The Central Government aims to introduce electric vehicles in the country; however, infrastructure such as EV charging stations becomes a major concern for it.

As of now, despite the fact that some states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu have shown considerable progress, the scope of these activities has been restricted to the cities only.

Now, the government is taking an important step towards expansion of EV charging stations in rural areas as well. This step involves collaboration between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the agency of the Ministry of Energy called Convergence Energy Services Limited.

Land for electric vehicle charging stations and battery swapping stations would be provided by the Panchayats, whereas the agency would install the EV charging stations on those lands. Operating and maintenance of the stations would be carried out by the agency, whereas this would help Panchayats generate OSR incomes as well.

This very important Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and CESL during the People's Planning Campaign workshop held by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in New Delhi on Friday. The government plans to provide land for EV charging stations and battery swapping stations by Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and District Panchayats.

Subject to terms and conditions, an agency from the Ministry of Energy will lease this land for ten years and establish EV charging stations and battery swapping stations. The agency will prioritize land owned by Panchayats along state and national highways, as well as land adjacent to Panchayat offices.

The agency will establish such stations where charging of various categories of electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, medium and heavy vehicles, is possible. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will coordinate with state Panchayati Raj departments to secure land.

CESL will undertake site assessment, demand estimation, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of EV charging and battery swapping stations at selected sites.

During the MoU signing ceremony, CESL stated that detailed guidelines would be issued following the MoU. However, it is estimated that if a Panchayat provides 100 square meters of space for a charging station, it will generate an average income of 4,000 rupees per month.

The agency will be responsible for operation and maintenance, and Panchayats will not have to contribute anything from their income. During the MoU signing ceremony, Union Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan, also known as Lallan Singh, stated that this partnership would increase the Panchayats' own revenue, or OSR.

This will also strengthen EV infrastructure in rural areas and help reduce carbon emissions in villages and surrounding areas. Secretary Vineet Joshi also shared his views on this importance.

It is noteworthy that in February 2026, the government informed Parliament that 29,151 public electric vehicle charging stations had been established in the country. Efforts are ongoing to increase this number under the PM-E ​​drive.

At the same time, the agency of the Ministry of Energy has also informed that it has also started talks with the municipal bodies to set up EV charging stations on the land of local bodies, but the first MoU has been signed with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

The Central Government aims to introduce electric vehicles in the country; however, infrastructure such as EV charging stations becomes a major concern for it.

As of now, despite the fact that some states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu have shown considerable progress, the scope of these activities has been restricted to the cities only.

Now, the government is taking an important step towards expansion of EV charging stations in rural areas as well. This step involves collaboration between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the agency of the Ministry of Energy called Convergence Energy Services Limited.

Land for electric vehicle charging stations and battery swapping stations would be provided by the Panchayats, whereas the agency would install the EV charging stations on those lands. Operating and maintenance of the stations would be carried out by the agency, whereas this would help Panchayats generate OSR incomes as well.

This very important Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and CESL during the People's Planning Campaign workshop held by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in New Delhi on Friday. The government plans to provide land for EV charging stations and battery swapping stations by Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and District Panchayats.

Subject to terms and conditions, an agency from the Ministry of Energy will lease this land for ten years and establish EV charging stations and battery swapping stations. The agency will prioritize land owned by Panchayats along state and national highways, as well as land adjacent to Panchayat offices.

The agency will establish such stations where charging of various categories of electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, medium and heavy vehicles, is possible. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will coordinate with state Panchayati Raj departments to secure land.

CESL will undertake site assessment, demand estimation, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of EV charging and battery swapping stations at selected sites.

During the MoU signing ceremony, CESL stated that detailed guidelines would be issued following the MoU. However, it is estimated that if a Panchayat provides 100 square meters of space for a charging station, it will generate an average income of 4,000 rupees per month.

The agency will be responsible for operation and maintenance, and Panchayats will not have to contribute anything from their income. During the MoU signing ceremony, Union Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan, also known as Lallan Singh, stated that this partnership would increase the Panchayats' own revenue, or OSR.

This will also strengthen EV infrastructure in rural areas and help reduce carbon emissions in villages and surrounding areas. Secretary Vineet Joshi also shared his views on this importance.

It is noteworthy that in February 2026, the government informed Parliament that 29,151 public electric vehicle charging stations had been established in the country. Efforts are ongoing to increase this number under the PM-E ​​drive.

At the same time, the agency of the Ministry of Energy has also informed that it has also started talks with the municipal bodies to set up EV charging stations on the land of local bodies, but the first MoU has been signed with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.