Karnataka has rapidly strengthened its position in India’s electric mobility sector, officially securing the spot as Karnataka holds second in EV charging networks with 2,039 operational public charging stations installed by oil marketing companies (OMCs). This achievement places the state just behind Uttar Pradesh, which leads with 2,893 stations, marking Karnataka as one of the nation’s fastest-growing EV infrastructure hubs.
A Five-Year Surge: How Karnataka Built Its EV Charging Ecosystem
The growth of Karnataka’s charging network has been remarkable. In 2020–21, the state had only 36 EV charging stations, but the number grew to 153 in 2021–22. A major leap occurred in 2022–23 with 542 installations, reflecting rising EV adoption. Although 2023–24 saw a slight dip to 478 units, the momentum returned strongly in 2024–25 with 1,034 new stations—the largest single-year addition.
As of the current financial year 2025–26 (up to March 1), another 157 stations have been added, bringing total installations over five years to 2,400, of which 2,039 are operational. This consistent rise is a key reason why experts repeatedly highlight Karnataka as second in EV charging networks at the national level.
Officials attribute this expansion to strong participation from OMCs as well as private players since setting up an EV charging station remains an unlicensed activity. Bengaluru and major highways have emerged as focal points for deployment.
State Rankings and National Landscape
Karnataka’s performance places it ahead of major states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat in operational OMC-run EV charging stations. Nationally, OMCs have installed 27,737 stations, of which 22,753 are functional, with 21 decommissioned.
However, despite this progress, officials note the absence of a centralized assessment comparing charging availability with the rising number of EVs—a gap that needs future attention. Still, Karnataka maintains its strong position, reinforcing the narrative of Karnataka being second in EV charging networks across India.
Highway Presence and Urban Dominance
Beyond OMC-run chargers, broader data from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) shows Karnataka hosting over 5,800 public charging points, with nearly 80% located in Bengaluru. The state also ranks second in highway charging infrastructure, with 489 chargers along 8,191 km of National Highways.
Future Expansion: Government Plans for 2026 and Beyond
The Karnataka Budget 2026 has unveiled ambitious plans to further strengthen the charging ecosystem:
- 1,250 new charging stations under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, costing ₹777 crore
- 2,000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) set to be installed in Huliyur, Pavagada, and Kushtagi
- A digital land aggregator portal by BESCOM to simplify approvals for private operators
These initiatives are expected to push infrastructure growth even further, solidifying Karnataka’s second place in EV charging network status in the coming years.
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