new delhi, June 16 -- State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) may be nominated to lead the tendering process for 72,300 electric vehicle (EV) public charging stations under the Rs.10,900-crore PM E-drive scheme, two people aware of the development said. "With Bhel being the nodal agency for demand aggregation of EV charging stations, it is likely that it will also play a key role in tendering these charging stations to interested stakeholders," said the first of the two persons cited earlier, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. As the nodal agency, price discovery would be a key function of Bhel in its new role in India's evolving EV space, the second person said. Bhel's stock ended little changed at Rs.253.55 on the BSE on Friday. This assumes importance as the PM E-drive scheme, the Centre's marquee scheme to incentivize green mobility for consumers, has allocated about a fifth of its outlay-Rs.2,000 crore-to subsidise electric vehicle charging stations. Mint earlier reported about the heavy industries ministry working with the ministries of road transport and highways, civil aviation and power to identify locations to set up these EV charging stations. PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-drive) scheme, with a financial outlay of Rs.10,900 crore, came into effect on 1 October 2024 and will remain in force until 31 March 2026. Its main aim is to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, establish charging infrastructure and build a robust EV manufacturing ecosystem in the country. Under the scheme, the government plans to incentivise charging stations for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses and trucks. These chargers need to have a minimum capacity of 12 kilowatt for electric two- and three-wheelers, 60 kilowatt for electric four-wheelers and 240 kilowatts for electric buses and trucks. The plan includes incentivizing 22,100 chargers for electric four-wheelers, 48,400 for electric two- and three-wheelers, and 1,800 for electric buses and trucks....