With increasing pollution and rising fuel costs in India, adopting electric mobility (EV) has become the need of the hour. Developing charging infrastructure is a critical aspect of accelerating the EV industry. Central and state governments, industry alliances, and technology experts are working together in this direction.
Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles plays a crucial role in the widespread adoption of EVs. The availability of charging stations not only provides users with a convenient option to charge their vehicles but also builds consumer trust in EVs. Currently, EV users face challenges such as long charging times, lack of charging points, and high costs. Addressing these issues will further accelerate the adoption of EVs.
IESA’s Role
Debi Prasad Dash, President of the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), stated that IESA has been working in India’s electric mobility sector for the past 12 years and considers charging infrastructure a vital resource for accelerating EV adoption. IESA has collaborated with multiple manufacturers and entities (CPUs) involved in developing charging infrastructure across various states in the country.
Government's New Initiative: PM E-Drive
The central government recently announced the PM E-Drive, allocating ₹2,000 crores for fast charging infrastructure. This initiative marks a significant leap in advancing technology rather than promoting traditional methods. It will benefit all segments, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and electric buses. However, the detailed framework for this scheme is yet to be released by the government.
The government has also indicated that the plan will be designed based on state-specific demands, regional requirements, and state policies, which will aid in the development of charging infrastructure nationwide.
Focus on Innovation and Research in Charging Infrastructure
IESA has suggested that more emphasis should be placed on innovation and research in charging infrastructure, keeping in mind India’s specific conditions, such as climate, temperature, and usage patterns.
Additionally, the government has declared charging infrastructure as a priority area under the Advanced National Research Foundation (ANRF), which is part of the "Maha mission" (MHA). This demonstrates the government’s focus on both electric vehicle manufacturing and charging infrastructure development.
Solar Charging: A New Model
Debi further highlighted solar charging as an emerging concept in charging infrastructure. Traditionally, it was believed that large solar plants could make the grid greener, and charging stations could operate using energy from the grid.
However, in areas where grid reliability is an issue, charging stations can be powered using solar rooftops. This is a new and evolving business model that many companies in India are exploring. With solar energy costs falling below ₹2-3 per unit, charging costs under solar charging programs will not be high.
IESA Perspective
IESA has lauded the government’s initiatives and also shared some expectations. The organisation has pledged to work closely with state and central governments to promote electric mobility and charging infrastructure rapidly.
Conclusion
These new initiatives by the government will not only boost the production of electric vehicles but also strengthen charging infrastructure across the country, contributing to the development of an environmentally friendly and cost-effective transportation system.
