Introduction

India is among the handful of countries that support the global EV30@30 campaign, which aims to have at least 30% of new vehicles sold be EVs. (Source) Developing a widespread EV charging infrastructure will be fundamental in ensuring the seamless integration of EVs into the transportation landscape.

Government initiatives, incentives, and regulatory frameworks will not only improve the affordability of these vehicles, but also entice third-party players to invest in building and maintaining EV charging infrastructure.

Regulatory framework for EV charging

In India, EV industry regulation falls under the purview of the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Central and State governments come together to create and implement policies for setting up charging stations, licensing, tariff regulation, and quality control.

Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme

The FAME II scheme is one of the most significant schemes implemented by the Indian Government that focuses on boosting widespread EV adoption and addressing the challenges in the ecosystem. The scheme introduced several incentives for EV manufacturers and consumers, along with support for creating charging infrastructure.

Under phase I of the scheme, the Ministry of Heavy Industries sanctioned 520 Charging Stations nationwide. In phase II, this number went up to 2,877 charging stations in 68 cities across 25 states and Union Territories, and 1576 charging stations across 9 Expressways and 16 Highways.

In addition, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on chargers and charging equipment has been reduced from 18% to 5%, further incentivising the adoption of EV equipment and in turn making adoption of EVs more lucrative. (Source)

Guidelines for EV charging in India

The Ministry of Power has issued guidelines and standards for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles to enable faster adoption of EV policies in India. Here are the key excerpts from the document:

1. You can charge your vehicle at your home or office residence using your existing electricity connections.
2. Anyone can set up public charging stations, provided the stations meet the technical, safety, and performance standards set by the Ministry of Power, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and the Central Electricity Authority.
3. Public Charging Stations intending to apply for an electricity connection must submit a complete application to the Electricity Distribution Company licensee. Following this, the Distribution Company must provide the electricity connection for the said PCS within 30 days at maximum.
4. Public Charging Stations can obtain electricity from any distribution company through open access after paying the applicable surcharge.

State-wise EV policies on charging infrastructure

In addition to the guidelines from the central ministries, State Governments like Maharashtra, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Bihar, Punjab, and Uttarakhand provide incentives for private EV charger installations and public charging stations in densely crowded areas, such as malls, business districts, parking lots, and traditional fuel pumps.

Several State-level EV policies are in the works that will make it compulsory to install charging infrastructure in large-scale residential buildings and commercial complexes.

In addition, several states have invested in battery-swapping kiosks to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in ridesharing and last-mile delivery sectors. Most states looking to implement charging infrastructure in cities aim for at least one public charging station in a 3X3-kilometre grid. (Source)

Technical aspects of EV charging infrastructure

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) forms the core of EV charging infrastructure. It takes power from the local electricity supply and through a control system and wired connection safely charges electric vehicles.

EV charging depends on its battery specifications, as power must be supplied to the battery at the right voltage and current levels for safe charging. The table given below shows the battery capacities and voltage among different EV segments:

Electric vehicle (EV) charging involves converting alternate current (AC) from the grid to direct current (DC) for the battery. In AC charging, the onboard charger converts AC to DC, while in DC charging, an external converter directly supplies DC power to the battery.

Charging is categorized into four modes: Modes 1-3 for AC charging and Mode 4 for DC charging. Modes 1 and 2 use a cable and plug for standard outlet connection. Mode 1 lacks communication and is not recommended, while Mode 2 is suitable for home charging. Modes 3 and 4, designed for commercial or public charging, employ a separate charger device with advanced control systems.

EVSEs have different power ratings or levels based on charging requirements, which in turn determine the input power requirements for charging infrastructure.

Charging methods and Power ratings specified for Electric Vehicles Supply Equipment (EVSE) are as follows:

Conclusion

The Government of India has instituted several policies to promote EV charging infrastructure development nationwide. The EV industry acquired approximately $6 billion in investment at the start of this year, which can go up to $20 billion by 2030. That said, given the complicated nature of this new type of infrastructure, it is necessary to customise the electric vehicle policies to ensure that it fits the unique Indian transport ecosystem.