road network through AI based tolling, expanded EV charging infrastructure and high speed expressways. National Highways carry 52 per cent of road freight despite representing only 2.3 per cent of total road length, with current freight vehicle speeds averaging 35 to 40 kilometres per hour compared to 80 to 90 kilometres per hour in the USA. The initiatives form part of the government's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, as detailed in an interview with Indian Masterminds.

Why it matters: National policy backing for EV charging networks along India's arterial highways signals procurement opportunities for charge point operators and equipment suppliers targeting freight and long distance corridors. Faster freight speeds and green highway mandates will shape tender specifications for roadside infrastructure over the next two decades.

Indian engineering software firm SoftTech Engineers Limited has partnered with National Highway EV Infrastructure (NHEV) to launch India's first single-window approval system for EV charging stations, fuel stations and highway-side amenities along national highways. The system, powered by SoftTech's Civit technology platform, uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to integrate the entire project lifecycle and will serve three stakeholder groups: facility allottees developing EV and roadside infrastructure, landowners offering highway-adjacent lands, and service providers supplying equipment and operational services. The platform aims to streamline approvals through a unified digital interface.

Why it matters: A centralised digital approval system could significantly accelerate the deployment of highway charging infrastructure in India by reducing bureaucratic delays and providing transparency across the development process. For charge point operators and equipment suppliers, the platform offers a clearer pathway to securing sites and approvals along India's national highway network.

The Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited has extended the Expression of Interest deadline for landowners and commercial establishments to develop EV charging stations in Hyderabad, Greater Warangal, Patancheruvu, Sangareddy, Karimnagar and Nalgonda. Under Category C of the PM E-Drive initiative, the Government of India is offering an 80 per cent subsidy for upstream infrastructure, with eligible sites requiring a minimum of 200 square yards along national highways or major state highways.

Why it matters: The extended deadline and substantial 80 per cent subsidy create a fresh procurement window for charge point operators and infrastructure suppliers targeting six priority cities in Telangana. Landowners and commercial property holders now have more time to submit proposals, potentially expanding the pipeline of publicly accessible charging sites in locations selected under the National Clean Air Programme and Smart Cities Mission.

Motorway Service Area operator Moto Hospitality will quadruple its EV charging bays over the next few years, including 15 eHGV superhub sites with up to 100 bays each. The expansion follows new 75+ year lease extensions with the Department for Transport and National Highways covering 10 sites, unlocking a planned £500 million investment programme. Moto has already installed more than 1,000 ultra rapid charging bays in the past five years and has received planning consent for a new motorway service area at Swindon and a truck stop at Wrotham in Kent.

Why it matters: The 75+ year lease certainty creates a major procurement pipeline for charge point suppliers and contractors, with 15 dedicated HGV superhubs addressing a critical gap in freight electrification infrastructure. The £500 million commitment signals sustained demand for ultra rapid hardware, grid connections, and site works across strategic motorway locations.

The French government has unveiled a master plan to deploy around 30,000 fast-charging points on its state-owned road network by 2035, comprising roughly 22,000 passenger-car chargers at 150 kW and 8,000 dedicated truck chargers. The network, which covers approximately 20,000 kilometres of motorways and national highways and carries one-third of France's traffic, currently hosts around 4,500 charging points across 420 service areas. Officials say the plan represents a fivefold increase in capacity over ten years, with rollout speed set to double compared to the past five years.

Why it matters: The commitment to 8,000 truck chargers marks one of Europe's first large-scale heavy-duty charging programmes, opening a significant procurement pipeline for high-power equipment and grid connections. CPOs and suppliers targeting long-distance and freight corridors will face accelerated tender cycles as France doubles its deployment pace on high-traffic routes.

Wisconsin's Department of Transportation has built 21 charging stations under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programme, which allocated roughly 78 million dollars to the state in 2022 for 78 planned sites along major highways. Secretary Kristina Boardman told Wisconsin Public Radio that the state is targeting interstate corridors to ensure drivers remain within 50 miles of a high speed charging point, with construction progress tracked on a public online dashboard.

Why it matters: The 27 per cent completion rate after four years signals slower than expected NEVI rollout in a mid sized US state, offering procurement teams and charge point operators a benchmark for federally funded corridor projects. Wisconsin's public dashboard provides transparency on site selection and delivery timelines that can inform bidding strategies for similar state programmes.

Central government car and van fleets, including arm's length bodies such as National Highways and the Environment Agency, must reach 100% zero emission by 2027 under a Government mandate, three years before the 2030 phase out of new petrol and diesel sales. The 2025 Fleet200 Strategy Network Report found that more than two thirds of the 34 public sector fleets surveyed identified electrification as their biggest challenge, with budgets failing to keep pace with inflation affecting both capital and operational expenditure. The 2027 target does not apply to local authorities.

Why it matters: The accelerated 2027 deadline for central government fleets creates a concentrated procurement window for charging infrastructure and fleet electrification services, particularly for organisations operating under nationwide frameworks. Budget constraints amid inflation add pressure on public sector tenders, potentially shaping pricing and contract structures across the CPO market.

