EV Charging and Battery Swapping Stations to Come Up on Panchayat Land, MoU Signed with CESL
Ministry of Panchayati Raj signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power, for establishing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and battery swapping stations on Panchayat land.
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In a move to strengthen the finances of village councils and advance India’s clean energy goals, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) to set up Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and battery swapping stations on Panchayat land.
CESL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), which functions under the Ministry of Power.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, and Ministry Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi. The agreement was exchanged by Joint Secretary Mukta Shekhar on behalf of MoPR and Director Akhilesh Kumar Dixit on behalf of CESL.
The partnership brings together rural local governance, green mobility and sustainable revenue generation. It is expected to open up new Own Sources of Revenue (OSR) for Gram, Block and District Panchayats across States and Union Territories.
The initiative will take clean mobility infrastructure beyond urban centres. Charging and swapping facilities will come up at suitable locations along State and National Highways, as well as on Panchayat premises. They will serve two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
Under the agreement, the Ministry will coordinate with State Panchayati Raj Departments to identify and monitor suitable sites. CESL will handle site assessment, demand aggregation, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, and operation and maintenance of the facilities.
The initiative is in line with the Ministry’s efforts to empower Panchayats by boosting their own revenue generation. This includes the recently released Model Panchayat Tax, Rates and Fees Rules (Model OSR Rules), which offer a framework for transparent, accountable and locally driven revenue mobilisation.
Officials said Panchayat land will become a productive community asset, generating recurring income for civic services, infrastructure and community welfare. The project is also expected to improve access to EV services and reduce carbon emissions in rural areas.
Through the collaboration, MoPR and CESL will explore how Panchayat-level public assets can help expand electric-mobility infrastructure. The effort is meant to contribute to the wider objectives of clean and green villages, sustainable local development and financially stronger Panchayats.
