India’s PM E-DRIVE scheme had approved ₹851 crore for 8,147 public EV chargers by September 28, 2026, according to a government backgrounder released by the Press Information Bureau on October 1, 2026. The approvals cover three oil marketing companies and ten states. The scheme has ₹2,000 crore set aside for public charging stations, so about 43% of that budget is now committed.
Key Takeaways
- PM E-DRIVE approved ₹851 crore for 8,147 public chargers by September 28, 2026.
- Approvals grew by 1,585 chargers since July 1, 2026.
- About ₹1,149 crore of the ₹2,000 crore charging earmark remains unallocated.
- The scheme runs until March 31, 2028 with a total outlay of ₹11,900 crore.
Key Figures
| Item | July 1, 2026 | September 28, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Funds approved for public chargers | ₹689 crore | ₹851 crore |
| Chargers approved | 6,562 | 8,147 |
| Recipients | 3 oil marketing companies, 9 states | 3 oil marketing companies, 10 states |
That is 1,585 more chargers and ₹162 crore more in under three months (EVDANCE calculation from the two official figures).
The Wider Scheme
- Total outlay: ₹11,900 crore, with the scheme extended to March 31, 2028.
- Public charging earmark: ₹2,000 crore.
- EV sales supported: 26.59 lakh (about 2.66 million) as of June 2026, against support for about 28.30 lakh.
- E-buses: ₹4,391 crore for 14,028 e-buses; 14,000 allocated, 13,800 of them to seven cities.
- Testing agencies: ₹780 crore for upgrades.
- EV share of sales: 8.26% in FY2025-26, up from 0.08% in FY2015-16.
What It Means
About ₹1,149 crore of the charging earmark is still unallocated, and the scheme now runs to 2028. Approved chargers are going to oil marketing companies and state governments, which typically buy through tenders. Suppliers and installers should follow state nodal agencies and tender portals rather than expect retail demand from this money.
India’s fleet is dominated by two- and three-wheelers, so many public sites mix low-power AC points with DC units for cars and buses. For mixed sites, our commercial EV charging range includes AC stations and the compact EV-RHDC30K-L DC charger. Local standards and certification apply; check them with the tendering authority before bidding.
Related Reading
- EV Charging News: India Passes 29,000 Public Charging Stations, Six Times the 2022 Level
- How to Open an EV Charging Station: Step by Step
- How Much Do Commercial EV Chargers Cost?
