Noida to Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh to get public EV charging network in 10 major cities
The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has invited bids for the development, operation and maintenance of 238 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across 10 cities under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. The proposed charging network aims to expand public charging infrastructure and support the adoption of electric vehicles across the state.
The charging stations will be established across Agra, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Mathura and Gorakhpur. The identified sites have been grouped into 20 clusters and include government offices, bus depots, railway stations, municipal parking facilities and other public locations.
Tariff structure
The maximum charging tariff payable by EV users will comprise three components: the electricity tariff determined by the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC), a land-use charge of Rs 1 per unit payable to the land-owning agency, and the service charge quoted by the charging station operator.
Bidders will compete primarily based on the service charge component. Operators will also be permitted to offer discounts to users. Any future implementation of time-of-day tariffs by UPERC will be reflected in charging prices.
Charging infrastructure
Each charging station will be required to install a minimum set of chargers depending on the site category.
The proposed infrastructure includes 12 kW chargers for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, 60 kW fast chargers for passenger vehicles and 240 kW fast chargers at bus depots for electric buses.
Financial support
The charging stations will be supported through incentives available under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. For installations on government premises, including offices, hospitals and educational institutions, the scheme provides support for 100% of upstream electrical infrastructure and 100% of charger costs.
At public locations such as railway stations, bus depots, metro stations and municipal parking areas, support covers 80% of upstream infrastructure costs and 70% of charger costs. For other locations, including commercial establishments, support is available for up to 80% of upstream infrastructure costs.
The upstream infrastructure includes transformers, cables, switchgear, civil works and other equipment required to connect charging stations to the electricity network.
Implementation timeline
The bid submission deadline is July 15, 2026. Successful bidders will be required to commission the charging stations within 150 days of receiving possession of the allotted sites. Based on the tender timeline, the first charging stations could become operational by late 2026 or early 2027.
The initiative forms part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader efforts to expand EV infrastructure and support the state’s electric mobility targets.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
