Oil firms install 236 EV charging stations along Bengaluru highways
The Ministry of Heavy Industries recently informed the Lok Sabha that 236 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been installed along four major highway corridors connecting Bengaluru, including the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway, Bengaluru–Hyderabad Highway (NH-44), Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway (NH-275), and Bengaluru–Pune Highway (NH-48). The disclosure was made in response to a question raised by Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan regarding the government's efforts to support EV adoption.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, three major public sector oil marketing companies—IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL—established these highway charging stations.
The distribution of the newly installed stations includes 109 stations on the Bengaluru–Pune Highway (NH-48), 64 stations on the Bengaluru–Hyderabad Highway (NH-44), 33 stations on the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway (NH-275), and 30 stations on the Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway.
While no comprehensive assessment has been conducted to evaluate the adequacy of these EV charging stations, the ministry noted that private operators are also setting up stations based on present and anticipated demand. Under the Ministry of Power guidelines issued on September 17, 2024, setting up an EV charging station is an unlicensed activity.
In addition to passenger EV infrastructure, the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) and its knowledge partners released a report on May 9, 2025, titled "India’s Priority Corridors for Zero-Emission Trucking." This study identified ten priority corridors for the early deployment of electric trucks, which includes the Bengaluru–Chennai corridor.
Addressing concerns about grid capacity, the minister assured the Lok Sabha that India’s national transmission system is robust enough to support the growing EV infrastructure. The national grid allows power transfer from surplus regions to deficit areas and major load centres, and its capacity is being upgraded continuously to handle the rising demand from EV charging stations.
