Government sites to become EV charging hubs across Karnataka

Government departments have been directed to identify parking areas and vacant spaces on their premises that can be handed over for setting up the stations.

Published - August 29, 2026 09:56 pm IST - Bengaluru

To make these stations accessible to the public around the clock, departments have also been asked to make separate entry and exit arrangements where necessary. | Photo Credit: File photo

Government offices and other public premises across Karnataka could soon double up as electric vehicle (EV) charging points, with the State planning to use its own land to expand the charging network under the Centre’s PM E-DRIVE scheme.

Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, has directed government departments to identify parking areas and vacant spaces on their premises that can be handed over for setting up the stations. The departments are required to submit the list to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom), the nodal agency for the scheme.

To make these stations accessible to the public around the clock, departments have also been asked to make separate entry and exit arrangements where necessary.

Of the 687 government locations surveyed by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries, 515 have been approved in the first phase, while Bescom has proposed 1,250 charging stations in all, covering locations under 33 government departments.

There is also a financial incentive for departments that provide the land. Under the Union Power Ministry’s guidelines, the department that owns the land on which an EV station will come up will get a revenue share of ₹1 for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity consumed for charging. Bescom will sign a 10-year agreement with the department and take responsibility for setting up, running and maintaining the station.

The 1,250 proposed locations are divided into two categories: Category A includes Union and State government properties such as offices, hospitals, schools and college campuses, while Category B includes public facilities owned or managed by the government, such as railway stations, airports, metro stations and bus stations.

Bescom managing director N. Shivashankara said the utility had created a digital system to handle approvals, monitoring and subsidy-related work for the charging stations. The stations will also be linked to the EV Mitra platform, so users can find and access the charging points.

Four types of charging stations — fast chargers and normal chargers, have been proposed depending on whether they are located in cities or along highways. The proposed urban stations will require 133 sq. m. to 175 sq. m. of space, while highway stations will require between 221 sq. m. and 476 sq. m.

Published - August 29, 2026 09:56 pm IST

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