National Highways has erected misleading electric vehicle charging signage at Liphook Services on the A3, according to the Haslemere Herald. The agency appears to have installed incorrect directional or informational signs for EV charging facilities at the motorway service area. The error highlights ongoing challenges in standardising wayfinding for charging infrastructure on England's strategic road network.

Why it matters: Accurate signage is critical for driver confidence and utilisation rates at motorway charging hubs. Procurement teams and site operators must ensure that highway authorities coordinate signage specifications with actual charging layouts to avoid confusion and underuse of installed capacity.

The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation has released a report titled Rolling out Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Advice for Local Authorities, offering practical guidance on strategy, planning, delivery and long term operation of public charging networks. The report, developed through national evidence, expert workshops and engagement with councils, industry partners and user groups, argues that early public provision unlocks private investment and builds confidence in EV uptake, and calls for chargepoint access to be treated as a public service meeting or exceeding PAS 1899 accessibility standards. It also highlights ongoing challenges including grid capacity limits and power upgrade delays.

Why it matters: The guidance gives local authorities a structured framework for procuring and deploying public charging infrastructure at scale, emphasising that public sector leadership can de-risk private investment. For CPOs and contractors, the report's focus on accessibility standards and long term operational contracts signals clearer specification requirements in upcoming council tenders.

InstaVolt, Chargy, Electric Vehicles UK and Octopus Electric Vehicles have responded to an Office for Zero Emission Vehicles survey urging the Government to mandate clear, consistent signage for EV charge points across motorways, A roads and residential streets. InstaVolt's 2025 consumer polling found that more than half of drivers actively look for roadside signs to find EV chargers, and nearly nine in 10 say clear physical signage is important to them. The operators want National Highways and local authorities to treat EV charging on an equal footing with petrol stations in national road sign regulations.

Why it matters: Standardised signage could reduce site invisibility for charge point operators who have installed infrastructure but lack regulatory parity with fuel forecourts, potentially improving utilisation and driver confidence. The OZEV call for evidence signals possible regulatory change that could affect how CPOs plan site visibility and local authority wayfinding obligations.

Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation has opened the Community Charging phase of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programme, allocating $100 million in federal funds for public chargers in towns and cities rather than highways. The rollout begins in southeastern Pennsylvania (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties) with around $34 million available, with local transport planning agencies prioritising sites and any publicly accessible location eligible to apply. This follows $54 million already committed through NEVI, which has delivered 29 federally funded stations (built or under construction for about $17 million) and another 54 in planning or construction, with the first NEVI station opening in December 2023 and supporting over 80,000 charging sessions to date.

Why it matters: The shift from highway corridors to community sites opens procurement opportunities for CPOs and developers in urban and suburban locations across Pennsylvania's five initial counties. With regional funding rounds planned and a state survey connecting property owners to operators, the programme signals a structured pipeline for site hosts and charging companies targeting publicly accessible installations.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has scaled back its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure programme from a planned 41 charging stations to 18, citing new federal guidance that permits flexible use of its $109 million NEVI allocation. Secretary Daniel Johnson said the revised approach will prioritise communities, rural areas and highways where charging is most needed, rather than the original interstate and highway focus. The state confirmed its efforts will not compete with private infrastructure.

Why it matters: A sharp reduction in planned NEVI sites signals tighter geographic targeting and may open more rural corridors to tender, while the $109 million envelope remains intact for fewer, potentially larger installations. CPOs and contractors should watch for revised solicitation scopes that emphasise underserved areas over high traffic routes.

A lawsuit victory has unfrozen the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) programme, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aims to build a cross-country interstate charging network along US highways. Since 2022, funds have been allocated to state Departments of Transportation, with $679 million earmarked for five Southeast states: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The programme addresses the interdependence of EV adoption and charging infrastructure, particularly for long-distance travel beyond the 80% of charging that occurs at home.

Why it matters: The release of NEVI funds reopens procurement opportunities for charging point operators and suppliers across US states, with nearly $680 million now available for highway corridor projects in the Southeast alone. State DOTs can now advance approved infrastructure plans, creating contract pipelines for fast-charging station deployment along interstate routes.

ADNOC Distribution has inaugurated a 60 point ultra-fast EV charging hub at Saih Shuaib on the E11 highway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, capable of charging most EVs from 0 to 80 per cent in approximately 20 minutes. The site is the sixth largest superfast EV charging hub in the world and the largest in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. ADNOC Distribution plans to open 20 EV charging hubs by the end of 2027, with 15 expected by the end of 2026, covering all core UAE national highways.

Why it matters: The 60 point mega hub and 20 site highway rollout represent significant procurement opportunities for ultra-fast charging equipment suppliers and EPC contractors in the Gulf region. The accelerated timeline to 2027 signals urgent demand for turnkey charging infrastructure across the UAE's strategic road network.