Why DC Fast Chargers Are Critical for India’s Highway EV Push 

EV highway charging in India is rapidly becoming a priority as more drivers demand the ability to travel long distances without extended stops. Although the country’s charging network has grown fivefold since 2021, gaps persist, especially on intercity routes.  

This blog analyzes why DC fast chargers are now essential for India’s highway electrification, reviews current infrastructure and policies, and outlines what’s needed by 2030. It offers data-driven insights for EV stakeholders, infrastructure planners, and mobility professionals. 

Additionally, we also explore three key dimensions shaping that shift: 

1. Why DC fast chargers are indispensable for enabling long-distance EV travel and supporting heavy-duty electric vehicles on highways. 

2. The current state of EV highway infrastructure in India 

3. Government initiatives and policy frameworks driving large-scale fast-charger rollout, alongside the challenges 

The Role of DC Fast Charging for Highway Travel 

Current State of EV Highway Charging in India (2025) 

India has roughly 29,000 public charging points as of mid-2025, up from approx. 6,500 two years ago. This explosive growth has been urban-centric —Karnataka leads with approx. 5,765 chargers, followed by Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu. Highways and smaller towns still lag in charger density, reflecting an urban skew. Nationally only about 35% of public chargers are DC fast units; the rest are slower AC outlets.  

Highway corridors show patchy progress. Routes like Delhi–Jaipur (NH48) have fast chargers roughly every 80–100 km, while the Mumbai–Pune Expressway offers dense coverage (~50–70 km). However, many highway chargers non-functional or offline, eroding user confidence. Frequent outages stem from grid stress and poor maintenance. On average, public chargers operate only 60–70% of the time due to grid fluctuations and connectivity problems. While the numbers of stations are rising, reliability and fast-charger availability remain bottlenecks. 

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