The government has recently released “Revised Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations” to enhance the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and expand the charging infrastructure across India.
Key Highlights of the Guidelines
Objectives
- Promote EV Adoption: Ensure charging stations are safe, reliable, and accessible.
- Develop Charging Network: Focus on creating a robust national charging network, prioritizing key locations.
Scope of the Guidelines
- Locations Covered:
- Privately-owned parking spaces
- Semi-restricted areas (e.g., office buildings, educational institutions, hospitals, housing societies)
- Public spaces (e.g., commercial complexes, railway stations, petrol pumps, airports, metro stations, shopping malls, municipal parking lots, highways, and expressways)
Revenue-Sharing Model
- Collaboration Between Government and Private Players:
- Introduction of a new revenue-sharing model to enhance the financial viability of public charging stations.
- Land provided by government or public entities at subsidized rates to private operators.
- Revenue share for land-owning agencies calculated based on electricity consumed at the charging station over a 10-year period.
Electricity Tariffs:
- Charging station electricity costs will not exceed the ‘Average Cost of Supply’ until March 31, 2028.
- Tariffs will be lower during solar hours (9 AM to 4 PM) to encourage renewable energy usage.
Minimum Density Requirements
- Public Charging Stations:
- By 2030, at least one charging station should be available within a 1 km x 1 km grid in urban areas.
- Charging stations along highways to be placed every 20 km for regular EVs and every 100 km for long-range vehicles.
Standardized Protocols:
- Mandatory use of open communication protocols (e.g., Open Charge Point Protocol – OCPP) for real-time monitoring, booking, and payment.
National Database:
- Establishment of data-sharing protocols to maintain a national database of public charging stations.
- Users can easily locate charging points through mobile apps or online platforms.
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Frequently Asked Question:
What is the main goal of the Revised Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations?
The guidelines aim to promote EV adoption by ensuring safe, reliable, and accessible charging infrastructure across India.
Which locations are prioritized for EV charging stations under the guidelines?
Charging stations are prioritized in private, semi-restricted, and public areas such as malls, airports, highways, and housing societies.
What is the revenue-sharing model introduced in the guidelines?
The model involves collaboration between government and private operators, with land provided at subsidized rates and revenue shared based on electricity usage.
What are the electricity tariff policies for EV charging stations?
Charging costs will not exceed the average cost of supply until 2028, with lower tariffs during solar hours to encourage renewable energy use.
What is the minimum density requirement for public EV charging stations by 2030?
Urban areas should have at least one charging station per 1 km², and highways should have stations every 20 km for regular EVs.