Tamil Nadu to have 2,000 charging stations by March 2026

The Tamil Nadu government has outlined an ambitious plan to increase charging points across the state by March 2026 – from 400 to 2,000 stations – to boost EV adoption in the state.

The state government has stated that it will work closely with its power and distribution arm, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), as well as oil marketing companies to boost EV adoption in the state as part of its plan to decarbonise both public and private transportation.

1. Government plans to install charging stations every 25km
2. TANGEDCO to identify and shortlist locations
3. EV portal integrating all charging stations to launch soon

At the recent India EV Conclave – a collaboration between our sister publication Autocar Professional and the Tamil Nadu government – held in Chennai, TRB Rajaa, the state's minister for Industries, Investment Promotions and Commerce Department, exclusively confirmed this development.

“Currently, we don’t have enough electric vehicle charging facilities in the state,” Rajaa said. “But, in a short period, you are going to see a multi-fold expansion in the state’s charging infrastructure.” According to the state's electric vehicle policy, which was issued in 2019, it is mandatory to install e-vehicle charging stations every 25 kilometres throughout the state.

The state has given TANGEDCO the responsibility of identifying suitable locations along highways to establish charging stations. The corporation has shortlisted close to 100 sites and is likely to issue tenders for the same by the end of the current fiscal year.

The government plans to launch an EV portal, which will integrate all charging stations in the state. "As we strive to become India's EV charging capital, we want to correct our EV adoption by providing consumers with more charging stations and eliminating range anxiety," Rajaa emphasised. As of September 2023, Tamil Nadu had nearly 4.14 lakh electric vehicles on the road.

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