Have you ever worried about your phone battery dying when you’re out? Electric vehicle owners face a similar fear – but much worse. They worry about running out of power with no charging station nearby. The Indian government has a bold solution to fix this problem, according to INC42.
A Super App to End EV Charging Worries
The Ministry of Heavy Industries is creating something called a “super app” for electric vehicle users. Think of it like having Zomato, Paytm, and Google Maps all rolled into one app, but specifically for EV charging. This decision came during an important government meeting on May 21.
Here’s what this smart app will do for you. First, it will show you exactly which charging stations have available spots right now – no more driving around hoping to find one. Second, you can book your charging slot in advance, just like booking a movie ticket. Third, you can pay directly through the app without carrying cash or cards.
The app will also have progress dashboards that track how many new charging stations are being built across India. According to PIB, this helps everyone see how the charging network is growing under the PM E-Drive scheme. EVStory mentioned that the app aims to work with all existing charging stations, not just new ones.
Why BHEL is Taking Charge
The government is considering Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) as the main coordinator for this project. BHEL is a government company that builds heavy machinery and equipment. Think of them as India’s engineering experts for big infrastructure projects.
Angel One reported that BHEL would act like a central coordinator between different state governments and ministries. When states want to install new charging stations, BHEL will collect all these requests and help decide where they should go. This prevents confusion and ensures charging stations are built where people actually need them most.
The Massive Infrastructure Plan
This super app is part of something much bigger called the PM E-Drive scheme. The government plans to install approximately 72,000 public charging stations across India over nearly two years. To put this in perspective, India currently has about 83,000 petrol pumps – so this would almost double our fuel infrastructure options.
The focus areas include 50 national highway corridors, metro cities, toll plazas, and railway stations. This makes sense because these are places where people travel long distances and need reliable charging options. The goal is reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and cutting emissions while promoting clean energy.
Experts believe India’s homegrown EV ecosystem could become a $132 billion opportunity by 2030. The government is also cutting GST on EVs to just 5% and offering subsidies to manufacturers to make electric vehicles more affordable.
What This Means for You
This super app addresses what experts call “range anxiety” – the fear of running out of battery power. With real-time information and advance booking, EV owners can plan their trips confidently. Will this finally make electric vehicles as convenient as regular cars for long-distance travel?
