India’s journey towards achieving over 30% electrification by 2030 will require Rs 16,000 crore in capital expenditure (capex) for public charging infrastructure, according to the ‘FICCI EV Public Charging Infrastructure Roadmap 2030’ report. Has gone. The report recommends prioritizing 40 major cities and 20 highway segments based on electric vehicle (EV) sales data from 2015 to 2023-24. These cities, recognized for their current EV adoption rates and supportive state policies, are projected to see high EV penetration within the next 3-5 years. The 20 highway stretches connecting these cities carry 50% of India’s vehicle traffic.
Despite the increase in EV adoption, the financial viability of public charging stations in India remains low, with usage rates at less than 2%. To achieve profitability and scalability, usage needs to increase to 8-10% by 2030. Taking the example of Germany, the report highlights that an economically viable charging network can be developed with usage of 5-10% in cities and no more than 16% on highways. Collaborative planning with local authorities is required to identify ideal charging station locations.
The report also outlines several challenges hindering the expansion of charging infrastructure. These include financial constraints such as high infrastructure costs, low usage rates and inconsistent power supplies, and operational issues such as lack of standardized protocols for interoperability. High fixed electricity rates in some states exacerbate the problem, making it difficult for even public charging stations to operate. While states like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat have implemented low or zero fixed tariffs, other states face high costs, threatening business viability.
FICCI calls for coordinated action from policymakers, industry leaders and government bodies to advance India’s clean energy transition. The report stresses on implementing the latest guidelines from the power ministry uniformly across all states and setting up a state-level cell with industry and government representatives to monitor the development of charging infrastructure.
