Solar-Powered EV Highways: India’s transportation sector is evolving faster than ever before. Once dependent on fossil fuels and import-heavy infrastructure, the country is now pioneering solar-powered, electric highways—roads that can charge electric vehicles (EVs) wirelessly while in motion. These next-gen highways represent the ultimate fusion of renewable energy and mobility. By 2025, the concept of solar electric roads—once seen as futuristic—is already under construction across key national corridors including Delhi–Jaipur and Delhi–Agra.
Introduction: The Dawn of Smart Mobility
Global economies are racing toward carbon neutrality, with the transport sector responsible for almost 25% of global CO₂ emissions. For India, where the number of vehicles is projected to reach 300 million by 2030, electric vehicle adoption is essential. Yet challenges persist: high dependency on coal-powered charging stations and long travel distances limit EV efficiency.
Enter solar-powered EV highways, where the road itself becomes a power source. Using advanced solar PV integration, wireless induction charging, and battery storage, India’s solar highways aim to create self-sustaining transport networks that don’t just move vehicles—but power them.
The concept blends solar infrastructure, IoT-based traffic management, and EV charging architecture, marking a milestone in India’s ₹2.44 lakh crore renewable transformation plan.
What Are Solar-Powered EV Highways?
Solar EV highways are intelligent energy-generating roadways lined or embedded with solar panels capable of generating electricity. This clean power is used to:
- Charge EVs dynamically (while the vehicle is moving) using inductive charging coils.
- Feed surplus solar power into on-site battery stations for use during night travel.
- Power LED lighting, sensors, traffic cameras, and IoT systems along the route.
India’s first pilot—Atal Harit Vidyut Rashtriya Mahamarg—targets 500 km of solar-electric corridors between Delhi–Jaipur–Agra, forming part of the National Highway for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) under the Greenfield Expressway Mission, slated for full implementation by 2025.
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India’s Solar Electric Highway Projects in 2025
1. Delhi–Jaipur–Agra E-Highway Network
India’s first fully solar-integrated expressway enables EVs to charge while driving.
Key Features:
- Length: 500 km
- Technology: Wireless dynamic inductive charging under road surface.
- Solar Infrastructure: Rooftop and roadside photovoltaic arrays.
- Powered By: Solar EV charging hubs every 25 km.
Advantages:
- Eliminates “range anxiety” for long-distance travelers.
- Integrated 3G solar energy stations power vehicles and smart road systems.
- Reduces emissions by 70 lakh tonnes annually.
2. National Highway for Electric Vehicles (NHEV) Program
The backbone of India’s e-mobility dream, NHEV aims to convert over 5,500 km of national highways into e-roads.
Key Corridors:
- Delhi–Kolkata via Varanasi
- Chennai–Trichy–Madurai
- Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Freight Corridor
Investment: ₹5,000 crore under the Hybrid PPP Model (AHEM: Annuity Hybrid E-Mobility).
Each corridor features:
- Solar EV Charging Parks with battery energy storage.
- Emergency solar grid backup for uninterrupted supply.
- Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) integration for smart energy exchange.
This expansion cements India’s role among early leaders in clean, connected highway ecosystems.
3. Samruddhi Mahamarg Solar Expressway – Maharashtra
The 701 km Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg became India’s first solar power-generating expressway in 2025.
Specifications:
- Solar Capacity: 9 MW (Phase 1)
- Locations: Karanja Lad (Washim) and Mehkar (Buldhana).
- Generated electricity powers lighting, toll plazas, digital displays, and part of the EV charging stations.
- Generates carbon credits for infrastructure funding and grid stabilization.
Impact:
This multi-utility highway merges transport and power generation, converting every kilometer into an energy asset.
Technology Behind Solar-Powered EV Highways
1. Dynamic Wireless Charging
Embedded coils along the asphalt transfer energy to the EV via electromagnetic induction. The vehicle is charged while driving, eliminating downtime.
2. Photovoltaic Road Panels
Special tempered-glass panels installed along or integrated into road surfaces capture sunlight safely while supporting vehicle weight and traction.
3. Smart Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Solar highways use roadside microgrids and BESS units to store excess energy, ensuring round-the-clock availability even during cloudy conditions.
4. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Connectivity
When stationary, EVs can double as energy sources, feeding electricity back into the highway’s shared microgrid.
5. IoT and AI Analytics
Sensors embedded in roadside units track traffic density, charging usage, and energy flow, optimising operations and safety through predictive maintenance.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
| Benefit | Description |
| CO₂ Reduction | Over 70 lakh tonnes cut per year through EV adoption . |
| Fuel Import Savings | Reduces dependency on ₹8 lakh crore annual crude imports. |
| Energy Independence | Solar power reduces grid vulnerability and load. |
| Cleaner Air | Lower emissions mean improved AQI in highway corridors. |
| Revenue Generation | Carbon credits and energy trading supplement toll revenue. |
The integration of solar PV + EV + IoT modernizes India’s infrastructure while aligning with its Net Zero 2070 mission.
