Source: BS
Context: The Indian government has issued revised guidelines for the installation and operation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, aiming to boost EV adoption and expand charging infrastructure.
These guidelines, released by the Ministry of Power, introduce a new revenue-sharing model between the government and private operators to make charging stations more financially viable.
Key highlights include:
- Charging stations can be installed in various locations such as office buildings, educational institutions, public spaces like shopping malls, airports, highways, and petrol stations.
- The guidelines promote EV charging during solar hours (9 AM to 4 PM) by offering lower tariffs to encourage renewable energy usage.
- A minimum density of charging stations is specified, with urban areas requiring at least one station per 1 km² by 2030, and stations placed every 20 km along highways.
- The new policy also supports the government’s PM E-DRIVE scheme, which aims to install 74,300 chargers across the country, including fast chargers for different types of EVs.
- The government plans to provide subsidized land to private operators for station installation, with revenue-sharing arrangements based on electricity consumption for up to 10 years.
