Gurgaon: In a major push towards clean energy, Haryana’s discoms have initiated a land search across the state to deploy public EV charging stations at key govt sites and major highways.Fast-tracked under the Central Govt’s PM E-DRIVE scheme, the statewide infrastructure rollout is designed to accelerate mass EV adoption and curb vehicular pollution by embedding charging points into everyday public locations.Haryana discom Managing Director Vikram Singh directed both Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) to identify govt land and institutional premises for new public charging spaces.While the state’s transport department has been positioned as the nodal agency for installation, monitoring and upkeep of EV charging infrastructure since Feb 2024, and also providing a framework for public charging stations on govt land, the UHBVN has been designated as the state nodal agency to implement the scheme’s charging infrastructure.“The fast-charging stations will be developed on plots measuring a minimum of 60 square metres in urban areas and 300 square metres along national and state highways, catering to electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, buses and trucks,” said Singh.A dedicated electricity connection category for EV charging stations allows public charging stations to be established as a delicensed activity, in line with central guidelines.Singh added that various state entities — including departments, boards, residential buildings and corporations — have been asked to identify suitable land. Discoms are also surveying their own campuses to install the infrastructure. New apartments, high-rise buildings, technology parks, malls and hotels are also being encouraged to incorporate EV charging facilities.Detailed information about each potential site will be compiled and submitted on a priority basis for further action. Officials said UHBVN already issued directions to all concerned departments, while the discoms have instructed chief engineers across circles to collect and submit the required information within stipulated timelines.Haryana’s EV policy also prioritises expanding the charging network by introducing public fast-charging stations and battery-swapping facilities every 50 kilometres on major highways. Additionally, the policy mandates charging infrastructure in public buildings and encourages aggressive participation from both public sector undertakings and private players.Nationally, the Centre has earmarked Rs 2,000 crore under the PM E-DRIVE scheme for deployment of public EV charging stations, and more than 29,000 public charging stations have already been installed across the country.
