In an effort to bolster the adoption of electric vehicles, the Maharashtra government has given the green light for the construction of eight charging stations along the Pune-Mumbai Expressway. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will manage the project, commencing with a survey to determine the strategic placement of these charging stations. The stations are designed to support multiple EVs charging at the same time. Maharashtra is a key EV market in India, boasting over 5.58 lakh registered EVs, as indicated by the Vahan portal data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The Pune-Mumbai Expressway, with its substantial daily traffic of around 1.4 lakh vehicles, has a clear need for enhanced charging facilities. The state government is implementing toll exemptions for EVs on key intercity routes like the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Samruddhi Mahamarg, and Atal Setu, promoting cleaner transportation and aiming for carbon-neutral highways. However, it is important to note that some existing charging stations are reportedly experiencing operational issues.
