Odisha's Ambitious Plan: 290 New EV Charging Stations to Transform Electric Mobility
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is making significant strides in enhancing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure by proposing the establishment of 290 new public EV charging stations across 13 cities and along vital national and state highways.
This initiative is part of the state's efforts to promote electric mobility and expand its charging network under the PM E-DRIVE scheme initiated by the Centre. Under the guidance of Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, the government is actively working to expedite the development of EV infrastructure.
In the initial phase, the Centre has already approved 170 EV charging stations in seven major cities within Odisha, with installation currently in progress. For the subsequent phase, the state has submitted a detailed proposal for 290 additional charging stations in locations such as Rourkela, Talcher, Sambalpur, Paradip, Barbil, Belpahar, Brahmapur, Brajarajnagar, Chhatrapur, Jharsuguda, Joda, Kendujhar, and Rajgangpur, as well as various sites along national and state highways.
Among the proposed sites, 68 are designated as Wayside Amenity Centres under the Tourism Department, while six others are strategically located along significant highways, including the crucial Paradip-Badbil corridor. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been designated as the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for this initiative. Before final approval, a team led by BHEL General Manager JK Pattanaik will conduct site surveys to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed locations.
In addition to the projects under the Central scheme, the state government is also planning to set up over 500 more EV charging stations through its own initiatives.
So far, 24 charging stations have already been launched in Bhubaneswar. The state is also enhancing charging infrastructure at key public venues, including major transit hubs, Atal Bus Stands, and truck terminals, to ensure that EV users have easy access to charging facilities.
This proposed expansion is anticipated to enhance charging accessibility, alleviate range anxiety for electric vehicle owners, and promote the broader adoption of electric mobility throughout Odisha. The state has also implemented an Electric Vehicle Policy that offers financial incentives and subsidies to eligible EV buyers, further encouraging the shift towards cleaner transportation.