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Battery Swap Photograph: (Shutterstock)
India’s e-mobility segment is rapidly growing, driven by increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the expansion of charging infrastructure. The government is working to meet the target of 30% EV penetration by 2030, ensuring a widespread network of reliable charging stations.
India's EV growth accelerates, expanding infrastructure
TheBureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has updated EV charging infrastructure guidelines to address industry challenges, including connection timelines, tariff structures, and charging station placement.
With a supportive policy framework, EV sales in India have soared. In 2023-24, around 1.67 million EVs were sold, reflecting a nearly 40% growth compared to the previous year. Over the last five years, EV sales have seen a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 50%.
By 2030, EVs are expected to account for 30% of private cars, 70% of commercial vehicles, and 100% of two- and three-wheelers, resulting in 90 million EVs on the road. India will need about 444,000 public charging stations.
As of February 2024, India has about 12,146 public charging stations, with Maharashtra, Delhi, and Karnataka having the highest numbers. The network includes slow and fast chargers, with slow chargers making up 85%. Most stations use plug-in conductive technology, but battery swapping is gaining traction in the two- and three-wheeler segments, providing a quicker and more efficient alternative.
Indian states with most EV infrastructure
| State | Number of Public Charging Stations (PCS) | EV Sales Growth (%) | Key Players | EV Adoption Target by 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 3,079 | 40% growth in 2023-24 | Tata Power, Reliance, Ather Energy | High for private and commercial EVs |
| Delhi | 1,886 | Significant increase | Tata Power, EESL, BPCL | 18,000 public & semi-public chargers |
| Karnataka | 1,041 | Rapid adoption | SUN Mobility, Bounce Infinity, Ather Energy | 100 battery swapping stations |
| Tamil Nadu | 890 | Steady growth | BPCL, Tata Power, Chargeup | Focus on commercial vehicles |
| Uttar Pradesh | 700 | Growing at a fast pace | EESL, UP Power Corporation | Expand charging infrastructure |
| Gujarat | 689 | High growth | Adani Electricity, EESL, Ather Energy | EV infrastructure on highways |
| Telangana | 600 | Steady growth | RACEnergy, Battery Smart | Increase number of charging stations |
| Rajasthan | 512 | Emerging market | Fortum India, Tata Power | EV growth in metro areas |
| Andhra Pradesh | 475 | Moderate growth | NREDCAP, Tata Power | Focus on two-wheeler EVs |
| West Bengal | 390 | Rising adoption | Sundaram Clayton, Tata Power | Urban areas and commercial fleets |
About 59% of charging stations are installed by private charge point operators (CPOs), the rest by public CPOs. Oil marketing companies (OMCs) plan to install 22,000 EV charging stations by December 2024. The Ministry of Heavy Industries approved funding for fast charging stations under the FAME II initiative, with several states and union territories setting up their own networks.
Private companies like Ather Energy, Statiq, and Tata Power are contributing to the growing charging network. Ather Energy aims to install 2,500 stations by the end of 2023, Statiq plans to set up 20,000, and Tata Power will install 25,000 charging points across the country.
EV infrastructure grows, fast-charging stations
As EV numbers rise, a robust charging infrastructure network is essential. The government’s new guidelines on charging infrastructure, including connection timelines, tariffs, and placement, aim to address EV network expansion challenges.
Metropolitan areas will have a charging station every 1 km², while highway stations will be about 20 km apart. The guidelines suggest specialised fast-charging stations every 100 km for long-range vehicles like buses and trucks.
Alongsideimproving the conventional charging network, battery swapping stations are gaining attention. Battery swapping allows EV users to exchange a depleted battery for a fully charged one, making it faster and more convenient than traditional charging. This benefits commercial vehicles like taxis, delivery services, and buses that require quick turnarounds. Battery swapping stations are also more compact, suitable for space-constrained urban areas. Furthermore, it can lower the upfront costs of EVs, as users don’t need to purchase expensive batteries.
Encouraging financial institutions to offer special loans or financing products can address the capital requirements for infrastructure. Integratingrenewable energy into EV charging stations and adopting vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies can provide a more sustainable solution, benefiting both EV owners and the grid.
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