8 New EV Charging Stations on Mumbai-Pune Expressway by Year-End

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is planning to install eight new charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

The project will complete by the end of this year. Currently, the 94.5-kilometre expressway reportedly has only five charging stations. Maharashtra has over 5.58 lakh registered EVs. This makes it one of the largest EV markets in India, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Vahan portal.

About 1.4 lakh vehicles travel from there daily and EV users say this is not enough. MSRDC is now conducting research to place the new stations evenly along the road. Another survey is being carried out to track EV travel and predict future demand.

As per sources, many existing charging stations are not functioning. Officials say the new stations must be completed on schedule to address these issues. To make the system sustainable, ideas for public-private partnerships and using renewable energy have been suggested.

The state government has announced that EVs will not pay tolls on intercity routes, including the Expressway, Samruddhi Mahamarg, and Atal Setu. This is part of a plan to promote clean transport and carbon-neutral highways.

Also Read: Good News! Atal Setu becomes toll-free for electric vehicles