Exploring the EV Charging Landscape in India

Electric cars, or EVs, are becoming a key tool in the fight against climate change, lowering air pollution, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The creation of a reliable, easily accessible, and effective charging infrastructure is still necessary for EV adoption to become widely successful.

This article will explore the different types of EV charging stations in India, the current number of chargers installed across the country, and the policies in place to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

The Need for EV Charging Infrastructure

The availability of a dependable charging infrastructure is equally as important to the growth of EV adoption as the cost, performance, and range of vehicles. One of the main obstacles to EV adoption is "range anxiety," which can only be reduced with a strong charging network. Range anxiety refers to the fear that an EV will run out of battery before reaching a charging station, thus limiting its usability and convenience.

With government incentives, increasing environmental awareness, and growing interest from manufacturers, the demand for electric vehicles is expected to rise exponentially in the coming years. To meet this growing demand, a robust charging network is more important than ever in India.

Types of EV Charging in India

AC Charging Stations (Level 1 and Level 2)

AC charging stations are the most common and are widely used for home or workplace charging. These stations are typically slower than DC fast chargers but provide an affordable and convenient option for overnight charging.

Level 1 (500W-3 kW): Typically used in home environments, Level 1 chargers are slow, taking several hours to fully charge an EV.

Level 2 (7-22 kW): These chargers are faster and are often installed in public areas like parking lots or offices. Level 2 charging stations reduce the time needed for a full charge but still require several hours.

Home charging remains the most affordable option for EV owners. With electricity rates averaging ₹5-8 per kWh in India, the cost of charging your EV at home is significantly lower compared to public charging stations. If you drive around 1,500 km per month, you can expect to pay between ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 for home charging.

Home chargers come in two main types: wall-mounted and portable. Wall-mounted chargers are more permanent and can cost between ₹20,000 and ₹50,000, while portable chargers are cheaper (₹6,000-20,000) and offer more flexibility.

For AC public charging stations rates typically range between ₹10 and ₹15 per kWh. If you have a vehicle with a 40 kWh battery, a full charge will cost between ₹400 and ₹600, making AC charging a cost-effective option for those who don't mind slower charging times.

DC Fast Charging (Level 3)

DC fast chargers are designed for rapid charging. These stations are commonly found along highways and in high-traffic areas where EV owners need to quickly recharge during long journeys. DC chargers are significantly faster than AC chargers and can charge an EV up to 80% in under an hour, making them ideal for long-distance travel.

DC fast chargers offer rapid charging at a higher cost. The rate for DC charging is typically between ₹17 and ₹25 per kWh, making it more expensive than AC charging. For charging a 40 kWh battery, the cost would range between ₹600 and ₹1,000.

Battery Swapping Stations

Battery swapping stations are a growing trend, particularly for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Instead of waiting for a battery to charge, users can swap their depleted battery for a fully charged one in a matter of minutes. This option significantly reduces downtime and provides a faster alternative to traditional charging methods. Battery swapping stations are commonly located in areas with high foot traffic, such as metro stations and busy commercial zones, where two-wheelers and three-wheelers are commonly used for short-distance commuting.

As of February 13, 2024, India has established 12,146 operational public charging stations (PCS).

Maharashtra and Delhi led the count by 3,079 and 1,886 stations, respectively. This represents a remarkable growth of around 640% in the past two years, reflecting a rapidly expanding market. The surge in EV charging facilities can be attributed to heightened government support and an increase in EV adoption among consumers.

Government Initiatives

FAME India

FAME stands for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India. The policy aims to encourage people to use electric vehicles in the country. The scheme is a government subsidy program part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP). It started in 2015 and has two parts: FAME India Phase I and Phase II.

1. Phase I

In this phase of the scheme, the focus was on four main areas: (i) Generating demand, (ii) Advancing technology, (iii) Piloting projects, and (iv) Developing charging infrastructure.

In Phase I, ~ US$ 65.3 million (Rs. 529 crore) was allocated for a period spanning four years, from 2015 to 2019. This allocation facilitated support for around 2.78 lakhs of Electric and hybrid vehicles, totalling incentives of US$ 42.3 million (Rs. 343 crores). Also, 520 charging infrastructures and 465 buses received approval for funding across different cities and states as part of this initiative.

2. Phase II

It was started in April 2019 with a total budget of US$ 1.43 billion (Rs. 10,000 crore).

This phase focuses mainly on making public and shared transportation electric. It provided incentives totalling US$ 234 million (Rs. 1,869 crores) to support 470,000 electric vehicles. Additionally, it approved 6,315 e-buses for use in over 65 cities and sanctioned 2,877 charging stations. Over 100 electric vehicle models were also approved during this period.

As part of the FAME-II scheme, financial assistance, such as subsidies, was provided for establishing public charging infrastructure. This initiative aims to build trust and confidence among electric vehicle users.

3. Phase III

This is yet to come, as per Mint, FAME III is expected to involve an allocation of ₹2,000 crore for the development of electric mobility infrastructure such as charging networks across the country.

Battery Swapping Policy

The government introduced a battery-swapping policy to reduce lengthy charging durations and enhance EV efficiency by swapping drained batteries with fully charged ones. The initial draft for this policy came in February 2023.

The policy addressed the standardization of battery sizes and other specifications, particularly for two- and three-wheelers. Furthermore, the preliminary policy encompassed matters concerning battery safety protocols, individual identification codes for each battery, recycling, and refurbishment processes, and the potential implementation of a subsidy scheme.