MP EV Alert: Only 1 Charging Station for Every 200 Electric Vehicles, Long-Distance Travel Requires Caution

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh is aggressively promoting electric vehicles (EVs) with 100% exemption on motor vehicle tax, but the state’s EV infrastructure remains a major challenge. Alarmingly, there is only one EV charging station for every 200 electric vehicles in the state.

Infrastructure Gap and Safety Concerns
Despite government incentives under the FAME India Scheme and the PM e-Drive Scheme, and subsidies provided to oil marketing companies for setting up charging points, Madhya Pradesh still lags behind in EV infrastructure. The state has over 200,000 electric vehicles, but only 1,146 charging stations, placing it ninth among Indian states in EV charging availability. States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Kerala, and Gujarat are ahead in this regard.

Rise in EV-Related Accidents
Madhya Pradesh also ranks eighth nationally in EV-related accidents. In 2024, the state reported 89 fatalities and 868 injuries from 663 EV-related accidents. For comparison, Uttarakhand recorded the highest number of EV deaths with 369 fatalities.

Government Push vs Ground Reality
The state government, since December 8, 2025, has been encouraging EV adoption to promote environmental sustainability. Central Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha that private companies can also set up charging stations in line with government guidelines. However, the scarcity of charging points and the rise in accidents underline the urgent need for infrastructure expansion before EVs can be safely adopted on a large scale.

Advice for EV Owners
With such limited charging infrastructure, EV owners are advised to plan long-distance trips carefully and remain cautious about battery levels, as charging stations are sparse across the state.