Building the Blueprint Powering India's E-Highway Transformation

India Benchmarking: Building a National E-Highway Network

India aims to develop an integrated E-Highway model focused on converting major national highways into an electric mobility network. The approach combines highway electrification with dedicated charging infrastructure, energy systems, digital monitoring and support services to create a scalable ecosystem for electric mobility.

The model is particularly focused on long-distance corridors and the simultaneous movement of passenger vehicles, buses and commercial freight, creating a broader infrastructure framework than conventional roadside charging alone.

USA Benchmarking: Learning from Global E-Highway Programs

As part of its long-term transition toward electric mobility, the United States has developed one of the world's largest highway charging ecosystems, led by large-scale fast-charging networks and extensive deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure. The country's approach provides valuable insights into high-speed charging, long-distance EV travel and scalable highway electrification.

While the U.S. model is primarily based on high-power stationary charging rather than overhead or in-road electrification, its extensive highway charging network demonstrates how national-scale infrastructure can support passenger EVs and increasingly electric heavy-duty vehicles.

Germany Benchmarking: Learning from Global E-Highway Programs

Germany has been one of the leading countries in testing electric road systems for heavy-duty freight transport. Its E-Highway approach uses overhead electric lines that allow specially equipped trucks to draw electricity while travelling, reducing dependence on large onboard batteries for long-distance freight.

The German model provides valuable insights into overhead electrification systems, electric freight corridors, hybrid truck operation and the integration of electric infrastructure directly into high-volume highway routes.

Sweden Benchmarking: Pioneering Electric Road Systems

Sweden has been an early pioneer in Electric Road Systems, testing technologies that allow vehicles to receive electricity while travelling. Its demonstration programmes have explored conductive rails and dynamic charging for both passenger and heavy-duty vehicles, providing practical experience in integrating electrification directly into road infrastructure.

The Swedish approach is particularly valuable for understanding dynamic charging, vehicle-road interoperability and the potential role of electrified corridors in reducing battery requirements for long-distance transport.

France Benchmarking: Developing Electric Road Systems for Freight

France is evaluating Electric Road Systems as a potential solution for decarbonising long-distance road freight. Its approach combines conventional high-power charging infrastructure with research into dynamic road electrification, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles travelling on major motorway corridors.

French studies have examined large-scale ERS deployment scenarios, providing useful benchmarks for infrastructure investment, corridor planning and the electrification of freight transport.

Quick Facts

Country: India

Target: 5,500 KM E-Highways

Key Corridors: Bharatmala & Sagarmala highway corridors

Primary Technology: 3G Charging Stations + integrated E-Highway infrastructure

Average Cost: ~₹1 Cr per KM

Active / Trialled Network 830 KM

Supported Vehicles: Electric Cars, Buses, Trucks & Commercial Vehicles

Funding Model: Hybrid public-private infrastructure model

Benchmark Purpose: Integrated national E-Highway development

Quick Facts

Country: United States

Target: 8,000 KM E-Highway infrastructure by 2030

Key Corridors: Interstate Highway Network

Primary Technology: High-Power DC Fast Charging

Average Cost: ~₹20 Cr per KM

Active Network: ~1,300 KM

Supported Vehicles: Passenger EVs & Electric Trucks

Funding Model: Public infrastructure investment + private charging networks

Benchmark Purpose: Global reference for large-scale highway EV charging

Quick Facts

Country: Germany

Target: 4,000 KM E-Highways by 2030

Key Corridors: A5 Autobahn & B462 Highway

Primary Technology: Overhead Electrification

Average Cost: ~₹22 Cr per KM

Active E-Highway: ~25.4 KM

Supported Vehicles: Scania Electric & Hybrid Trucks

Funding Model: Government-supported demonstration programmes

Benchmark Purpose: Global reference for E-Highway freight electrification

Quick Facts

Country: Sweden

Target: ~2,000 KM Electric Roads under earlier national ambition

Key Corridors: E20 & demonstration corridors

Primary Technology: Conductive Dynamic Charging

Average Cost: ~₹10–13 Cr per KM

Active Demonstration: ~1.6 KM Smartroad Gotland

Supported Vehicles: Electric Trucks & Buses

Funding Model: Government-supported demonstration programmes

Benchmark Purpose: Global reference for dynamic road electrification

Quick Facts

Country: France

2030 Scenario: ~4,837 KM ERS Network

Key Corridors: Major Motorway Freight Routes

Primary Technology: Dynamic Electric Road Systems

Estimated Average Cost: ~₹51.7 Cr per KM

Demonstration: ~2 KM pilot-scale deployment

Supported Vehicles: Electric Heavy Trucks

Funding Model: Government studies + public-private demonstration projects

Benchmark Purpose: Reference for large-scale electric freight corridors