NEW DELHI, Oct. 24 -- The heavy industries ministry has asked states to secure land and install infrastructure that will enable the rapid deployment of 72,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across the country, two people aware of the development said.

The push is part of a Rs.2,000 crore incentive plan that states can avail funding from under the broader Rs.10,900 crore PM E-Drive scheme.

"Discussions with state governments have already begun," said one of the persons requesting anonymity. "The aim is to usher states through the process of appointing nodal agencies, aggregating demand for chargers, and securing proper land for chargers," the person said.

Upstream infrastructure such as transformers are necessary while setting up EV cha...