The Central government is preparing to rapidly bring electric vehicle charging infrastructure to India’s villages through a partnership designed to benefit EV users and rural communities. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has signed an agreement with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) to develop charging and battery-swapping facilities on publicly owned Panchayat property. EV Charging Stations on Panchayat Land could make electric mobility more accessible in smaller towns, rural communities and highway corridors, where dependable charging options remain limited.
Beyond supporting cleaner transportation, the programme seeks to turn underused public land into a recurring income source for local governing bodies nationwide.
What Is the New Government EV Charging Initiative?
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and CESL signed an MoU on October 30, 2026, to explore EV charging and battery-swapping facilities on Panchayat land, with potential revenue for rural local bodies.
Government-CESL Partnership: Who Will Do What?
The agreement was exchanged in New Delhi by Mukta Shekhar, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Akhilesh Kumar Dixit, Director of CESL. Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Secretary Vineet Joshi attended.
CESL is a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited under the Ministry of Power. It covers Gram, Block, and District Panchayats nationwide.
Responsibilities:
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj: Coordinate with state departments to identify and monitor suitable sites.
- CESL: Assess locations, aggregate demand, supply equipment, install, test, commission, operate and maintain facilities.
Where Will the Charging Stations Be Built?
EV Charging Stations on Panchayat Land are proposed at locations that can serve residents and travellers, including:
- Land near Gram Panchayat offices and other Panchayat premises.
- Suitable sites along state highways and national highways.
- Rural and semi-urban areas with potential charging demand.
The network could serve electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, and medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Battery-swapping services may also be developed where suitable.
How Much Revenue Could Panchayats Earn?
The initiative aims to strengthen Own Source Revenue (OSR), allowing Panchayats to fund village infrastructure, civic services and community welfare beyond government grants.
Under the Ministry of Power’s 2024 charging guidelines, public land offered to government or public entities may follow a ₹1 per kWh revenue-sharing model for ten years. However, project-specific commercial terms have not yet been announced.
Illustrative estimates suggest that smaller sites measuring 10 × 10 meters could generate around ₹3,000 monthly, while larger 20 × 25 meter sites could generate about ₹10,000. Returns depend on usage and contracts.
What Does This Mean for Rural India?
EV Charging Stations on Panchayat Land could reduce charging gaps outside major cities and support longer electric journeys. They also offer Panchayats a way to convert idle property into productive assets.
Mukta Shekhar highlighted CESL’s experience with the PM e-Bus Sewa program, supporting electric buses in cities including Delhi, Surat, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
The initiative aligns with the government’s vision of self-reliant Panchayats, cleaner villages and lower transport emissions. EV Charging Stations on Panchayat Land remain a proposed development: rollout timelines, station numbers, and individual locations are yet to be confirmed in the coming years.
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