Chennai, July 15 (IANS) Tamil Nadu government has set an ambitious target of establishing 20,000 public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state by 2031 as part of its long-term strategy to promote clean mobility, strengthen charging infrastructure and encourage private investment in the fast-growing EV sector.

The roadmap was discussed at a series of high-level meetings held in Chennai over the past two days, where senior government officials and industry experts reviewed the existing charging infrastructure and identified measures required to expand the network in line with the state’s electric mobility goals.

A review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Sai Kumar was held at the Secretariat on Tuesday to assess the present status of EV charging facilities in Tamil Nadu and examine the pace of infrastructure development.

Officials deliberated on the challenges in expanding the charging network and explored strategies to ensure widespread access to charging facilities across urban and rural areas.

Following the review, a high-level technical meeting was convened on Wednesday under the chairmanship of the Chairman and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (TNPDCL). Representatives from ITDP India and the Mentor Tamil Nadu initiative participated in the discussions, which focused on technical planning, policy support and implementation strategies for scaling up the charging infrastructure.

During the meeting, the government reaffirmed its commitment to creating 20,000 public charging stations by 2031, a move expected to significantly improve the accessibility of charging facilities and boost consumer confidence in adopting electric vehicles.

Officials noted that expanding the charging network is a crucial component of Tamil Nadu’s broader clean energy and sustainable transport agenda.

A well-distributed charging ecosystem is expected to encourage greater adoption of electric cars, two-wheelers, buses and commercial vehicles while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

The initiative is also aimed at attracting greater private sector participation in setting up and operating charging stations through supportive policies and investment-friendly measures.

By encouraging private investment, the government hopes to accelerate infrastructure development without placing the entire financial burden on the public sector.

The expansion of charging infrastructure is expected to play a key role in reducing vehicular emissions, improving urban air quality and supporting Tamil Nadu’s climate action goals.

Officials said the coordinated efforts of government agencies, industry stakeholders and technical partners would be critical to achieving the 2031 target and positioning Tamil Nadu as one of India’s leading electric mobility hubs.

–IANS

aal/dpb