India is Considering To Build A Super App for EV Users

The PM E-Drive scheme, launched in September 2024, aims to build a nationwide EV-ready ecosystem to enable cleaner transport and reduce India’s dependency on fossil fuels.

Under the PM E-DRIVE, more than 1 million electric 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers have been sold in the 6 months since its launch. 

One part of the PM E-Drive scheme is to enable an EV charging infrastructure in India.

With a financial outlay of Rs 2,000 crore (US$ 230 million), the scheme supports the installation of approximately 72,000 EV public charging stations across the country. 

These stations will be strategically deployed along 50 national highway corridors, within high-traffic destinations such as metro cities, toll plazas, railway stations, airports, fuel outlets, and state highways.

Today, India’s Minister for Heavy Industries, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, chaired an inter-ministerial coordination meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Heavy Industries to review and accelerate the implementation of EV charging infrastructure under the PM E-Drive scheme.

Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is on the path to becoming a global model for sustainable transport. The PM E-Drive scheme is a transformative initiative aimed at giving our citizens access to clean, affordable, and convenient mobility options. We are not just building infrastructure; we are building the foundation for energy security and green economic growth.”

The minister also acknowledged the integrated role of various stakeholders in the execution of this initiative.

India’s largest government-owned industrial technology company, BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited), is being considered as the nodal agency for demand aggregation and for the development of a unified digital super app that will serve as a single platform for EV users across India.

The app will feature real-time slot booking, payment integration, charger availability status, and progress dashboards for tracking national deployment under the PM E-Drive scheme.

BHEL, which is engaged in the design, engineering, manufacturing, construction, testing, commissioning and servicing of a wide range of products, systems and services for the sectors like transportation, renewable energy, oil & gas, and defence, will also coordinate with states and ministries to compile and evaluate proposals for charger installations.

Minister Kumaraswamy emphasized the importance of collaborative federalism and convergence of missions: “The clean energy transition cannot succeed in silos. This meeting reflects our commitment to working as one government. Ministries, public sector enterprises, and states are all aligned to deliver results on the ground. We are confident that PM E-Drive will catalyse new industries, generate green jobs, and offer seamless electric mobility to every Indian.”

The project’s success is expected to significantly reduce India’s carbon emissions from transport, promote Make in India manufacturing in EV infrastructure, and lay the groundwork for a net-zero mobility future.