We need 2000000 charging stations by 2030

India’s electric vehicle industry is rapidly growing, supported by favourable government policies and increased consumer awareness. Infrastructure development, particularly charging stations, is a key component of the ecosystem, with a significant number of stations expected to be installed nationwide. Given India’s alarming pollution levels, the shift towards electric vehicles is in the best interest of consumers and the country. The government and stakeholders in the EV industry are committed to achieving the goal of 100 percent electric mobility by 2030.
Indian industries are evolving with electric vehicles and innovation in EV infrastructure.
With the Indian government’s goal of achieving 100 percent electric mobility, the electric vehicle industry in India is rapidly expanding. This has led to new manufacturing hubs and a greater push to improve charging infrastructure. According to Shailendra Shukla, Managing Director of Vehicle Group, even established original equipment (OE) players have laid down their EV strategies and invested significantly in manufacturing, research, and development. Eaton, India, India has abundant renewable energy resources, and a skilled workforce in the technology and manufacturing sectors is readily available. “The government’s schemes and policies are further accelerating the adoption, while consumers are becoming more aware of the total cost of ownership of electric vehicles”, he adds.
The Indian government is promoting installing EV charging points in residential complexes, shopping malls, public parking spaces, and other public areas to improve accessibility and convenience for EV owners. These efforts are expected to increase EV adoption in India, and infrastructure development is a key ecosystem component. Eaton is also shifting its focus towards e-mobility, keeping up with the shift in demand. Globally, the company is driving adoption and evolving EV technology at the electrical and mechanical power convergence.
According to a report by the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association, Indus Law, and EY, India will need 100,000 charging stations by 2027 to support approximately 1.4 million EVs expected to be on the road. Another study suggests that the country will require 20 lakh charging stations by 2030 to accommodate five crore EVs. Amit Gupta, Business Head of Energy Infrastructure Solutions at Delta Electronics India, notes that charging stations will serve both fixed and swappable battery platforms, with AC-based slow charging options prevalent in residential areas and DC-based fast charging options gaining popularity in commercial and public charging applications.
Awadhesh Kumar Jha, Executive Director at Fortum Charge & Drive India, advocates for electric vehicles (EVs) in India due to the country’s unfortunate distinction of having 63 cities among the world’s 100 most polluted places, with North India being the worst. Jha highlighted the government’s support for EV adoption through various policies, such as FAME-I & II schemes, lower GST on EVs, income tax exemptions, and separate consumer tariff categories for charging stations. By 2030, India aims to transition 70 percent of commercial vehicles, 30 percent of private cars, 40 percent of buses, and 80 percent of two- and three-wheelers to EVs.
Battery swapping policy; a game changer in India’s EV infra business
According to Shukla, the battery swap policy for EVs offers various benefits, such as faster charging, improved convenience, reduced range anxiety, cost savings, and environmental benefits. It enables three-wheeler drivers to reduce their downtime by avoiding 3-4 hours of charging time, allowing them to drive longer distances and increase their earning potential. Moreover, this system provides an easy solution in dense residential clusters, where setting up a charging infrastructure is challenging.
Gupta suggests that a battery swapping system could address cost, range, and resource management concerns in India’s two- and three-wheeler EV market, which constitutes a significant portion of the market. The policy aims to electrify fleets in the e-commerce delivery and three-wheeler transportation sectors, where fast-charging stations need to be increased. The government aims to electrify 70 percent of commercial vehicles and achieve 30 percent market penetration in private cars by 2030.
Investments and innovations are addressing EV infrastructure demands.
Meeting the infrastructure needs for charging stations as EV demand and supply growth require support on various fronts, including government policies to encourage the development of EV charging infrastructure. Shukla believes financial incentives like tax credits will help support private investment in charging stations. A successful collaboration between public and private entities can further accelerate investment and innovation in EV charging infrastructure.
Introducing government schemes like FAME-I and FAME-II has created a significant buzz in the industry and laid a strong foundation for growth. With governments investing in this segment and more companies bringing in their range of solutions, this market is positioned to grow in the future. However, Gupta notes that businesses have already built their charging infrastructure to meet rising demand. The 2030 target appears achievable, given that various initiatives are underway to build 5 lakh charging stations.
Jha highlights the concern of “Range Anxiety” among car buyers due to the low accessibility of public charging stations. He notes that India requires a strong network of public charging stations to cater to mass-market demand, given that 60-70 percent of cars do not have dedicated parking. According to Jha, expanding the charging infrastructure will help alleviate consumer concerns and assure them of getting their vehicles charged at their preferred locations and times.
Expansion of domestic and indigenous manufacturing for EV infra and technology
The EV market at present is facing several challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is the limited production of minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel in India, leading to a dependency on imports and higher production costs. Here, Shukla emphasised the importance of localising battery production and sourcing raw materials locally to reduce imports and make EVs more affordable for consumers.
Gupta elaborates on the need for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to realign their global supply chain and partner with global leaders to improve domestic manufacturing capabilities. Gupta suggested tie-ups with world leaders under the Make in India scheme to improve cost competitiveness, quality, and reliability of batteries, which are the heart of any EV.
Awadhesh Kumar Jha, Executive Director of Fortum Charge & Drive India, identified the limited choices and models of EVs available in the market as another significant challenge. However, Jha also highlighted that nearly 20 car models ranging from Rs 8.5 lakh to more than Rs 1 crore are already available in India. More OEMs are set to introduce their models on the electric platform. Jha predicted that with more affordable electric cars in the market, EVs would revolutionise city transport in India and eventually become mainstream for highway transport.
In conclusion, the industry has identified localisation, domestic manufacturing, and increasing the variety of EV models as essential factors for promoting self-reliance, cost savings, job creation, and environmental sustainability in India’s EV sector. The stakeholders emphasised the importance of domestic R&D, partnerships with global leaders, and taking advantage of government incentives to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities and achieve economic feasibility and operational excellence in the EV sector.