The Central Government is set to introduce a major digital platform aimed at simplifying electric vehicle charging across India. Named Unified Bharat E-Charge (UBC), the new system will allow EV users to locate charging stations, access charging services, and make payments through a single unified application, regardless of the charging company. The announcement was made by Union Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy during an EV Charging Infrastructure Conference held in Bengaluru. According to the government, the platform is designed to function in a way similar to India’s UPI system, creating interoperability between different EV charging operators and offering a seamless experience to users.
At present, EV owners often need multiple apps to access charging stations operated by different companies. With the rollout of the UBC platform, users will be able to search for chargers, use charging slots, and complete payments from a single interface. The government believes this move will significantly improve convenience and encourage faster adoption of electric vehicles across the country. The Ministry of Heavy Industries is developing the platform in coordination with the Ministry of Power, state governments, and industry stakeholders. Alongside digital integration, the government is also focusing on charging standardization and strengthening power grid infrastructure to support the rapid growth of electric mobility.
Officials emphasized that future EV infrastructure development will focus on three major goals — accessibility, affordability, and reliability. The government also aims to expand charging infrastructure beyond metro cities into smaller towns and rural regions, ensuring wider EV adoption nationwide. The initiative comes under the broader PM E-DRIVE Scheme, which has a total budget allocation of ₹10,900 crore. Out of this, ₹2,000 crore has been specifically earmarked for developing public EV charging infrastructure across India.
