Highways to Prosperity: Abhijeet Sinha’s Vision for India’s Clean Mobility Economy
SOURCE: EVUNPLUGGED PUBLISHED DATE: 9TH JUNE 2025
An Exclusive Interview with Abhijeet Sinha, National Program Director – NHEV
India’s electric mobility revolution is shifting gears — and leading this highway transformation is the National Highway for Electric Vehicles (NHEV). At the center of this initiative is Abhijeet Sinha, the visionary National Program Director who has been championing evidence-based policy, tech pilots, and private-public partnerships to electrify India’s major routes.
In this exclusive EV Unplugged interview, Sinha opens up about the origins of NHEV, its challenges, breakthroughs, and what the future holds for India’s EV infrastructure.
You’ve played a pioneering role in leading the NHEV initiative, which has become a model for highway electrification in India. Could you take us back to the beginning — what inspired this vision, and how did your journey into clean mobility begin?
Abhijeet Sinha: Under previous government entities, the conversation around electric mobility in India was largely centered on transiting individual vehicles, from diesel or petrol to electric. But NHEV realized early on that if we wanted to enable large-scale EV adoption, NHEV needed to shift the focus from individual users to infrastructure. That’s how the National Highways for EV (NHEV) initiative was conceptualized — not to convert vehicles, but to convert highways and existing fuel stations into modern charging corridors.
Previous government entities focused on fixed, high-traffic OD (Origin-Destination) pairs — captive routes where the demand is constant and predictable. While the detailing, setup, and micro-planning for a petrol pump is well-documented and standardised in the public domain, when it came to EV charging stations, there was no such clarity. The absence of standard norms, operational frameworks, and structured guidelines made it confusing for early adopters.
Financing also posed a unique challenge. While the narrative and policy support existed at the macro level, financing these projects at an individual or entrepreneur level was a hurdle, largely because the revenue models weren’t clear. Infrastructure businesses like petrol pumps or metro projects had established CapEx and ROI cycles, but for EV charging stations, there was no data on breakeven periods or profitability timelines. This uncertainty often left potential investors hesitant.
That’s where NHEV made its mark — by addressing these three core issues: detailing, financing, and earning frameworks for EV infrastructure. We piloted models, standardized processes, and demonstrated viable financial models on real highways, making it easier for private players to step in and replicate the framework across the country. A key innovation in this journey was introducing the AHEM (Annuity Hybrid E-Mobility) model, a pioneering Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework that provided financial assurance to investors while enabling infrastructure operators to recover their investments sustainably. This bridged the gap between public ambition and private execution in India’s highway electrification drive.
The success of NHEV is often attributed to its unique public-private collaboration model. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while shaping this framework, and how were they addressed?
Abhijeet Sinha: The success of the NHEV initiative truly hinges on its innovative public-private partnership (PPP) framework, which we designed to balance risk, investment, and control among multiple stakeholders. One of the biggest challenges was creating a model that could be financially viable while remaining attractive to both public agencies and private investors.
Early on, we encountered uncertainty around revenue streams and return on investment, especially given that electric highway infrastructure was a relatively new concept in India. Investors were cautious because the adoption rates of electric vehicles were still emerging, and there wasn’t much historical data to build confidence. Additionally, aligning the interests of diverse stakeholders — from government bodies to private firms and even citizen investors — required careful negotiation and transparent governance structures.
To address the inherent complexities within the burgeoning electric mobility sector, we meticulously developed the Annuity Hybrid E-Mobility (AHEM) model—an inclusive, consultative, and comprehensive framework designed to foster sustainable growth. This model strategically distributes investment and associated risks across key stakeholders: the public sector, private developers, citizen investors, and state operators, thereby mitigating investor hesitation by offering annuity-linked returns and clearly defined roles. Furthermore, extensive tech trials established data-backed frameworks for usage, pricing, and breakeven analysis, providing empirical evidence to solidify financial assumptions. However, even with robust technical viability and a clear path to commercialization, the critical hurdle of regulatory compliance and approvals often remains.
This is precisely where the unique value proposition of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and the National Highway for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) initiative becomes indispensable, as EoDB stands as India’s premier emerging Tech-Piloting agency, uniquely positioned to deliver actual ‘Ease of Doing Business’ at grassroots levels by piloting and prototyping emerging technologies. It is this hands-on, evidence-based approach to piloting and prototyping that sets EoDB apart, making it a pivotal entity in facilitating the commercialization of new technologies within this vital sector, going beyond bureaucratic boundaries to deliver actual Ease of Doing Business.What sets this approach apart is its democratised, evidence-based policymaking process, rooted in real-time data and inclusive consultations with diverse stakeholders. By placing data-driven tech pilots at the heart of policy and financial decision-making, the NHEV initiative ensures that infrastructure development remains both commercially viable and socially responsive — a replicable model for India’s broader sustainable mobility ambitions.
