Patna: Bihar ranks 16th nationally for public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, with 521 operational charging stations across the state, according to recent data cited by the state transport department. The tally places Bihar behind higher-capacity states such as Karnataka (6,097), Maharashtra (4,155), and Uttar Pradesh (2,326), while keeping it ahead of Jharkhand (353) and Chhattisgarh (346) among its regional peers. Officials said the shortfall versus states like West Bengal (903) and Odisha (623) underscores the need for accelerated deployment to support growing EV uptake.
State authorities outlined a near-term push to densify the network in both urban and rural areas through partnerships with private companies and local bodies. The plan includes selecting high-footfall district locations and ensuring that, over the coming years, drivers can find a charging point every 25–30 km on key corridors—an interval aimed at alleviating range anxiety for inter-district travel. Experts quoted by the department argue that a denser grid will speed EV adoption, lower dependence on petrol and diesel, and contribute to meaningful reductions in urban air pollution.
The transport department has set an immediate target of installing 1,000 additional charging stations within the next year, prioritizing accessibility and geographic spread. The effort is framed as part of a broader attempt to push Bihar into the top ten states for public charging capacity within three years, contingent on smooth execution and timely site readiness. Alongside public installations, the state is encouraging semi-public and private deployments in residential and commercial complexes to diversify access points and reduce pressure on highway and city-center hubs.
While acknowledging that Bihar’s current network lags leading states, officials argue the new roadmap—combining public investment, private participation, and local government facilitation—can quickly close the gap. The department indicated that successful delivery will depend on streamlined approvals, grid-ready sites, and reliable operations and maintenance, as well as transparent mapping so users can locate chargers easily.
