Despite increasing demand for cleaner transport, West Bengal’s EV growth faces hurdles with inadequate charging infrastructure, forcing most users to rely on private setups.
While electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to rise in West Bengal, the state’s transition to e-mobility is facing significant challenges due to inadequate, poorly maintained, and insufficiently publicised charging infrastructure, according to a recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
The official data reveals that the state has over 143,000 registered EVs and 763 public charging stations. However, more than 80 per cent of EV owners rely on private charging setups at home or work.
On the other hand, many public stations are either difficult to locate, out of service, or incompatible with specific vehicle models. The state’s planned mobile app to map charging stations has yet to materialise, further exacerbating the issue.
According to a survey by the Times of India, one EV owner described how he struggled to find a functioning charging station after his vehicle’s battery ran low. When he finally located one, it was closed, and at another, the charger did not fit his car’s socket.
Another user noted that public charging stations, intended to function like petrol pumps for traditional vehicles, are often inaccessible or non-operational, making long-distance travel difficult.
To address these challenges, the Union Ministry of Power revised its guidelines in September 2024, introducing a uniform EV tariff for public chargers, capped at the average cost of supply until March 2028.
While these policies aim to improve accessibility and affordability, the CSE report stresses that their success will depend on making the existing infrastructure more functional and visible.
Experts emphasise that EVs are crucial for reducing urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Delaying EV adoption would be a missed opportunity to combat pollution, particularly in cities like Kolkata.
The state has seen encouraging growth in EV numbers, especially in the commercial and three-wheeler sectors. As of 31st March 2025, the government data reveals that West Bengal has registered a total of 22,710 electric vehicles under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme. This includes 19,387 electric two-wheelers (e-2W) and 3,323 electric three-wheelers (e-3W).
However, experts warn that the vision of a clean, electrified transport system could falter without reliable, accessible public charging stations.
Some users also called for better regulation of charging station operators and suggested that the state government incorporate charging station locations into road signage, making the infrastructure easier to find.
