PLI-Auto investments surpass Rs 44,000 crore as West Bengal expands EV charging network to 463 stations

The government's production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the automobile and auto component industry has attracted investments of Rs 44,326 crore as of March 31, 2026, surpassing the target of Rs 42,500 crore set for March 2027, the Ministry of Heavy Industries said on Tuesday.

The ministry said the PLI Scheme for the automobile and auto component industry, approved on September 23, 2021, with a budgetary outlay of Rs 25,938 crore, aims to strengthen India's manufacturing capabilities for Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products.

According to the ministry, approved applicants have already exceeded the investment target by reporting cumulative investments of Rs 44,326 crore.

On electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the ministry said that under the FAME-II Scheme, oil marketing companies -- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) -- had sanctioned 482 public EV charging stations in West Bengal, of which 463 were operational as of July 1, 2026.

The ministry said no assessment had been undertaken regarding the adequacy of charging infrastructure in the state.

It added that, under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, a proposal received from the West Bengal government does not include any EV charging stations for Mathurapur.

However, it proposes five public charging stations in South 24 Parganas district at Canning, Bakkhali, Diamond Harbour, Kakdwip and Namkhana.

The ministry said no financial assistance has been released to West Bengal under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme so far.

It noted that while Rs 912.50 crore was allocated under the FAME-II Scheme and Rs 2,000 crore under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme for deployment of EV public charging stations across the country, these allocations are made on a pan-India basis and not earmarked state-wise.

The ministry also reiterated that setting up EV charging stations is an unlicensed activity, allowing government agencies, private entities and other institutions to establish, operate and maintain charging infrastructure across the country without requiring a licence.