September 1, 2025: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has announced plans to set up eight new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway by the end of this year. Currently, the 94.5-km corridor has only five charging points, which EV users say are inadequate given the surge in electric vehicle registrations.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Vahan portal, Maharashtra has more than 5.58 lakh registered EVs, making it one of the country’s largest electric mobility markets. The expressway, which sees an average daily traffic of around 1.4 lakh vehicles, highlights the growing mismatch between demand and available charging infrastructure.
“A study is in progress to determine where the new stations would be located so that they are well distributed along the stretch. Another survey is being conducted to monitor EV traffic along the expressway and forecast demand in the future years,” a senior MSRDC official said.
To encourage EV adoption, the state government has already exempted electric vehicles from paying tolls on major intercity highways, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Samruddhi Mahamarg, and Atal Setu. The initiative aligns with Maharashtra’s broader vision of promoting sustainable transport and developing carbon-neutral highways.
However, commuters have repeatedly complained that several of the existing charging stations are either non-functional or poorly maintained, causing inconvenience to users. Officials said the new facilities must be completed on schedule to address such concerns. They also noted that plans include exploring public-private partnerships and tapping renewable energy sources to ensure the sustainability of the charging network.
The expansion of charging points on one of India’s busiest expressways is expected to significantly ease the journey for EV owners, while also advancing the state’s clean mobility agenda.
Source: The Indian Express
