Karnataka leads the country with 5,059 public EV charging stations, outperforming Maharashtra and Delhi. Bengaluru Urban District has the most stations, including 4,281, making up 85% of the state’s charging infrastructure. Other states with a remarkable number of EV public charging points include Kerala 1,958, Tamil Nadu 1,643, Uttar Pradesh 1,583, and Rajasthan- with 500 public charging points. Established by private firms and public sector undertakings, the country’s public charging stations are integral to EV infrastructure.
EV Infrastructure Development in Karnataka
Data from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency shows Karnataka as the first state to introduce an EV policy in 2017. Meanwhile, UP has the most EVs at 7.45 lakh vehicles, Maharashtra has 4.15 lakh EVs, and Karnataka has 3.31 lakh EVs. In Karnataka, Bengaluru Urban district accounts for 85% of the state’s charging infrastructure.At the same time, there is a significant increase in EV adoption in Karnataka, with registered EVs rising from 9,703 in 2020 to 33,306 in 2021, 95,892 in 2022, and 1.52 lakh in 2023.Government Initiatives and Partnerships
The Karnataka government introduced the EV Policy 2023-28 to create jobs and attract investment. The Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) is the nodal agency responsible for the EV charging infrastructure in Karnataka. Bescom will establish 2,560 charging locations, including 20 fast charging stations at toll plazas along NH-48. They will set up 1,190 stations in various districts. Bescom is completing its largest EV charging hub at Kempegowda International Airport for the simultaneous fast charging of 24 EVs.National Perspective on EV Infrastructure
Nationally, there are 16,271 public charging stations with 80 charge point operators. Public sector undertakings have installed 4,994 charging stations, while private sector entities have established 11,277.Proactive Approach Towards EV Adoption
The growing EV penetration is due to factors such as e-rickshaws in UP and Delhi, favorable EV policies in UP and Maharashtra, the presence of e-mobility firms/startups in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, increasing use of battery-run vehicles by delivery workers, rising fuel prices, availability of charging stations, and more affordable battery-run vehicle models.LEADERBOARD
