The electric vehicle industry in India is slowly growing. The central and state governments have implemented schemes and incentives to promote electric mobility, and have introduced regulations and standards.

In 2015, the Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) launched FAME, or Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric vehicles, which is currently India's flagship scheme for promoting electric mobility,

Although India would benefit from converting its transport from internal combustion (IC) engines to electric motors, challenges include a lack of charging infrastructure, high initial cost and a lack of renewable energy. E-commerce companies, car manufacturers, app-based transport network companies and mobility-solution providers have entered the sector, however, they are slowly building electric-car capacity and visibility.

Standards Charging

+Electric vehicle standards and specifications Charging station Maximum Supported Level Type Voltage (V) Current (A) Power (kW) Vehicles Connector(s)(preferred) 1 AC 240 16 3.5 Light EV4w, 3w, 2w Type 1, Bharat AC-001 DC 48–120 100 15 Bharat DC-001 2 AC380–400 63 (3φ) / 70 (1φ) 22 4w, 3w, 2w Type 1, Type 2, GB/T, Bharat AC-001 3 200–1000 4.3–22 Cars and SUVs4w Type 2 4 DC 400 Type 2, CHAdeMO, CCS1, CCS2

Indian Standard 17017 (IS 17017) is the governing standard in India, with parts and sections largely compatible with IEC 61851 and IEC 62196: Part 1 has basic features and general requirements Part 2 has connector standards: Part 2 § 1 is adapted from IEC 62196-1 Part 2 § 2 is adapted from IEC 62196-2 for India Part 2 § 3 is adapted from IEC 62196-3 Part 3 is adapted from IEC 61851-3 for light EVs Part 21, adapted from IEC 61851-21, has electromagnetic compatibility standards for charging units Part 23, adapted from IEC 61851-23, has requirements for DC EVSEs Part 24, adapted from IEC 61851-24, has communication requirements for DC EVSEs

Charging stations in India are classified as distributed or high-power, depending on the maximum power which can be supplied. Within these classifications are distinctions based on the current (alternating or direct current) and intended use:

+Charging infrastructure Type Power (kW) Level Connector standard Notes Distributed charge points AC Light EV 7 1 IS-60309 Includes low-cost AC charge points with a maximum of 3 kW using 220 VAC / 15 A supply line, target price for two- and three-wheeled light vehicles DC Light EV IS-17017-2-6 Unique to India due to use of low-voltage (≤120V) traction batteries AC Parkbay 11 (max 22) 2 IS-17017-2-2 DC Parkbay IS-17017-2-3 High-power charge points DC 50–250 3 IS-17017-2-3 Dual-gun 250–500 4 IS-17017-2-3 Uses dual CCS2 connectors Automated pantograph IS-17017-3-2 Based on SAE J3105-1

AC IS:17017 specifies Bharat EV Charging standard AC001 for Level 1. It uses 15A, 230V, 3.3 kW, and an IEC 60309 connector. Electric vehicles can be charged with a regular 220V – 15A household supply that delivers about 2.5 kW of power. There is no policy or standard for at-home EV charging. Bharat EV specifications recommend the installation of a residual current circuit breaker to ensure safety and use of an IEC 60309 industrial connector, but a three-pin 15A plug could also be used. For higher power AC charging (Levels 2 and 3, ~22 kW), Type 2 connectors are specified. The advantage of Type 2 connectors is their ability to use three-phase electric power.

DC The public DC charging standard is DC 001 for Level 1, using custom GB/T for EV-EVSE communication over a CAN bus. It uses 200A, 15 kW, and a GB/T 20234.3 connector. Maximum DC output voltage is 100V. Cars using this standard include the Mahindra e-Varito, Mahindra e20 and Tata Motors e-Tigor.

IS:17017-1, published by the BIS in August 2018, recommends CCS-2 (Combined Charging System Combo 2) and CHAdeMO protocols for high-power Level 4 fast charging. The advantage of CCS over CHAdeMO and GB/T is that it uses power-line communication (PLC) for EV-EVSE communication; CHAdeMO and GB/T use CAN. PLC allows secure, encrypted communications, and the link can support a higher data rate than CAN.

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) The IS:17017 standard published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) covers general requirements and safety norms for EVSEs.

Central Management System (CMS) The Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) 1.5 or higher over the internet is required.

