The Government of Himachal Pradesh, with support from ICLEI South Asia, continues to advance its commitment to sustainable transportation through the rapid expansion of electric mobility across the state.

In a move to reduce vehicular pollution in the state, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has approved a comprehensive proposal for the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at 402 government-owned locations, including Rest Houses, Circuit Houses, premises of the Jal Shakti and Public Works Departments, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited  (HPSEBL) offices, as well as offices of the District Collector, the Superintendent of Police, and the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA). The proposal, developed by Directorate of Transport in collaboration with ICLEI South Asia, was officially approved by the Cabinet on April 5, 2025, marking a major milestone in the state’s journey towards a greener future.

Installation of chargers at government rest houses, circuit houses, and similar locations will considerably enhance EV tourism, encouraging EV owners to drive into the state. Additionally, government electric vehicles will have access to these charging facilities, supporting the state’s mandate to adopt EVs for official use through the State Department of Transport’s E-taxi scheme, which plans to integrate 500 electric taxis and help reduce vehicular pollution and move towards making Himachal Pradesh a “Green State”.

To facilitate e-mobility adoption, the Directorate of Transport has already made significant progress. Under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, 41 charging sites are being established along the state’s six green corridors on national and state highways. Additionally, 23 petrol pump locations along the selected corridors are being equipped with EV charging stations.

To support this rapid growth, the newly approved proposal for charging infrastructure at government locations ensures a centralised and strategic deployment plan. This approach will enable optimal resource utilisation, faster implementation, and seamless integration of EVs into the state’s transport system.

With this milestone, Himachal Pradesh sets a leading example for other states in India, while ICLEI South Asia’s technical expertise and support continues to play a vital role in shaping the e-mobility landscape across the region.