The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) in India marks a significant milestone with the operation of 12,146 public EV charging stations across the country. This achievement is a testament to the consistent efforts of MHI in promoting electric vehicles (EVs). The FAME-II scheme played a pivotal role by providing financial support through subsidies for establishing public charging infrastructure, instilling confidence among EV users.
The Ministry of Power has been actively involved in advancing the deployment of public EV charging infrastructure. Several initiatives have been implemented, including the issuance of guidelines and standards for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in January 2022, with subsequent amendments in November 2022 and April 2023. These guidelines encompass various aspects such as enabling EV owners to charge their vehicles at home or offices, prescribing revenue-sharing models for land provision, ensuring timely electricity connections to public charging stations (PCS), and setting tariff limits for both slow AC charging and DC fast charging.
The Green Energy Open Access Rules,2022 have been notified to further accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, aiming to provide affordable, reliable, sustainable, and green energy for all. Additionally, the “GO ELECTRIC” Campaign, launched by the Ministry of Power in February 2021, focuses on creating awareness about the benefits of electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, and electric cooking in India.
As of February 2, 2024, a total of 12,146 public EV charging stations are operational across the country. The state-wise distribution reveals varying numbers, with Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra leading the way. The information, annexed in detail, showcases the commitment to EV infrastructure development on a regional level.
The Ministry of Power emphasizes that the charging infrastructure requirement is dynamic and depends on factors such as the composition of electric vehicles, running patterns, terrain, geography, urbanization patterns, and the technology of EVs and charging equipment. With no global consensus on the exact number of charging points needed for a certain number of EVs, the requirement is estimated to range from 1 Charging Point per 20 EVs to 1 Charging Point per 150 EVs.
This accomplishment underlines India’s commitment to fostering sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions through the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and the establishment of a robust charging infrastructure network.
