EV charging infrastructure in India is evolving rapidly and it is getting better every day. More and more companies are setting up their EV charging stations all across India. This is a very impressive step towards the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in India. Today in this article we will discuss about the progress of EV charging infrastructure in India till 2024.
What is Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure?
EV charging infrastructure is a network of physical facilities and types of equipment that allow electric vehicles to recharge their batteries on places like highways, public areas like parking lots, workplaces, etc. The electric vehicle charging infrastructure is very important for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles because vehicle owner can recharge the battery of their electric vehicle on places like highways, parking lots, shopping centers, workplaces, etc. The development of a robust and widespread charging infrastructure in India is crucial for the overall transformation to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system. An EV charging infrastructure includes components like
- Charging Stations
- Charging Connectors
- Charging Cables
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)
- Network Infrastructure
- Payment Systems
- Installation and Maintenance Services
Current Scenario of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in India
In recent years, EV charging infrastructure in India has emerged at a rapid pace. Now multiple types of vehicle charging stations with facilities like fast charging, ultra-fast charging, etc have been developed in various parts of India. In all these years a considerable amount of electric vehicle charging stations have been set up in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, etc. The network of EV charging stations is also expanding to other urban tier 2 tier 3 cities. Both government-funded and private companies are building and shaping electric vehicle charging infrastructure in India.
Importance of Electric Vehicle Adoption in India
The adoption of electric vehicles will help to fight against the emerging problem of air, land, and water pollution in India. India has seen a drastic evolution of air pollution in metro cities of India. The air quality index is getting higher day by day which is a very serious issue for health. Adoption of electric vehicles for our transportation needs will help to eradicate issues like
- Reducing Air Pollution– EVs produce zero emissions thus contributing to better air quality in urban cities or areas where the influx of traffic is very high. Clean air is very important for combating health issues, especially respiratory diseases.
- Reducing Dependency on Fossil Fuels– The use of electric vehicles for transportation will help to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels.
- Lowering Greenhouse Gas Emission– Electric vehicles are more energy-efficient and produce zero emissions. The widespread adoption of EVs will help to lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE).
Long-Term Benefits of EV Charging Infrastructure in India
Setting up electric vehicle charging infrastructure will shape the future of electric vehicles in India. EV charging infrastructure will create thousands of jobs all across India. The long-term benefits of EV charging infrastructure are as follows
- Convenience– A strong electric vehicle charging infrastructure allows EV owners to charge their vehicles easily in areas like highways, shopping malls, car parking, etc. This charging infrastructure will help to make electric vehicles a practical option for daily commuting or long trips.
- Cost Savings– Electric vehicles are cheaper to operate and maintain, and with the introduction of robust charging infrastructure, more and more people will adopt electric vehicles.
- Job Creation– Building and maintaining EV charging infrastructure will help to create job opportunities in areas like construction, operations, and maintenance.
- Technological Advancements– More adoption and investment in the electric vehicle sector will encourage more technological innovation in the electric vehicle, battery, and component sectors. This will lead to more efficient and advanced charging solutions and electric vehicle technologies.
- Economic Growth– A successful transformation to electric vehicle transportation will fasten the growth of new industries thus helping in boosting the Indian economy.
- Energy Security– We know that India depends on foreign nations for its fuel requirements. Billions of Indian rupees are going out of our country to import fuel. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles will help to achieve greater energy independence by using domestically produced electricity.
- Environmental Benefits– A shift to EVs can significantly reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to better public health and a cleaner environment.
- Improved Energy Efficiency– EVs are more energy-efficient as compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. The use of electric vehicles will help to reduce energy consumption, leading to energy savings in the long term.
Indian Government Initiatives for Better EV Charging Infrastructure
The Indian government is taking initiatives to promote the use of electric vehicles and the development of a better EV charging infrastructure in the country. Various types of incentives are designed by the Indian government to encourage people to adopt EVs. Here we are discussing the key steps and initiatives taken by the Indian government to set up world-class electric vehicle charging infrastructures.
- FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) Scheme– The Government of India has launched the FAME scheme to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in India. Under this FAME Scheme, subsidies and incentives are provided to EV manufacturers, charging infrastructure developers, and EV buyers.
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP)- This plan includes policies and incentives to encourage EV adoption. The objective of this plan is to promote the adoption of electric mobility and support the development of EV charging infrastructure.
- Charging Infrastructure Fund– The government has allocated funds to support the installation of EV charging stations in public places and along highways.
- Green Number Plates– The government introduced green number plates for electric vehicles, making it easier for EV owners to avail of various benefits like preferential parking, access to dedicated lanes, and exemptions from toll charges.
- Concessions and Exemptions– Many Indian states offer exemptions from road tax and registration fees for electric vehicles, making them more affordable for consumers. These incentives are designed to encourage people to make the switch to EVs.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in India- Progress Till 2024
The government of India is taking initiatives to promote the use of electric vehicles and setting up EV charging infrastructure all across India. Here we are sharing key points of progress in the field of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in India.
- The Indian Government has allocated a total fund of INR 1000 Crore under the FAME II scheme.
- Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) has sanctioned 2,636 EV charging stations, in 62 cities across 24 States and union territories
- Under Phase II of the FAME India Scheme demand incentive has been increased to Rs. 15,000/KWh from Rs. 10,000/KWh with an increase in cap from 20% to 40% of the total cost of electric vehicles.
- 1,544 EV charging stations will be set up on highways under the FAME II Scheme
- 6315 e-buses to 65 cities sanctioned for intracity and intercity operations across the 26 states and union territories.
- 4.7 lakhs of Electric Vehicles are provided with incentives under the FAME India scheme.
- GST (Goods and Service Tax) on electric vehicles is reduced from 12% to 5%
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure is very important for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in India. EV charging infrastructure will help to shape the future of electric vehicles in India. It also supports the growth of the electric vehicle market in India thus contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
