Karnataka has emerged as a front-runner in India’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, boasting the highest number of public charging stations among tier-1 cities, as per the data of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
The State hosts 5,880 public charging points, of which 4,626 are concentrated in tier-1 cities, primarily Bengaluru. This places Karnataka far ahead of other major States, such as Maharashtra, which has 2,454 stations, and Delhi, which has 1,951, all established within the last five years.
Though the capital city accounts for the bulk of this infrastructure, Karnataka’s EV footprint is expanding beyond metro areas. Tier-2 cities across the State now host 285 public charging stations, while tier-3 towns collectively have 969 stations, according to the data.
Officials from the State Energy Department attribute this success to a mix of environmental concerns and policy foresight.
“The surge in fuel prices and the worsening quality of urban air have pushed electric mobility to the forefront. Karnataka was the first State in India to unveil an EV policy back in 2017, which laid the foundation for today’s progress,” an official said.
At the time of the policy’s roll-out, Karnataka saw an annual EV registration of approximately 11,000 vehicles.
The expansion of charging infrastructure has been powered by a combination of funding mechanisms, including the Central Government’s FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) initiative, investments by the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), green cess revenue from the Transport Department, and several public-private partnerships.
Government initiatives
In a further boost to the State’s electric mobility mission, the Karnataka government announced several forward-looking initiatives in its 2025-26 State Budget presented on March 7. These include plans to set up a cutting-edge EV testing track, and a dedicated EV manufacturing and research cluster in the Bengaluru zone. The government is targeting an investment of ₹50,000 crore with the aim of creating 1 lakh jobs within the clean mobility sector.
A senior official from the Transport Department revealed that, as part of its strategy to electrify public transport, Karnataka will deploy 14,750 electric buses under schemes like PM e-DRIVE, PM-eBus Sewa, and various Externally Aided Projects. “Of these, 9,000 will be inducted into the fleet of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). In the current financial year alone, the State has introduced 716 electric buses on its roads,” the official added.
To encourage the adoption of EVs at the community level, the government has launched a scheme offering financial assistance to unemployed individuals from backward communities. Eligible beneficiaries can receive up to ₹3 lakh to help purchase an electric four-wheeler. “This initiative aims to address both employment and environmental concerns by supporting clean mobility solutions,” the official said.
Reasons for success
Transport experts said the State’s early and aggressive policy decisions are responsible for the current success.
“Karnataka’s 2017 EV policy is a good move. The number of charging stations in Bengaluru alone shows how infrastructure can build consumer trust. But now, it’s time to focus on enhancing interoperability, standardising pricing, and offering real-time availability data to improve user experience,” said M. N. Srihari, a transport expert.
