India is among the fastest-growing EV markets and has a massive need for a sound EV charging network. In order to inform and guide existing and potential EV owners and investors in India, it is crucial to assess the current state of the charging infrastructure and the probable future development costs. This article captures the nature of the charging infrastructure across India, cost of charging and trends of growth.
Current Status of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in India
There are 12,146 public EV charging stations available in India as per February 2024. This was a fairly higher number as compared to 6,586 charging stations only projected for March 2023 due to the enhancement of the charging stations across the country.
Maharashtra and Delhi were found to be the most popular places as they have 3,079 and 1,886 charging stations respectively.
Types of EV Charging Stations and Their Costs
- AC Normal Chargers:
- Charging Time: 4-6 hours to charge from 0% to 80%.
- Cost per kWh: ₹7-10.
- Ideal For: Home and workplace use where vehicles are parked for extended periods.
- DC Fast Chargers:
- Charging Time: 50-60 minutes to charge from 0% to 80%.
- Cost per kWh: ₹12-15.
- Ideal For: Public areas, highways, and quick top-ups for long-distance travel.
Key Players in the EV Charging Infrastructure
Several companies are leading the development of electric vehicle charging stations in India, helping to meet the growing demand:
- Tata Power: Currently, they have placed about 2,000 charging stations and aim to reach 25,000 by 2025.
- Statiq: They have proposed to establish 20000 EV charging stations across the country and to cover both regions of the country.
- ChargeZone: They are active in over 9,000 charging stations and are growing their network across relevant cities and highways daily).
Trends Shaping Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in India
- Rapid Expansion of Charging Networks: The availability of public charging stations is believed to rise sharply with the sales and use of electric vehicles. India may require up to 1,32,000 public charger points by 2030 to meet the increasing requirement.
- Integration with Renewable Energy: Recently, more charging stations are being connected to renewable energy sources such as solar energy to cut their carbon footprint and improve the greenness of the charging infrastructure.
- Government Support and Incentives: The Indian government has come up with various incentives and policies to encourage the use of EVs and related charging equipment including the FAME India Scheme and state-wise incentives.
- Battery Swapping Solutions: Battery swapping is gradually finding its way as a form of charging revenue model especially for commercial EVs. This model enables drivers to change a battery that has depleted its energy with one that has maximum charge, thus cutting down on the time the vehicle is out of the road.
Choosing the Right Charging Station
- Location: Select a station that is easily accessible from your house or your place of work.
- Charging Speed: DC fast chargers are to be used for fast charging sessions while the AC chargers are to be used when the driver can afford to spend more time charging his or her battery.
- Cost per kWh: Be careful with the price since the price is different depending on the location and type of the station.
- Compatibility: Make sure the charging station will fit into your car’s charging socket and that it will deliver adequate power.
DK charges are another significant step towards establishing electric charging stations in India so that electric mobility becomes the norm on India’s roads. As the government continues to offer support to build charging points and more investors come into the market the charging infrastructure is expected to expand rapidly. Since people are likely to embrace the use of electric cars in the future, charging stations will be vital when they are available and well located.