The Role of Public and Private Players
Government of India
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Ministry of Power (MoP) coordinate the national electrification blueprint with the MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) funding R&D for solar EV corridors.
Public Sector Enterprises
- NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd (NTPC REL): Setting up 140 solar-wind hybrid charging hubs.
- Power Grid Corporation: Managing smart transmission across green energy highways.
Private Partnerships
- Servotech Power Systems and Tata Power provide fast chargers and inverters.
- Tech Mahindra supports IoT-based “smart traffic” systems for city-to-highway connectivity.
Solar Highways and EV Infrastructure Integration
Charging Infrastructure Upgrades
The EV Charging Policy 2025 mandates stations every 25 km along highways and every 3 km in urban areas.
Solar EV Charging Stations Include:
- 50–200 kWp rooftop solar setups.
- DC fast chargers powered by solar + storage.
- Mini-grids functioning as energy islands during grid failure.
These solar charging networks ensure electrification while preventing load pressure on India’s coal-dependent central grid.
Economic Model and Financing
India’s solar highway program operates on a Hybrid PPP model combining private innovation with public infrastructure execution:
| Component | Funding Source |
| Solar Installation (PV Panels, BESS) | Private consortium (80%) & Viability Gap Funding (MNRE 20%) |
| EV Charging Infrastructure | NHEV private partners (Tata, Servotech, NTPC REL) |
| Road Development Cost | MoRTH with Green Bonds & carbon trading revenue . |
Global Comparisons
| Country | Project | Key Feature |
| Sweden | eRoadArlanda | Dynamic in-road charging (109 km pilot). |
| South Korea | Gumi Electric Road | Wireless charging with magnetic coils. |
| France | Wattway Project | Asphalt-integrated PV system. |
| India | Atal Solar EV Highway | 500+ km dynamic charging corridor powered by distributed solar microgrids. |
India’s e-highways surpass others in scale and cost-efficiency, using localized technology and domestically manufactured equipment.
Enabling “Smart Mobility Cities”
The evolution of solar highways is closely tied to India’s smart city ecosystem, promoting zero-emission logistics corridors.
Smart Integration Features:
- AI traffic lights powered by roadside solar stations.
- IoT road sensors for real-time traffic, weather, and charging analytics.
- EV rest areas with solar parking lots and Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Solar canopies at toll booths and parking zones for integrated microgeneration.
Challenges and Roadblocks
| Challenge | Description | Potential Solution |
| High Initial Costs | Construction and maintenance of solar-enabled roads are 30–40% costlier. | Public-Private Models, Green Bonds, Swachh Bharat carbon funds. |
| Heat Resistance & Durability | Requiring specialized PV surface material. | R&D on tempered anti-slip glass & thermal resilient coatings. |
| Integration With Existing Highways | Retrofitting older roads is complex. | Focusing on Greenfield expressways first. |
| Battery Disposal & Recycling | EV battery lifecycle poses sustainability issues. | Circular economy model for lithium recovery. |
The Future: Hydrogen and Solar Synergy
Complementing solar e-highways, India’s vision includes hydrogen highways announced by Nitin Gadkari in 2025. These combine renewable hydrogen fueling stations with solar and wind hybrid charging grids, supporting both battery and fuel-cell EVs.
Together, solar and hydrogen corridors will redefine long-haul logistics, facilitating cleaner transportation for buses, trucks, and freight vehicles.
Impact Projection: 2025–2030
| Metric | 2025 | 2030 Target |
| Solar E-Highway Length | 1,200 km | 5,500 km |
| EVs Supported Daily | 50,000+ | 2 million+ |
| Annual Fuel Savings | ₹3,000 crore | ₹12,000 crore |
| CO₂ Emission Cut | 10 lakh tonnes | 70 lakh tonnes |
Such outcomes position India as a leader in green infrastructure, driving job creation in solar manufacturing, road retrofitting, and e-mobility services.
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Conclusion
India’s solar-powered EV highways are more than transportation—they are a statement of ambition. By linking renewable energy with advanced mobility, India is building roads that charge vehicles, reduce pollution, and generate power.
The fusion of solar grids, IoT analytics, wireless charging, and battery storage is transforming highways into an ecosystem of self-reliant, sustainable innovation.
As 2025 marks the beginning of this futuristic endeavor, India is poised to redefine how the world views renewable transport—one sunlit mile at a time.
FAQs
Q1. What are solar-powered EV highways?
They are smart highways that use solar energy to power EV charging infrastructure, some enabling wireless charging as vehicles move.
Q2. Which is India’s first solar EV highway project?
The Delhi–Jaipur–Agra e-highway under the NHEV initiative is India’s first solar-integrated electric corridor.
Q3. How do solar highways benefit the environment?
They cut carbon emissions, conserve grid power, and promote zero-emission mobility powered by renewable energy.
Q4. What are dynamic wireless chargers?
They recharge EV batteries automatically while in motion via underground electromagnetic systems.
Q5. What is India’s target for 2030?
Over 5,500 km of solar EV highways, reducing annual fuel imports and establishing India as a green transport pioneer.
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