Electric Vehicles Charging Guidelines

The Ministry for Power and Ministry for New and Renewable Energy approved guidelines and specifications for establishing charging stations for electric vehicles. The Government of India (GoI) has approved guidelines and standards on 14.12.2018 to regulate infrastructure for electric vehicles. Following the previous approval, GoI released an amendment through Notification N0. 12/2019 on 4th October 2019 to increase the number of electric vehicles and infrastructure in the country. The revised guidelines emphasise on addressing the concerns of the infrastructure for electric vehicles' users. The amendment focuses on Charging Stations in cities, expressways and public spaces, guidelines and standards, infrastructure requirements and nomination of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for facilitating charging infrastructure.

Objectives

To increase the number of electric vehicles in India
Create a safe, reliable, accessible and affordable charging stations
Set an affordable tariff for users
Create more infrastructure to help set up charging stations
Create employment and income opportunities for SMEs
Create a sustainable and eco-friendly charging infrastructure to increase business opportunities

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Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Guidelines

Charging Stations at Highways or Roads

The expansion of infrastructure for electric vehicles shall be carried out in two phases. The infrastructure will connect the mega-cities and important highways in the first phase. The second phase will cover big cities, State Capitals Union Capitals (UTs) within five years.
Charging stations will be made available for electric vehicles for every 25 Km on both the sides of the highways or roads.
Fast charging stations shall be installed for long-range and heavy-duty electric vehicles every 100 Km on both the sides of the highways or roads.
At least one charging station with a grid of 3x3 shall be made available.

Charging Stations at Public Spaces

Public Charging Stations (PCS) such as private charging at residents or offices can be facilitated on meeting the requirements of the technical standards and protocols of the Ministry of Power and New and Renewable Energy. Setting up PCS shall be deemed as a de-licensed activity. Hence any individual or an entity can set up the infrastructure. The tariff for the provision and supply of electricity shall be determined as per Section 3 of Electricity Act 2003. To set up a charging station at PCS, the individual or the entity shall approach the Distribution Company for a license for connectivity.

Minimum Requirements for PCS

The facility shall have 33/11 KV line or cables linked with termination or metering equipment
The facility should be updated with appropriate safety equipment and civil works
Tie up with Network Service Providers (NSP) to enable the remote or online booking to charge EVs
Provision to update data to Distribution Company (DISCOM) and maintain records as per the guidelines of DISCOM
Liquid Cooled cables for high-speed charging if Fluid Cooled Batteries (FCBs) are installed

Types of Chargers for PCS

The guidelines stipulate that the following types can be used at Public Charging Stations:

S.No.	Type of the Charger	Type of the Connector	Rated Voltage	No. of Charging Points
1	Fast	CCS (min 50 kW)	200-1000	1/1 CG
2		CHAdeMO (min 50 kW)	200-1000	1/1 CG
3		Type-2 AC (min 22 kW)	380-480	1/1 CG
4	Slow	Bharat AC-001 (10 kW)	230	3/3 CG of 3.3 kW each

Central Nodal Agency

The GoI has nominated Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a legislative body under the Ministry of Power to monitor the process of installation, operation and maintenance of PCS, FCS, BCS and BSF. The tariff for providing power supply for PCS will be decided by BEE with the consultation of Central or State governments as regulated by Section 3 of Electricity Act 2003. Scroll more for complete details on the notification For more details on how to start a business on charging stations!