What is an EV Charging Station?

An electric vehicle charging station is an equipment that connects an electric vehicle (EV) to a source of electricity to recharge electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Some charging stations have advanced features such as smart metering, cellular capability and network connectivity, while others are more basic. For charging at home or work, some EVs have onboard converters that can plug into a standard electrical outlet or a high-capacity appliance outlet. Others either require or can use a charging station that provides electrical conversion, monitoring, or safety functionality.

Types of EVSE?

The EVSE or charging equipment can be broadly classified as AC charging and DC charging devices.

Types of EV Batteries and Features

EVSE Standards for India

The Ministry of Power has issued the guidelines and standards for India's charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs). Setting up public charging stations will not require a license, as long as it meets the technical and performance standards and the protocols, as laid down by the Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority. In fact, for setting up a public charging station, the power distribution company will provide proper connectivity on priority.

Who Can Own EVSE?

In April 2018, the Ministry of Power issued an order, clarifying that EVSEs buying electricity from DISCOMs and selling to EVs is not considered as resale or trade of electricity. Now anyone can apply for new connections for EVSE and start the business.

Cost Estimates and Revenue Model for a Typical EVSE Setup

Related Developments

• Ather Energy has launched charging stations for electric vehicles in Bengaluru. Called AtherGrid, this new charging infrastructure will cater to all sorts of electric vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
• Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd is planning to invest USD23.61 million in next five years to set up 10,000 EV charging stations across Delhi. Tata Power and Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and have agreed to collaborate in planning, development and operation of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (e-cars, e-rickshaws, e-bikes, e-buses, etc.) across India.
• The Union Government plans to provide USD136.06 million as subsidy for building a nationwide charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) is drafting a cabinet note on the ways and means to set up the infrastructure. The government plans to set up 1,000 charging stations across the country, especially on major highways such as Delhi-Chandigarh, Delhi-Mumbai, and Mumbai-Surat-Pune stretch.
• According to the state government of Andhra Pradesh, the setting up of charging stations will not only serve the purpose of charging electric vehicles, but also will serve as a source of revenue for the state government. The very first electric vehicle charging station will be set up at the Interim Government Complex in Velagapudi.
• The Energy Department of Andhra Pradesh is planning to promote the usage of electric vehicles (EVs) in the state. The department is set to open 50 electric vehicle charging stations in various cities of Andhra Pradesh and has prepared a concrete plan of action. The state government will be introducing 1,000 to 1,5000 EVs in the state soon.
• Essel Infraprojects is planning to invest USD238.11 million in phased manner to set up electric vehicle charging and battery swapping infrastructure. Under the project, EIL will invest USD238.11 million in a phased manner with the launch of 250 charging stations and 1,000 battery swapping stations in 20 cities of Uttar Pradesh.
• ABB’s Indian arm is running pilot projects in EV charging infrastructure with some automakers. This includes an EV charging station at Rohtang (near Manali) and in New Delhi. ABB installed a fast-charging station — ABB Terra 53 — at government think-tank NITI Aayog’s office in Delhi, which can fully charge an EV in 30 minutes.

EVSE Business Models Conclusion

The EVSE charging infrastructure in India is growing, as the number of electric vehicles on the road is increasing day-by-day. Various government initiatives to curb pollution will be a major factor behind the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road, this will further bolster the growth of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure market. Also, as per a recent news article covered by Economic Times, the government is expected to mandate the sale of only electric three-wheelers from April 2023, while all new two-wheelers with engine capacity up to 150cc driving out of showrooms may have to be powered by electricity from April 2025. If this gets passed in the parliament, the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in the country will witness a massive boom, creating huge opportunities for the potential investors.

As per a report published by TechSci Research, India Electric Vehicle Market By Vehicle (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles, Two- and Three-wheelers), By Vehicle Class (Mid-priced & Luxury), By Propulsion (BEV, PHEV & FCEV), By EV Sales (OEMs/Models), By End User (Shared mobility providers, Government organizations, Personal Users, Others), By Company, By Region, Forecast & Opportunities, FY2027 India electric vehicle market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 37%, during FY2022-FY2027. Robust market growth is anticipated on account of rising number of government initiatives such as incentive schemes to encourage adoption of environment-friendly electric vehicles, growing consumer inclination towards electric vehicles, increasing concerns over harmful effects of air pollution, and huge investments by various OEMs for developing more affordable and premium electric vehicles in the coming years.

Also, TechSci Research’s report on “India Electric Three Wheeler Market By Vehicle Type (Passenger Carrier and Load Carrier), By Battery Capacity (<101Ah & >101Ah), Competition Forecast & Opportunities, FY2017 - FY2027”, proclaims that the market for electric three wheelers in India is projected to cross $ 5 billion FY2027. Growth in the market is led by the growing need to curb air pollution levels and the rising incentive schemes by the government to support manufacturing as well as use of electric three wheelers. Moreover, consistently increasing affordability of electric three wheelers is also boosting their adoption across the country. Increasing investments by electric vehicle manufacturers to develop more advanced, efficient and affordable electric three wheelers is likely to fuel growth in India electric three wheeler market in the coming years.

Impact of COVID-19 on India Electric Vehicle Market

Although a prospective growth is anticipated in the future five years, the India electric vehicle market isn’t unaffected of the pandemic that set in the country in March 2020. With the country under lockdown along with business and manufacturing units shut down the market suffered a setback in the last two financial years. The effect of COVID-19 is anticipated to stay in the market in the near future years too.