# Karnataka Leads India's EV Charging Readiness With 97 Score

> NITI Aayog's India Electric Mobility Index gives Karnataka a charging-readiness score of 97, while Uttar Pradesh scores 36 despite strong EV volumes.
- **Author**: Prakash
- **Published**: 2026-09-29
- **Modified**: 2026-09-29
- **Category**: news
- **URL**: https://bestev.in/news/karnataka-leads-indias-ev-charging-readiness-with-97-score-20260929

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Karnataka has received India's highest charging-infrastructure readiness score in NITI Aayog's India Electric Mobility Index 2025, scoring **97 out of 100**.

Maharashtra and Haryana followed with scores of 91. At the other end of the performer group, Uttar Pradesh scored **36**, exposing a sharp difference between EV registration volumes and charging preparedness.

## Karnataka's charging advantage

Karnataka had approximately **6,979 charging stations** and close to 15% EV penetration during the first five months of FY2026-27. The state ranked third overall in the index with a combined score of 73.

Its charging-readiness result reflects more than charger count. The index evaluates factors including:

- Charger-to-vehicle ratio
- Capital support for public chargers
- Infrastructure-development initiatives
- Building rules for charging
- Power availability
- Renewable-energy share

Bengaluru's technology ecosystem, relatively mature EV market and early policy activity have helped Karnataka build a stronger charging base.

## Why Uttar Pradesh can lead sales but trail on charging

Uttar Pradesh records high EV volumes, driven heavily by electric three-wheelers and last-mile commercial transport. Many of these vehicles use local or depot charging rather than the same public fast-charging network needed by electric cars.

That helps explain why strong transport electrification does not automatically translate into a high infrastructure-readiness score.

In August 2026, Uttar Pradesh led India's state EV registrations with approximately 42,007 units. Karnataka recorded about 26,597. Yet Karnataka's public-charging ecosystem scored far higher.

## Registration count and readiness measure different things

A state can achieve substantial EV adoption through one category while still having weak coverage for highway travel, apartment charging or electric-car fast charging.

Likewise, a strong charging score does not guarantee every charger is operational. Users also need reliable uptime, transparent pricing, safe sites and compatible payment systems.

## What lower-scoring states can learn

States seeking to close the gap should focus on:

- Enforcing EV-ready building rules
- Supporting apartment and workplace charging
- Publishing charger uptime
- Improving highway coverage
- Streamlining electrical connections
- Using renewable energy and storage where practical
- Coordinating public and private investment

## What drivers should check

The index is a strategic state-level measure, not a guarantee that a charger will be available on a specific route. Drivers should continue checking live status, connector compatibility and operating hours before travelling.

Karnataka's 97 score shows what coordinated policy and infrastructure can achieve. Uttar Pradesh's contrasting result shows that rising EV volumes must be matched with charging investment if adoption is to expand across vehicle categories.

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