Patna: The rapid increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) in Bihar, particularly in Patna, has not been matched by the establishment of adequate public charging stations. While there is growing demand for both small and large EVs in districts across the state, the lack of charging infrastructure on national highways (NH) and state highways (SH) has made long-distance travel inconvenient. Many EV users are hesitant to undertake journeys exceeding 300 kilometers due to limited charging options.
In 2024, around 96,000 electric vehicles were sold in Bihar, surpassing the 88,000 units sold in 2023. Despite this surge in EV adoption, the pace of setting up public charging stations remains slow. The state government has set an ambitious target to install 1,000 EV charging stations within a year, with 300 expected to be constructed soon. However, progress on this front has been sluggish, leaving EV owners frustrated.
The government plans to establish charging stations at key locations such as petrol pumps, bus terminals, school campuses, and strategic points on city routes and highways. This initiative aims to encourage EV use while promoting a cleaner environment. Charging stations are also planned in districts like Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, and Purnia, in preparation for operating 400 e-buses under the PM e-Bus scheme. The central government is supporting this effort to boost sustainable urban transport.
Despite these plans, much of the work remains on paper. Over the past year, the Transport Department has failed to deliver on its promises to expand EV infrastructure, causing significant inconvenience to EV owners. The department had organized an EV conclave in Patna last year to promote electric vehicles but has yet to address the urgent need for charging stations to facilitate long-distance travel.
