The Indian government has rolled out numerous benefits to propel EV adoption in the country. Expanding the EV charging infrastructure will help India to become the next EV hub of the world. As per GOI, at least one charging station needs to be set up at every 25km interval on both sides of the road.
Why set up EV charging stations?
Like petrol/diesel vehicles, battery-operated cars also need a charge to run. The point that is worrying customers is the range of these vehicles. Long-range drivers face huge doubts while traveling more than 400 km. This issue is similar for the urban rider who might forget to charge at home and may need emergency energy for traveling.
Having massive batteries is another option, but is not viable for passenger cars due to size and weight limitations. Good charging infrastructure is therefore the need of the hour. Investors, startups, and individuals have a unique opportunity to enter the EV charging space and make a name for themselves.
What are the types of EV chargers available in India?
Level 1 – Slow chargers (Portable)
- These chargers work on 120V and can be easily used at home where you have a single-phase AC connection.
- The max output that can be expected from these chargers is around 3.5 KW which is suitable for Electric scooters but not electric cars.
- An electric car with a high range can take up to 30 hrs to fully charge using a Level 1 charger.
Level 2 – Standard chargers (Type 2 AC or DC Charger)
- Here you can use both DC and AC chargers (3 phase connection required).
- The AC charger comes with a max capacity of 22 KW while the DC charger has a range from 20 KW to 150 KW.
- They are perfect for commercial and residential buildings and can charge an electric car within 4-5 hours.
Level 3 – Fast Chargers (Rapid DC Chargers)
- DC rapid chargers require high-powered equipment (including transformers) and use a 480 V connection.
- These rapid chargers have a max capacity of up to 500 KW and can charge an electric car in 20 minutes. CCS and CHAdeMO are types of fast chargers.
- These are not suitable for homes but are perfect for PCS (Public Charging Stations)
What are the Government of India’s guidelines for setting up EV charging stations in India?
- The GOI has made it mandatory to set up EV charging stations on either side of the road every 25 km on the highway and 3 km in city limits
- Also, following the guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Power, it is a license-free activity.
What are the Infrastructural requirements needed to set up EV charging stations?
These requirements are laid down by the Ministry of Power, India, and are specifically for Public Charging Stations (PCS)
- Land space along highways (preferably) for charging, entry, and exit of vehicles
- Civil works and installations
- Charging infrastructure approved by the international/local standards.
- Installation of a transformer, safety equipment, substation proximity, and 33/11 KV DC cables
What is the cost of opening a Public Charging Station (PCS) in India in 2021?
The cost of setting up EV charging stations can be in the range of Rs. 30 Lakhs to Rs. 40 Lakhs based on the charger type and include 2 types of major costs:
- Infrastructural Costs
- Charger Costs
- Infrastructure Costs
The infrastructural costs consist of equipment, facilities, and land required for the electric charging station. The cost break-up for the same is given below:
| Infrastructure Requirement | Cost |
| Land Lease at INR 50,000 per month | Rs. 6,00,000 |
| Electricity connection, transformers, and energy meters | Rs. 7,50,000 |
| Civil Works | Rs. 2,50,000 |
| Maintenance and Technical team | Rs. 3,00,000 / yr |
| Brand promotion and Marketing | Rs. 1,00,000 |
| Total | Rs. 20,00,000 |
*Note: The above-mentioned figures are estimated. Actual cost may differ according to place and time.
2. Charger Costs
As per guidelines laid down by the Ministry of Power GOI, public charging stations (PCS) should have at least 3 fast (DC) chargers and 2 slow (AC ) chargers
| Charger Type | Output Power | Cost of Charger (2021) |
| Bharat AC – 001 | 3.3 KW | Rs. 65,000 |
| Type 2 AC | 22 KW | Rs. 1,20,000 |
| Bharat DC – 001 | 15 KW | Rs. 2,47,000 |
| CHAdeMO | 50 KW | Rs. 13,50,000 |
| CCS | 50 KW | Rs. 14,00,000 |
What is the cost of setting up an electric charging station at home in India?
Electric vehicle chargers for home use start from Rs.15,000 and go all the way up to Rs. 2,00,000 depending on the level of charger, AC phase connection (Single phase or three phases).
A single-phase (AC) 15 A plug can give an output power of up to 2.5 KWh.
Please find below the cost to charge an EV at home.
| Vehicle | Battery pack | Price |
| Electric scooter | 2kWh | 5 |
| Three-wheeler | 4.5kWh | 11.25 |
| Electric car | 25kWh | 62.5 |
EV Charging Station providers in India
- TATA Power
- Amar Raja
- Magenta Power
- Volttic
- Mass-Tech
- Exicom
- Fortum India
- ABB India
- Delta Electronics
- Charzer
Conclusion
Looking at the upcoming demand for Electric vehicles in India and the Government of India’s vision of 30 % EV sales by 2030, there will be a huge demand for EV charging infrastructure.
Even though the Public charging Stations demand huge investments, the earnings will certainly boom in the coming years.
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