India’s electric vehicle push is shifting into a higher gear. As of July 1, 2025, the country has installed 29,277 public charging stations, according to Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma. The figure marks a dramatic uptick from previous years, helped along by government initiatives like the FAME-II Scheme and fresh funding under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme.
Charging Infrastructure Grows as Sales Nearly Double
The new numbers come at a pivotal moment. Electric passenger vehicle sales in India nearly doubled over the past year, though their market share remains modest at just 4.5%. Automakers are keen to change that. Maruti Suzuki, which plans to launch its first electric model—the e-VITARA—this fiscal year, says robust public charging is essential to make EVs a viable choice for Indian households. Partho Banerjee, a senior executive at Maruti Suzuki India, emphasized that if EVs are to become primary vehicles rather than secondary ones, drivers need easy access to dependable chargers—especially on highways.
The FAME-II Scheme played a big role in setting the stage. Between April 2019 and March 2024, it supported buyers and funded infrastructure: helping put more than 1.43 million electric two-wheelers, over 165,000 three-wheelers, and nearly 23,000 four-wheelers on Indian roads. Of 6,862 sanctioned electric buses, over 5,100 are already serving passengers nationwide.
Private Sector Steps Up Amid Contrasts Abroad
To keep pace with the swelling ranks of EVs, India’s government has earmarked INR 2,000 crore under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme for even more charging stations. Meanwhile, companies like Maruti Suzuki aren’t waiting; they’re rolling out their own networks in 100 cities to support their new EV lineup.
India’s steady progress stands in stark contrast to the troubled rollout in the United States. Despite $7.5 billion allocated for EV chargers under former President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, only 68 stations with 384 ports have been built so far—a cost of about $19.5 million per charger according to recent reports.
Back home, with more than 160,000 gas stations still dominating Indian roads, there’s clearly a long way to go before electric overtakes petrol and diesel—but with rising investments and new models like the e-VITARA on the horizon, the wheels of change are definitely turning.
