
India’s EV charging infrastructure is quickly improving driven by government initiatives and private sector participation. The increase in charging stations across the nation reflects the growing interest in EVs and the need for corresponding infrastructure.
Although India’s EV charging infrastructure is still developing, significant progress has been made through government support, private investment, and technological advancements, promising a cleaner, greener transportation future.
- Growth in Charging Stations: Investments from public and private sectors have led to an increase in EV charging stations across India, particularly in major cities. Efforts are underway to expand to smaller towns and rural areas.
- Types of Charging Stations: Indian charging stations offer AC chargers for slow charging in homes and public places, and DC and fast chargers for quick charging at strategic locations.
- Companies Involved: Government agencies, utilities, energy companies, EV manufacturers, start-ups, and infrastructure developers, including Tata Power, ABB, EVRE, and Charge Point, are contributing to India’s EV charging infrastructure.
- Collaborative Efforts: Public-private partnerships and collaborations between EV manufacturers and infrastructure providers are accelerating the deployment of charging infrastructure.

Source: www.india-briefing.com/news
Government Initiatives
- FAME India Scheme: This is a government initiative that encourages the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles. It provides incentives to both manufacturers and buyers, and aids in the development of charging infrastructure.
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP): The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 is a document that provides a vision and roadmap for the faster adoption of electric vehicles, and their manufacturing in India. The plan was published in 2012 by the Department of Heavy Industry, and aims to promote hybrid and electric vehicles. The plan sets a target to achieve 6 – 7 million sales of hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards by providing fiscal incentive.
- Green Urban Transport Scheme (GUTS): GUTS aims to combat urban air pollution by promoting environmentally-friendly transport systems, such as electric buses, and supporting the development of related charging infrastructure.

Source: linkedin.com/pulse/future-indian-ev-chargingstation-market-report-aritra-ghosh/

Source: www.india-briefing.com/news
Notable Projects
- Delta Electronics India: As a leading provider of power and thermal management solutions, in terms of manufacturing locations, one factory in Rudrapur and now six plants in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu. Globally committed $500 million capital investment for India and are going to use 100% renewable energy in Indian factories by 2030. Currently Delta factories use 20% renewable energy and the target is to hit 35% by 2025.
- Servotech Power Systems: Servotech designs and manufactures a wide array of EV chargers. Servotech has completed numerous EV charging projects across India, establishing charging stations at strategic locations.
- Quench Chargers: Quench has carried out pilot projects to showcase its smart EV charging solutions in different settings, thereby aiding in the development of EV charging infrastructure in India.
Technological Advancements
Technological progress in EV charging has improved efficiency and accessibility. Key innovations include:
- AC Chargers: Commonly used for slow to moderate charging, these chargers convert AC electricity to DC power required by the vehicle’s battery.
- DC Fast Chargers: High-power chargers that significantly reduce charging time, ideal for long-distance travel.
- Power Output Ranges: A variety of power output options cater to different charging needs, from lower-power chargers for overnight use to high-power DC fast chargers for long-distance travel.
- Smart Charging Solutions: These leverage advanced tech to optimize charging efficiency and user experience, integrating remote monitoring, load management, and renewable energy sources.
- Bi-directional Charging: It allows electric vehicles to draw energy from the grid and feeds surplus energy back, enhancing grid flexibility and potential cost savings.
Ongoing R&D aims to further enhance charging speed, interoperability, and grid integration, accelerating the transition to electric transportation.
Challenges and Solutions
The EV charging industry faces key challenges to facilitate widespread EV adoption and infrastructure development:
- Standardization: The lack of standard protocols and connectors creates compatibility issues and market entry barriers.
- Solution: Adoption of common standards by organizations like IEC and SAE ensures interoperability and seamless user experience. Collaboration between governments and industry stakeholders is crucial.
- Grid Stability: Integrating numerous EVs can disrupt grid stability, causing voltage fluctuations and increased infrastructure costs.
- Solution: Smart grid technologies and demand-side management strategies can mitigate these issues. Deploying energy storage systems and renewable generation enhances grid reliability.
- Last-Mile Connectivity: Adequate charging infrastructure in residential and rural areas is a significant challenge, deterring potential EV adopters.
- Solution: A multi-pronged approach involves deploying public, private, and community-based charging solutions tailored to regional needs. Public-private partnerships, incentives for underserved areas, and innovative business models can expand charging infrastructure access.
Through collaborative efforts, innovative technologies, and supportive policies, the EV charging industry can overcome growth barriers and accelerate the transition to sustainable electric transportation systems.
Consumer Adoption
Factors like affordability, range anxiety, charging infrastructure, environmental issues, and government incentives shape consumer behaviour towards Electric Vehicles (EVs). Charging infrastructure is particularly crucial.
- Charging Accessibility: Consumers want conveniently located, easily accessible charging stations with fast-charging capabilities. Availability at residential areas, workplaces, shopping centres, and major highways reassures potential buyers.
- Perception of Cost and Savings: Though EVs may cost more upfront, lower operating and maintenance costs, government incentives, and affordable charging infrastructure can make them financially attractive.
- Environmental Awareness: EVs are viewed as environmentally friendly options due to zero tailpipe emissions. A robust charging infrastructure highlights their environmental benefits.
- Government Support and Policies: Government incentives, policies, and regulations encourage EV adoption. Initiatives to expand charging infrastructure boost consumer confidence in EVs.
Case Studies
- Servotech Power Systems & Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL): Servotech Power Systems and BPCL partnered to deploy EV charging stations nationwide at select BPCL fuel stations. The stations, equipped with AC and DC fast chargers, aim to promote electric mobility and accelerate EV adoption in India. The partnership exemplifies the effectiveness of public-private collaborations in expanding charging infrastructure for sustainable transportation.
- Tata Power’s EV Charging Stations in Mumbai: Tata Power installed EV charging stations in strategic locations in Mumbai, including residential complexes and commercial hubs. The stations, featuring advanced features like remote monitoring and payment integration, cater to the growing demand for EV charging services in urban areas, reinforcing Tata Power’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
- Charge point Charging Network in Bangalore: Charge Point expanded its charging network in Bangalore in collaboration with local stakeholders. The network, offering AC and DC fast chargers at key locations like shopping malls and office complexes, supports the city’s sustainable transportation goals and serves as a model for other cities seeking to develop EV charging infrastructure.
Global Comparison
Comparing India’s EV charging infrastructure to global standards involves assessing the scale, coverage, technology, and regulations. Key lessons from international models include:
Scale and Coverage
- Globally, leaders in EV adoption like Norway, the Netherlands, and China have extensive, well-distributed charging infrastructure.
- India’s infrastructure is still developing, primarily focusing on urban areas.
- Lesson: India should prioritize a comprehensive charging network, including cities, highways, and rural areas.
Technology and Charging Speed
- Advanced EV charging technologies for rapid charging are common in the United States, Europe and Japan.
- India’s availability of ultra-fast chargers is limited.
- Lesson: India should adopt advanced EV charging technologies and invest in high-power charging infrastructure.
Regulatory Framework and Incentives
- Many countries have supportive policies to promote EV adoption and incentivize charging infrastructure deployment.
- India has initiatives like the FAME India scheme, with scope for further policy interventions.
- Lesson: India can introduce comprehensive policies and incentives to spur EV charging infrastructure growth.
Public-Private Partnerships
- Successful EV charging infrastructure often involves collaborations between various stakeholders.
- India needs greater collaboration and coordination to effectively scale up infrastructure deployment.
- Lesson: India can leverage international PPP models to accelerate its EV charging network expansion.

