The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MCL) has issued a tender to establish 50 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city under a 10-year public-private partnership to strengthen green mobility infrastructure. The initiative uses a user-pays model intended to make the network financially self-sustaining while supporting a shift to low-carbon transport. The civic authority said the move responds to rising demand from cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles.

The tender is open exclusively to central and state public-sector undertakings (PSUs), with the selected PSU accountable for end-to-end delivery. Responsibilities include installation of alternating current and direct current chargers, modular battery-swapping points and digital integration with mobile applications, QR and RFID authentication and online payment systems. The civic body will provide land and coordinate with power distribution companies to secure a stable energy supply.

Stations must include safety measures such as fire provisions, closed-circuit television surveillance, weatherproof enclosures and drainage to prevent waterlogging. Hubs are expected to incorporate IoT-enabled battery lockers and solar-integrated roofs where feasible, aligning design with central government incentives. Officials said digital integration and enhanced safety would be central to reliable operations.

The revenue framework sets a minimum payment to the municipal corporation of Rs one per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy dispensed, with extra income from advertising and space premiums and a 50-50 revenue split between the concessionaire and MCL. The model aims to generate municipal revenue while ensuring operator incentives for maintenance and customer service. Analysts said a commercially viable tariff and clear contractual terms will be necessary for long-term sustainability.

With EVs accounting for six per cent of the city’s vehicle registrations, MCL officials characterised Ludhiana as a high-traffic strategic hub where existing infrastructure is limited compared with growing demand, and they said the programme would prepare the city for further EV adoption. The combination of charging, swapping and solar options is intended to create a future-ready network that could serve as a model for industrial regions. The authority expects the project to improve convenience for users and contribute to decarbonisation goals.