Charging infra guidelines for electric vehicles get nod

One charging station in 3x3 km grid in all cities mandated

Representational image.

Under the new guidelines for the electric vehicle charging infrastructure approved by Power Minister R.K. Singh on Friday, there must be at least one charging station in a grid of 3 x 3 km in all megacities and one charging station every 25 km on both sides of highways.

“In order to address the range of issues of electric vehicle owners, a phase-wise installation of an appropriate network of charging infrastructure throughout the country has been envisaged in the guidelines, ensuring that at least one charging station should be available in a grid of 3 km X 3 km in the cities and one charging station at every 25 km on both sides of highways/roads,” the government said in a release.

First phase is 1-3 years

The first phase of the plan (1-3 years) will cover all megacities with a population of more than four million as per the 2011 Census, and all expressways and highways connected to these megacities. The second phase (3-5 years) will cover other big cities such as State capitals.

“To address concerns in inter-city travel and long range and heavy duty EVs, fast-charging stations for [vehicles] like buses/trucks shall be installed every 100 km,” the release said.

“Assuming that most of the charging of EVs would take place at homes or offices where the decision of using fast or slow chargers would rest with consumers, private charging at residences/offices shall be permitted.”

The guidelines also reiterate the Power Ministry’s earlier stance that the setting up of public charging stations will be a de-licensed activity and any individual or entity is free to set up public charging stations.