As India continues to accelerate its EV transition, how do you view the current policy and regulatory ecosystem? In your view, what critical gaps still need attention?
Abhijeet Sinha: Firstly, there are three ways to make policy in India:
1️⃣ Copy-paste from the Western world.
Many times, we copy policies from other countries without checking if they suit our people, problems, and resources. Most of the time, these fail because what works in the West doesn’t always work here.
2️⃣ Consultant Appointment.
The government appoints experts or agencies to draft a policy. They write good reports, but on-ground implementation often struggles because the ideas haven’t been tested in real situations.
3️⃣ The new way — Evidence-Based Policy Making.
This is what we’ve introduced. We identify real, current problems and try to solve them by testing emerging technologies in the real world, not on paper.
This process has three simple steps:
● Pilot: Test the idea in a small area.
● Prototype: Improve it after learning from the pilot.
● Proof of Concept (PoC): Check if it works technically, financially, and socially before scaling up.
Why is this important?
Because without pilots and prototypes, ideas stay stuck in R&D labs and never reach markets or people. We need more real-world testing to move innovations from paper to practice, from trial to adoption. That’s how policies should be made — tested, proven, and ready for real use.
When emerging technologies are introduced into any sector, they provide a significant edge through new innovations, with a much larger impact. Historically, this impact has largely been enjoyed by only large companies. However, through evidence-based policy making, piloting and prototyping are now being democratized for all. This means even small companies are now able to leverage these new technologies. This is leading to national-level development and adoption, accelerating what might have taken 40 years to achieve now happening in the coming 10 years.
Second, financing mechanisms for smaller entrepreneurs and SMEs remain limited. While large players have access to capital, smaller entities often struggle due to a lack of historical revenue data and unclear business models. Expanding tailored financial products and credit support can help scale grassroots participation.
Third, the integration of renewable energy sources with charging infrastructure is still evolving. Policies encouraging grid flexibility, rooftop solar adoption, and energy storage need strengthening to ensure sustainable and cost-effective operations.
Lastly, after NHEV, electric mobility in India is no longer just a concept — it’s a proven, profitable, viable, and bankable business model. We’ve also developed and demonstrated the optimisation, assetisation, and monetisation of EV charging stations and electric highway infrastructure. The entire process is significantly sped up through on-ground real-world pilot runs, thereby accelerating the mega shift through real-world on-ground piloting and prototyping.
With the recent focus on sustainability, grid integration, and charging infrastructure, how is NHEV adapting or expanding its scope to align with these emerging priorities?
Abhijeet Sinha: The National Highways for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) initiative is evolving swiftly, aligning with India’s growing focus on sustainability, grid integration, and advanced EV charging infrastructure. As part of this transition, we are deploying 3rd Generation Energy Stations along green highways — a transformative leap from traditional fuel stations.
SOURCE : NHEV
Energy Station Evolution:
- 1st Generation: Conventional Petrol & Diesel
- 2nd Generation: LNG & CNG Stations were added
- 3rd Generation: 36 EV Chargers (mandatory) LNG and CNG (optional), Diesel and Petrol eliminated
Each NHEV Energy Station is designed to meet a total energy demand of 3.2 megawatt-hours (3200 kWh), distributed smartly through four compact substations of 800 kWh each. This modular design ensures energy efficiency, operational resilience, and optimised integration with renewable energy sources.
Energy Distribution Strategy:
800 kW Thermal Grid Substation
Operational for the first 5 years from commissioning to ensure seamless grid support during the transition phase.
800 kW Solar Substation with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Enables smart energy management, optimizing the capture, storage, and dispensing of renewable power for EV charging.
800 kW Green Energy Substation from Vertical Wind Turbines
Innovative wind energy harvesting infrastructure along road separators to contribute to decentralised, clean power generation.
800 kW Green Hydrogen Substation
Equipped with micro-electrolysers powered by surplus solar and wind energy, producing green hydrogen for future mobility and grid balancing.
These aren’t just charging stations — they are smart energy hubs, integrating grid management systems, renewable power, and energy storage to offer reliable, resilient, and sustainable EV charging infrastructure.
Viksit Bharat National Masterplan for decarbonisation of surface transport Timeline:
- 2025-2027: Pilot commissioning of 3rd Generation Energy Stations along Bharatmala and Sagarmala Routes (5000 km)
- 2030–2035: Nationwide deployment of these advanced, 3rd generation energy stations.
- 2035–2040: Transition from 3rd generation (3200 kWh) to 5th generation (5000 kWh) Energy Stations.
- 2040–2047: Elimination of thermal grid dependency, station capacity will be scaled up to 5000 kWh, and integrated AI-enabled smart grids, ultra-fast charging technology, and wireless charging become standard.
NHEV’s 3rd Generation Energy Stations mark a paradigm shift, transforming highways into smart, self-sustaining energy corridors. This approach not only decarbonises mobility but also modernises India’s infrastructure in line with global net-zero commitments.
