Odisha Proposes 290 New EV Charging Stations Under PM E-DRIVE Scheme

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has proposed setting up 290 new public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state under the Centre’s PM E-DRIVE scheme to strengthen charging infrastructure and promote electric mobility.

Announced by the State Transport Authority on November 3, the second-phase proposal covers 13 major cities, including Rourkela, Talcher, Sambalpur, Paradip, Berhampur, Jharsuguda and Keonjhar, besides key national and state highway corridors.

The proposal includes 68 wayside amenity centres managed by the Tourism Department and six priority locations along the Paradip-Barsabil industrial corridor and other routes.

The expansion builds on the first phase, under which the Centre approved 170 charging stations in seven major cities. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) will implement the project, with its team set to conduct site inspections to assess feasibility.

Apart from the centrally supported initiative, the state government is also planning to establish over 500 additional EV charging stations. Of these, 24 are already operational in Bhubaneswar.

The government also plans to install charging facilities at Atal Bus Stands, truck terminals and other strategic locations.

The initiatives are aimed at addressing range anxiety among EV users, improving connectivity to tourist destinations and industrial hubs, and encouraging wider adoption of electric vehicles in Odisha.