Karnataka Shelves Plan for 2,500 Public EV Charging Stations

Swift Summary

• Karnataka government has dropped plans to set up 2,500 EV public charging stations under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model due to lack of interest from stakeholders.
• Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), responsible for EV infrastructure implementation, cited difficulties such as previous failures, absence of bids in many districts, and poor inter-departmental coordination as reasons for project cancellation.
• Despite 1.04 lakh new EVs recorded on Karnataka roads in 2025 and a total of 5.95 lakh EVs statewide,Bescom highlighted financial risks for companies trying to establish charging stations because of low demand and unsuitable locations.
• Industry experts pointed out mismatches between demand-oriented locations (home or offices) and government-assigned areas (such as bus depots or curbside parking), which are unviable commercially.
• Stakeholders emphasized mandating charger integration with real estate projects, better awareness among users, and more incentives for private participation to encourage reliable public infrastructure development.
• The revised plan includes setting up 100 charging stations by escoms at a cost of ₹35 crore.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The cancellation of Karnataka’s aspiring PPP-based plans for expanding EV charging infrastructure signals persistent bottlenecks in marrying policy intent with ground realities. Challenges like stakeholder hesitation due to unclear land usage policies and misaligned site allocation reflect structural gaps in planning that could hinder India’s broader shift toward sustainable mobility goals.

While proactive measures such as setting up 100 escom-run charging stations indicate government efforts toward addressing rising EV adoption needs, the scale remains inadequate compared to existing demand.to foster confidence among private players, foundational issues like inter-departmental coordination must be resolved alongside initiatives that align station location with user behavior patterns.

looking ahead, prioritizing clarity on land use regulations and incentivization schemes could unlock greater private participation essential for meeting long-term targets while sustaining investor trust. Additionally, addressing reliability concerns raised by users may bolster public acceptance crucial for ensuring consistent growth within Karnataka’s burgeoning EV ecosystem.

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