What do you envision as the next big milestone for NHEV and for India’s EV ecosystem at large? Are there new projects or strategies on the horizon that our readers should watch for?
Abhijeet Sinha: The next big milestone for NHEV and India’s EV ecosystem lies in transforming electric highways into fully resilient, economically viable, and investor-friendly green corridors — setting global benchmarks in both technology and business models.
The Delhi–Agra trial provided several critical insights. A 30-minute emergency EV backup mechanism proved effective in addressing battery-related breakdowns. Battery subscription models demonstrated the potential to reduce EV ownership costs by up to 30 per cent, thereby making adoption more affordable. Infrastructure utilisation exceeded 30 per cent of installed capacity, indicating healthy usage patterns even at an early stage of adoption. The financial modelling suggested that charging stations could reach breakeven within three years, even with a modest 3 per cent EV adoption rate. These findings laid the strategic foundation for broader implementation.
Looking further ahead, our 3rd Generation to 5th Generation Energy Station Vision elaborate further is another game-changer on the horizon. By 2040-2047, we aim to completely eliminate thermal grid dependency, scaling station capacities to 5000 kW while integrating AI-powered smart grids, ultra-fast charging, and renewable-only energy sources like vertical wind turbines and green hydrogen micro-grids.
Further underscoring the commitment to ‘Ease of Moving’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’, NHEV aims to provide uniform charging rates on highways across states for freight, logistics, and individual EV users and fleets. This initiative will be complemented by world-class amenities, including safety and clean toilet facilities, along with comprehensive roadside assistance for medical and emergency needs. These provisions are strategically aligned with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India’s ‘HUMSAFAR Rajmarg Yatra’ and ‘Wayside Amenities Initiatives’, fostering a truly seamless and supportive ecosystem for electric mobility.
Lastly, these initiatives aren’t just about vehicles and stations. They’re strategic components of a larger vision for India’s ₹2 trillion climate economy roadmap by 2030. By transforming national infrastructure, mobility, freight, and logistics into clean, tech-enabled ecosystems, NHEV isn’t just preparing for EV adoption — it’s actively building the green economy backbone of a Viksit Bharat vision for 2047.
Finally, as someone who has shaped key aspects of India’s EV story, what message would you like to share with policymakers, startups, and young professionals entering this sector?
Abhijeet Sinha: The decarbonisation of surface transport is not just an environmental imperative — it’s a strategic economic priority. A truly independent economy of the future will be one that isn’t held hostage to volatile global oil prices. The creation of a green economy insulated from fossil fuel dependency is a fundamental necessity for every nation today, especially in light of the growing global uncertainty following the disappointment of COP29.
Now, the world’s eyes are on large economies like India — watching how we chart this crucial course towards sustainable mobility and clean logistics.
For India, this journey has two vital objectives:
- Decarbonising surface transport infrastructure, and
- Reducing logistics spend from 14% of GDP to below 9%, in line with global benchmarks.
As the world’s fourth-largest economy, every milestone we achieve here will become a blueprint for smaller and emerging economies — not just in Asia but across Africa, Latin America, and other developing regions. Which is why, for industries, startups, innovators, and solution providers working in India’s EV and clean mobility ecosystem, it’s important to realise: you’re not just developing for India — you’re building for the world.
We already have proven examples to be proud of, particularly when drawing a comparison with Germany’s advancements in electric mobility. While Germany conducted its initial EV trials over shorter distances, such as 10 KM in 2020 and 12 KM in 2020, followed by 3.4 KM in 2021, India significantly outpaced this with trials spanning much greater lengths, including 225 KM in 2021, 272 KM in 2022, and a 3rd Generation trial also in 2022. Looking ahead to 2030, India plans to upgrade 5,500 km of highways, surpassing Germany’s 4,000 km target. Furthermore, India’s cost efficiency is remarkable, achieving upgrades at approximately 1 Cr INR/Km compared to Germany’s 22 Cr INR/Km. From batteries, two-wheelers, and four-wheelers to electric rail tracks, advanced charging systems, and smart freight corridors — India has successfully piloted, tested, and proven technologies. Many of these products, services, and mobility solutions are now being manufactured in India and exported to international markets, solidifying India’s position as a global leader in the EV ecosystem. And this is just the beginning.
My message to policy makers, government agencies, industry leaders, financial institutions, and innovators is clear — come together and commit to this National Master Plan for a Viksit Bharat for decarbonisation of surface transport . It’s not just about domestic progress; it’s about positioning India as a global leader in clean mobility and sustainable logistics.
Success in this transformation demands strategic collaborations between government, industry , and investors. By synchronising policy reforms, technological advancements, and focused investment, we can build a resilient, scalable, and stable green mobility ecosystem. One that accelerates adoption, reduces emissions, and creates entirely new economies of opportunity for future generations.
Abhijeet Sinha
Program Director NHEV
