EV Charging Stations in Gram Panchayats... Centre Takes Key Decision

The Central Government has decided to establish electric vehicle (EV) charging and battery-swapping stations in gram panchayats across the country. To implement the initiative, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has signed an agreement with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL). The agreement was signed in New Delhi on Saturday. Under the plan, these facilities will be developed on vacant land available with gram panchayats.

The initiative is expected to generate additional revenue for gram panchayats while reducing dependence on conventional fuels such as petrol and diesel. According to the government, India currently has 29,151 public EV charging stations. Expanding this infrastructure to rural areas is a key objective of the programme. The move is also expected to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in villages and improve access to charging facilities.