State Government Accelerates EV Infrastructure Development to Promote Green Mobility.
Shimla:
In a bold move to foster sustainable transportation, the State government has intensified efforts to develop Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure, signaling a strong commitment to promoting green mobility. As part of this strategic initiative, six green corridors have already been established to ensure the smooth operation of EVs across the state.
In a major step toward enhancing accessibility, the government has approved the installation of EV charging stations at 402 carefully selected locations, including key government premises such as PWD Rest Houses, Circuit Houses, and offices of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police. This vast network of charging stations includes:
- 252 charging stations at PWD Rest Houses
- 19 at Jal Shakti Rest Houses
- 18 at HPSEBL premises
- 100 at Forest Department rest houses
- 12 at DC and SP office complexes
- One at the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA) office.
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, expressed his vision, saying, “The objective of this initiative is to develop a seamless and efficient EV charging network across Himachal Pradesh, which would significantly support the adoption of EVs by government departments and encourage sustainable transportation, contributing to environmental conservation.”
In line with these efforts, the state government has mandated all departments to procure EVs for their fleets, driving the steady increase in the number of electric vehicles across the state. As of now, 4,997 EVs have been registered in Himachal Pradesh. Additionally, under the state’s e-taxi scheme, 500 electric taxis are set to be inducted into various government departments.
To further facilitate the adoption of EVs, the state has already designated six highways as Green Corridors. Efforts are underway to install EV charging stations at petrol pumps, government premises, HPTDC hotels, and private hospitality units. At present, 23 charging stations are operational at petrol pumps, with plans to equip 90 more petrol stations with charging infrastructure by the end of this year. Furthermore, 46 government sites have been earmarked for the development of charging stations that will include way-side amenities.
In collaboration with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) will install EV charging stations at 65 of its hotels, with the first phase involving 11 sites. On top of this, 44 EV charging stations have already been set up in private hotels across the state.
Chief Minister Sukhu added, “The adoption of electric vehicles will play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future for Himachal Pradesh. We are committed to transforming the state into a leading hub for electric mobility.”
The rapid expansion of EV infrastructure and the state’s clear vision for the future highlights Himachal Pradesh’s commitment to green mobility, environmental sustainability, and energy efficiency.