Source: www.saurenergy.com/ev-storage
Innovative Solutions
Innovative solutions for EV charging challenges include:
- Battery Swapping Stations: These stations allow EV owners to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones within minutes, eliminating long charging times. Companies like Gogoro and Sun Mobility are leading in this field.
Charging Infrastructure
As of now, India has only 1,742 charging stations to cater to the existing Electric Vehicles (EVs). This number is a clear indication of the nascent stage of charging infrastructure in the country.
Future Projections:
- Increase to 100,000 Units by 2027: The number of charging stations is expected to increase exponentially to 100,000 units by 2027. This growth will be in line with the increasing demand for EVs in the country.
- Accommodate ~1.4 Million EVs on the Roads: The projected 100,000 charging stations will be required to accommodate the expected 1.4 million EVs that will be on the roads by 2027.
Future Outlook
The future of EV charging solutions is promising, driven by technology advancements, infrastructure expansion, and supportive policies. Key trends include:
- High-Power Charging Adoption: As electric vehicles with larger batteries become popular, demand for high-power charging solutions will rise.
- Charging Infrastructure Expansion: Governments and companies are investing in expanding EV charging infrastructure for increased accessibility.
- Smart Charging Technologies Integration: These technologies will optimize charging infrastructure use, manage energy demand, and support grid stability.
- Renewable Energy Integration: Solar and wind power integration into EV charging will enhance sustainability and reduce emission.
- Standardization and Interoperability: Standardizing protocols and interfaces will improve user experience across different charging networks.
- Innovative Business Models: New business models like subscription-based services and ad-supported charging will improve EV charging affordability and accessibility.
In sum, the future of EV charging solutions is marked by innovation, expansion, and sustainability, supporting the widespread use of electric vehicles and a cleaner transportation future.

Source:www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030626192101415X

Source: www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-indian-evcharging-station-market-report-aritra-ghosh/
Smart Charging Solutions
Smart charging optimizes EV charging to increase efficiency and manage energy use. It controls when and how fast EVs charge, often during off-peak hours to reduce grid load and costs. It uses a cloud-based platform to collect data from the charging station and grid, informing the best charging strategy.
There are two types: User-Managed Charging (UMC) where the EV driver charges at off-peak hours, and Supplier-Managed Charging (SMC) that considers real-time energy production and uses advanced approaches like V2G, V2B, and V2H.
Smart charging techniques include load shifting, peak shaving, and dynamic load balancing, aligning the charging load with the grid’s capacity and integrating renewable energy sources.
Benefits of smart charging include reduced grid stress, integration of renewables, cost savings for consumers, and improved sustainability of EV charging.
With increasing EVs, smart charging will be the key in managing electricity demand and grid stability. As technology evolves, more sophisticated solutions are expected, marking a big step towards a more sustainable energy system.
Here are a couple of successful case studies of smart EV charging implementation:
- Oslo, Norway: Comprehensive network, incentives for off-peak charging, integration with renewables, and real-time availability via mobile apps.
- Los Angeles, USA: LA EV initiative features smart chargers optimizing charging times based on demand and pricing, reducing grid load during peak hours.
These cases showcase how smart charging manages energy needs of EV fleets sustainably, emphasizing city planning, policy, and tech innovation.
Conclusion
The future of the EV charging station market in India looks promising. With the right strategies and concerted efforts from all stakeholders, the market can overcome the existing challenges and capitalize on the emerging opportunities.
The development of a robust and efficient EV charging infrastructure can play a crucial role in promoting the adoption of EVs in India and contributing to the country’s sustainability goals. The journey ahead is challenging, but the potential rewards make it a journey worth undertaking.
Ashish Pattnaik is a Student at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Parala Maharaja Engineering College, Berhampur, Odisha, India.
Dr. Sarat Kumar Sahoo is a Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Parala Maharaja Engineering College, Berhampur, Odisha, India.
