Introduction

While the EV adoption rate in India has been rising, there is an increasing concern for sustainable EV ownership. The Hindu Business Line reports 20 lakh EVs on Indian roads. To serve these EVs, there are about 6,586 public charging stations currently in operation. This means that every charging station services on an average about 400-500 electric vehicles. The sale of domestic EVs is expected to rise at a CAGR of 49% according to the Economic Survey of India 2023, which in turn will drive the demand for charging stations.

The EV charging landscape

The current EV charging infrastructure in India can broadly be divided into three major categories – Level 1 (Slow Charging), Level 2 (Fast Charging), and Level 3 (Rapid Charging).

Smart charging technologies: While still in a nascent stage, smart charging systems are driven by intelligent algorithms that dynamically adjust charging based on factors like grid demand, electricity prices and user preferences. This will help to reduce strain on the power grid while ensuring EV charging stations optimise their energy usage, reducing the overall environmental impact.

Leveraging IoT in EV charging can enable remote monitoring and access to data through reports and dashboards. For instance, a charge point operator can remotely troubleshoot a critical device and ensure the smooth functioning even without a physical visit.

EV charging ecosystem: Key players

Charger manufacturers: Charging equipment manufacturers provide hardware and software solutions for homes, workplaces, and public charging stations. Several manufacturers have now also started partnering with electric vehicle manufacturers and offer hardware as part of the vehicle.

Charge point owners: Charge point owners are a key part of the ecosystem as they provide necessary infrastructure required to establish charging station set up anywhere. They are directly responsible for identifying the right location for setting up a charging station, allocate funds for the project and ensure that the necessary permissions are secured for establishing the project. Often, charge point owners are not involved in the daily operations, which are managed by charging point operators.

Charging point operators: A charging point operator provides EV charging service. Charge point operators are responsible for selecting and installing charging hardware, managing, and maintaining the charging station. Charge point operators must also ensure network connectivity, grid stability, fair pricing, troubleshooting, and implementing necessary upgrades to ensure that the charging infrastructure is always working in an optimal way.

Electric Mobility Service Providers (EMSPs)

EMSPs play a key role of connecting EV users to charging stations and are responsible for delivering a seamless user experience. Through responsive mobile apps and platforms, EMSPs provide real-time information on the nearest charging station and status. Some EMSPs also provide incentives for frequent users in the form of rewards and discounts.

In addition, the government’s push for EV adoption through policies and incentives are further driving the adoption of EVs and therefore the push for expansion of charging infrastructure.

Conclusion

The EV charging industry is evolving rapidly, where responsibilities of these players can occasionally overlap. The way forward would be when all the players work collaboratively to deliver a smooth and seamless experience for EV owners.