India currently has 887 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, spread all over the country, according to information recently tabled in Parliament.
Central public sector units under the ministry of power have together set up a little over 200 public charging stations (PCS), it is learnt. Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) has set up the highest number of PCS, at 97. NTPC has installed 90 PCS all over the country, while Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) has 13 PCS to its credit. Together these power ministry PSUs have put up 210 PCS.
In addition, various Central public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) have installed 120 charging stations and 22 battery swapping stations across the country, it was informed.
A total of 887 charging stations have been installed by various entities across India, it was informed in Parliament.
Various government (both Central and state) as well private entities are engaged in the setting up of EV charging stations, it may be noted.
FAME
Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) is administering Faster Adoption & Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme for promoting adoption of electric/hybrid vehicles in India since April 1, 2015.
Phase-I of the Scheme was available up to March 31, 2019. Phase-II of FAME India Scheme is being implemented for a period of 3 years effective April 1, 2019. This phase mainly focuses on supporting electrification of public and shared transportation and aims to support, through demand incentive, approx. 7000 e-buses, 5 lakh electric 3-wheelers, 55,000 e-passenger cars (4-wheelers) and 10 lakh e-two-wheelers.
In addition, creation of charging infrastructure is also supported to address range anxiety among users of electric vehicles. An amount of Rs.1,000 crore has been allocated for establishment of charging infrastructure under FAME-II.
Under Fame-I, DHI had sanctioned about 500 charging stations, with an outlay of Rs.43 crore, in cities like Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Jaipur and National Capital Region of Delhi. Under Fame-II, DHI has also sanctioned 2,636 EV charging stations in 62 cities across 24 states and Union Territories.
Guidelines for Charging Infrastructure
As per “Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles – Guidelines and Standards” issued on October 1, 2019, rollout of EV public charging infrastructure has been planned in two phases, as follows:
- Phase I (1-3 years): All mega cities with a population of 4 million plus (as per census 2011), all existing expressways connected to these mega cities, and important highways connecting with each of these mega cities. (These cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Surat and Pune.)
- Phase II (3-5 uears): Big cities like state capitals, UT headquarters are also planned to be covered for distributed and demonstrative effect. Further, important highways connected with each such big city are planned to be taken up for coverage.
Featured photograph shows an EV charging station by EESL in South Delhi. Inside photograph shows an EV charging station by Tata Power.