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Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana Seeks Bids to Deploy EV Charging Stations and Battery Swap Facilities

The Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana (MCL) has invited bids from central and state public sector undertakings to establish electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and battery swapping points under a 10-year public-private partnership (PPP) framework. The deadline for bid submission is March 19, 2026, with technical bids scheduled to be opened on March 20.

Interested bidders must submit an earnest money deposit of Rs 1 million along with a tender fee of Rs 10,000. The selected developers will be responsible for the end-to-end scope, including feasibility studies, site assessments, installation of AC and DC chargers, deployment of charging management systems, integration of digital payment solutions, and providing customer support and maintenance services throughout the concession period.

Under the project, 50 EV charging stations equipped with necessary electrical infrastructure, software systems, and payment gateways must be installed, along with 10 modular battery swap stations. Each battery swap facility must accommodate 12 to 48 battery slots and include an integrated battery management system. Permissible battery chemistries include lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC), with capacities ranging from 1.5 kWh to 2.5 kWh per unit. Rooftop solar integration has been encouraged wherever feasible.

The revenue-sharing model stipulates a payment of Rs 1 per unit of electricity sold to MCL, along with 50% sharing of advertisement revenue. Additionally, operators utilizing parking space for more than three charging stations must pay Rs 2,000 per EV charging station.

Eligibility criteria require bidders to demonstrate prior experience in externally aided projects, overseas project management assignments, and consulting engagements with government departments. Applicants must also have executed turnkey construction works for central public sector enterprises and secured at least one government IT integration contract valued at Rs 50 million. Financial thresholds include a minimum annual turnover of Rs 200 million over the last three years and Rs 300 million in FY 2024–25, with defined contributions from consulting services.

The initiative aligns with the Union Cabinet’s ‘PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement Program’ and the ‘PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism Program,’ aimed at expanding electric mobility infrastructure. The move also follows guidelines issued by the Ministry of Power, which classify EV charging infrastructure as a de-licensed activity, allowing broader participation in the sector.