NHAI developing infrastructure for charging electric vehicles on highways: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is developing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles on highways. Addressing an event virtually, the Road Transport Minister further said that the automotive industry is passing through a challenging phase due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and he is happy that it is now in a recovery mode.

“NHAI is also developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure along highways to promote the use of electric vehicles,” he added. Gadkari pointed out that India’s auto sector contributes 7.1 percent to the overall country’s GDP and 49 percent to the manufacturing GDP. With an annual turnover of Rs 7.5 lakh crore and exports of Rs 3.5 lakh crore.

“I am happy to note that many global brands are entering India, as well as many local entrepreneurs setting up large facilities to produce electric vehicles on a large scale,” the minister said. According to a report, Gadkari said that electric two-wheeler sales in India stood at 13,345 units for the country as of July 2021, showing a jump of 229 per cent month-on-month and a year-on-year increase of 836 per cent in registrations. The year saw a jump. “It’s very encouraging,” he said.