The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will install eight new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations along the Mumbai–Pune Expressway by the end of the year, as part of a larger state initiative to promote clean mobility and develop carbon-neutral highways. This move seeks to support the increasing number of EV owners in the state and address range anxiety—a key challenge for long-distance EV travel.

At present, the 94.5-kilometre expressway has just five charging stations, which is insufficient given the rapid rise in EV registrations across Maharashtra. As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Vahan portal, the state has over 558,000 registered EVs, making it one of India’s largest EV markets. The expressway itself carries nearly 140,000 vehicles daily, amplifying the need for robust infrastructure.

Officials confirmed that a study is underway to strategically map locations for the new stations to ensure evenly spaced access. Another parallel survey aims to analyse EV traffic patterns on the expressway to forecast future infrastructure demand.

To complement the infrastructure push, the state government has rolled out incentives such as toll exemptions for EVs on key corridors including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Samruddhi Mahamarg, and Atal Setu. However, EV users have raised concerns about non-operational and faulty charging points across Maharashtra, undermining these efforts. Transport analysts argue that without reliable charging infrastructure, financial incentives alone will not be sufficient to drive adoption.

Industry experts consider the MSRDC initiative a vital step, though they stress the importance of timely implementation. Delays, they warn, could erode public confidence and private investment. Experts have also advocated for partnerships with private sector firms and renewable energy providers to ensure sustainable and scalable infrastructure rollout.

If completed as scheduled, the new stations are expected to boost confidence among current EV users and encourage prospective buyers who see charging access as critical to the purchase decision.