EV owners struggle as Karnataka scraps major charging station plan

Electric vehicle (EV) users in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru, are grappling with a lack of charging infrastructure, despite a rapid increase in EV adoption. The Energy Department recently shelved its plan to install 2,500 public charging stations under a public-private partnership model, intensifying concerns about the state’s readiness for a green mobility transition.

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Bengaluru alone now has over 3.4 lakh EVs, comprising nearly 2.98 lakh two-wheelers, 23,516 four-wheelers, and 18,246 three-wheelers. However, the number of operational charging points in the city hovers around just 5,800—nowhere near enough to meet growing demand. Users frequently face long queues and prolonged wait times, especially during peak hours.

The now-cancelled expansion plan faced numerous hurdles. Contractors cited delays in securing land from other government departments, while many locations proposed by BESCOM were found to be unfit for setting up stations. Additionally, private firms raised concerns over high upfront costs and poor return on investment. Even though 585 new stations were approved during FY 2023–24, none have been installed so far.

This shortfall comes at a time when the government continues to promote EVs as a cleaner alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles to combat urban pollution. However, the widening infrastructure gap threatens to derail this vision. As citizens continue to struggle with inadequate facilities, the Energy Department has yet to announce any revised roadmap to address the growing crisis.