This is an opinion piece reflecting the views of PxT Energies.
India's charging network has grown fast. Official figures in 2025 counted more than 29,000 public charging stations, with thousands on highways, and public support under PM E-DRIVE aims to add many more. That growth is worth celebrating. But from where we stand, building and running chargers every day, the next phase needs a different focus.
1. Reliability before more locations
A driver who finds a broken charger loses trust in the whole system, not just one operator. We believe uptime targets, transparent availability data and fast repairs should become the norm, and that operators should be judged by how often chargers work, not how many they install.
2. Faster grid connections
The longest wait in most of our projects is not equipment or construction. It is the electricity connection. Clear timelines, simpler applications and coordinated planning between DISCOMs and charging operators would speed up the network more than any single subsidy.
3. Charging that is simple to pay for
Drivers should not need five apps to complete one trip. Interoperability through open standards, roaming and the national unified charging hub, plus app-less payment, would make public charging feel as simple as refuelling.
4. More attention to two- and three-wheelers
Most EVs on Indian roads have two or three wheels. Many commercial riders still lack reliable charging. Light EV charging at markets, transport hubs and fuel stations deserves far more attention than it gets.
5. Real corridors for buses and trucks
Heavy vehicles need high-power charging, space and grid capacity that car chargers cannot provide. Planning freight and bus corridors now, with megawatt-ready sites, will avoid a bottleneck later.
6. Better sites, not just more sites
Good lighting, shade, washrooms, safety and accessibility turn a charger into a place drivers trust, especially at night and for women and drivers with disabilities.
The measure of success should be simple: a driver anywhere in India can find a working charger when they need it, and pay for it easily.
We are building our own network, and our brand EVee Buddy, around these principles. We would welcome a conversation with anyone, from policymakers to site owners, who shares them.