Charging Ahead: India Surpasses 27,000 EV Stations at Petrol Pumps as Ather Overtakes Ola

If 2025 was the year of “AI everywhere,” it was also the year India finally broke the back of “Range Anxiety.” According to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas’s year-end report released today, December 26, 2025, India has successfully installed over 27,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at petrol pumps across the nation.

This infrastructure surge comes at a critical time as the electric two-wheeler market sees its most significant leadership shift in years.

1. The 27k Milestone: Powering the Highways

Under the government’s FAME-II and newer PM E-DRIVE initiatives, the transition of traditional petrol pumps into “Integrated Energy Stations” has hit warp speed:

• The Numbers: 8,932 stations were funded via government schemes, while Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) invested their own capital to build another 18,500+ points.
• The Locations: The focus has shifted from just city centers to major highway corridors, making long-distance EV travel across states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh a reality.
• Energy Hubs: These aren’t just chargers; they are being developed as hubs offering biofuels, CNG, and high-speed EV charging alongside traditional fuels.

2. Market Shake-up: Ather Energy Pips Ola Electric

In the world of hardware, sales figures for late 2025 reveal a dramatic twist. For the first time, Ather Energy has overtaken Ola Electric in monthly registrations.

• Ather’s Rise: Ather recorded nearly 1.98 lakh registrations in 2025, with a strong December showing of 13,898 units.
• Ola’s Slump: Ola Electric, which dominated 2024, saw sales fall below the 10,000-unit mark in November and December.
• The Reason: Analysts point to Ather’s focus on “build quality” and “service reliability” winning over consumers after a year of public complaints regarding Ola’s service infrastructure.

3. The “APNA GHAR” Project for Truckers

Beyond cars and scooters, the government today highlighted the success of the “APNA GHAR” project. Over 500 rest areas have been created for long-haul truckers, equipped with digital tools for route optimization and clean facilities. This is a massive step toward improving road safety and formalizing the logistics sector.

4. What Happens on January 1st?

As we move into 2026, the PM E-DRIVE scheme remains the primary driver. However, OEMs (manufacturers) have been warned today that incentive claims for certain categories (like e-3Ws) registered after today, December 26, will no longer be entertained under the current target blocks.

The Bottom Line: India’s EV story is moving from “early adoption” to “mass utility.” With 27,000 chargers now dotting our petrol pumps, the excuse of “where will I charge?” is officially becoming a thing of the past.