As per a recent report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India must install more than 400,000 EV chargers annually to meet the projected demand, totalling around 1.32 million chargers by 2030.
The report, produced in collaboration with Edelman and titled “Roadmap for Future Mobility 2030,” highlights the crucial role of charging infrastructure in keeping up with the rapid growth of electric vehicles in India.
Government initiatives have resulted in increased consumer acceptance of electric vehicles, with a threefold increase in EV adoption in 2022 compared to the previous year. If the current annual growth rate of 40% persists, the report forecasts that by 2030, there will be approximately 106 million electric vehicles (EVs) sold each year. To accommodate this surge, the report recommends maintaining a 1:40 charging infrastructure to EV ratio, necessitating the installation of over 400,000 chargers annually and a total of 1.32 million chargers by 2030.
Mr Vipin Sondhi, Chairperson of CII National Committee on Future Mobility 2022-23 and Former MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland and JCB, stated, “The Indian government has initiated a rapid adoption plan for electric vehicles (EVs), targeting a significant market share of 30% for private cars, 70% for commercial vehicles, and 80% for two and three-wheelers by 2030. To support this ambitious goal, the focus lies on building a robust charging infrastructure. This presents a unique opportunity for India to become a worldwide manufacturing hub for charging stations, fostering job opportunities and promoting exports.”
The report outlines several recommendations to achieve this objective. It proposes a streamlined approval process for public charging infrastructure, including a single-window mechanism and rationalization of demand charges based on actual usage to support charging point operators (CPOs).
Additionally, the report advocates for the integration of charging networks into both new and existing town planning. To ensure broader reach, it suggests establishing a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for deploying charging infrastructure networks in Tier 2, Tier 3 towns, and rural areas. Incentives under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat program could promote domestic production of EV charging station components, reducing import reliance and positioning India as a global supply hub for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
The report further encourages the use of 100% renewable energy sources for charging stations, recommending a combined approach of open access, distributed renewable energy (DRE) through commercial and industrial sectors, and net metering with local as well as grid storage systems.
