India stepping up EV infra drive with 72,000 fast-charger rollout target, says MHI’s Hanif Qureshi

Qureshi said India’s transition to electric buses began with the FAME scheme in 2015. Of the 7,000 buses sanctioned across phases, more than 5,500 are operational, and the remaining are at various stages of rollout.

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India’s electric mobility push is entering a new infrastructure phase, with the government receiving proposals from multiple states, oil marketing companies (OMCs) and public sector units to roll out charging networks under the PM E-Drive scheme, Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) Additional Secretary Hanif Qureshi said on Tuesday.Speaking at the SIAM 5th Global Electric Mobility Summit, Qureshi said the Centre has earmarked ₹2,000 crore for charging infrastructure, setting a target of deploying 72,000 fast chargers across cars, buses, trucks and two- and three-wheelers. Proposals have already been submitted by states including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Telangana, Bihar and Odisha, signalling early adoption momentum across regions.Qureshi added that states are free to choose their implementation method, but have been advised that tender parameters must ensure the lowest cost to the customer. He also noted the emergence of revenue-sharing models in some states.

Qureshi said earlier concerns about the chicken-and-egg relationship between vehicles and chargers had “been settled”. The government supported more than 9,000 fast-charging stations under previous schemes. Of these, 6,000 have been commissioned, and the remaining installations are currently being commissioned.

More than 70 per cent of global OEMs have committed to electrification timelines to 2035, adding that the key question is now “who leads and how fast,” said Qureshi. He stressed that India’s approach is based on policy continuity aligned with the Prime Minister’s net-zero vision for 2070.

Electric buses, trucks and supply chain measures

Qureshi said India’s transition to electric buses began with the FAME scheme in 2015. Of the 7,000 buses sanctioned across phases, more than 5,500 are operational, and the remaining are at various stages of rollout. Under the PMU-PLI scheme for buses, an allocation of ₹4,300 crore covers 14,000 buses.Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) has concluded a tender for 10,900 buses and has issued another tender for 2,900 buses. He added that cost savings may allow the inclusion of around 1,000 more buses.

He said electric buses are “going to be a major game changer”. On trucks, he reported that heavier M2 and M3 category models have been homologated, and two OEMs have received indigenisation certificates, with more in progress.

Qureshi acknowledged supply-chain issues with permanent magnets and said the timelines under the phased manufacturing programme had been extended. He noted that the Cabinet had cleared a scheme for indigenously produced sintered permanent magnets, with production expected within two years.The Union Budget 2026–27 maintained lower duty rates on lithium-ion cells and provided for capital equipment used in domestic manufacturing. The budget also allocated 4,000 electric buses to “poorer” states and created a dedicated permanent magnet manufacturing corridor.

Skills, renewables and long-term planning

Qureshi highlighted the workforce requirements for electrification, citing a SIAM study that identified 360+ EV-specific roles. The EV sector currently provides about 300,000 direct jobs and 1.9 million in total. He said these numbers would rise with investment and higher penetration.He pointed to the Automotive Mission Plan as a key industry–government platform preparing a roadmap to 2047, with input from seven subcommittees involving industry and academia.

Qureshi said the Ministry of Power’s charging guidelines incorporate renewable energy, and upcoming guidelines from the Ministry of Heavy Industries will do the same.

He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to work with SIAM, states, academia and civil society, saying the EV ecosystem “cannot be implemented by any one body” and depends on collaboration