Charging stations

The Indian government has defined public charging stations and EV charging businesses as de-licensed activities. It has been specified that each area in cities must have at least one charging station, and one station every on both sides of highways. These guidelines were mandated in cities with populations of over four million and all expressways and major highways connecting those cities by 2022. The second phase (three to five years) will focus on large cities, such as state capitals and Union Territory headquarters. Plugin India is an initiative to facilitate community charging stations, and solar-powered charging points at fuel stations are planned. Companies such as Tata Power, Fortum and Joulepoint are part of the electric-vehicle-charging sector. They have installed a variety of chargers, including rapid DC chargers and level 2 AC chargers, for applications such as public access, workplace charging, fleet charging, residential communities, malls, and highways.

The development of public charging infrastructure, particularly level 2 charging, is expected to be the greatest challenge to service integration. Standard charging time is six to eight hours, and cost and lack of renewable energy are issues for fast DC charging. Ten percent of the required charging infrastructure is expected to consist of fast-charging stations, and the remainder will be Level 2 public charging stations. Ather Energy introduced Ather Grid, its charging infrastructure service, on 22 May 2018 in Bangalore; each charging station is known as a point. The service, available for all electric vehicles, has been deployed where Ather plans to introduce its electric scooter.

Government policies

Union

Reiterating its commitment to the Paris Agreement, the government of India plans to make a major shift to electric vehicles by 2030. It outlined a two-pronged strategy for buyers and manufacturers, offering $1.4 billion in subsidies to buyers and increasing import tariffs to encourage the manufacture of electric vehicles by domestic companies. The government is focusing on electrifying public transportation with subsidies, primarily for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and buses. It also earmarks $140 million for the development of charging infrastructure. On 14 December 2018, the government released an outline of standards and guidelines for EV charging infrastructure. In addition to specifications for charging infrastructure, the guidelines require a charging station for every of road or highway. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is obtaining 10,000 electric vehicles for rent or sale to government departments.

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, 2020 (NEMMP) This plan was introduced by the government of India in 2012 to increase national fuel security through the promotion of hybrid and electric vehicles. India's auto industry contributes 22 percent to manufacturing GDP, a percentage expected to increase to 25 percent by 2022 with the new manufacturing policy. The NEMMP aims for 30-percent EV penetration in India by 2030.

Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles (FAME) The government began a Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles (FAME) scheme, which provides incentives for purchasing electric vehicles. Phase I of the scheme was from 2015 to 2019; Phase II began in 2019, and was planned for completion in 2022.

The government is releasing tenders to increase charging infrastructure nationwide. The scheme offers incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles ranging from to 29,000 for scooters and motorcycles and 1.38 lakh for cars. FAME is a part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.

Go Electric campaign The government introduced its Go Electric campaign in early 2021 to encourage the adoption of electric mobility vehicles and electric cooking appliances and to ensure energy security. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the campaign, saying that Go Electric is the future for India and will promote low-cost, environmentally friendly, indigenous electrical products. Gadkari expressed concern about the cost of importing fossil fuels, and called emissions from transportation vehicles a major challenge. The country must encourage the use of vehicles using alternative fuels such as electric batteries, compressed natural gas and biofuels. The government waived registration fees for EVs, and urged the states to give tax breaks.

Delhi In 2019 the Delhi government approved 1,000 low-floor AC electric buses to be used in the union territory's public-transport system. The buses have CCTV, an automatic vehicle tracking system (AVTS), panic buttons and panic alarms. The government subsidy is 75 lakh or 60 percent of the cost of the bus, whichever is less. Delhi had 249 electric buses on the road. The Delhi-based startup Park+ plans to set up 10,000 chargers by 2024 in the Delhi NCR. Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot tweeted that the Delhi government would continue its EV policy in 2023.

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami introduced Mauto Electric Mobility's electric auto rickshaws, reportedly India's first retrofitted electric autos, in 2019. The Dubai-based KMC Group and Mauto Electric Mobility will convert petrol-powered auto rickshaws into electric vehicles with an investment of 100 crore and create 5,000 jobs. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during Palaniswami's September 2019 stopover in Dubai during his three-nation trip.

"The driving range per full charge of three hours will be . The aim is to introduce 4,000 electric rickshaws in the city, 100 per month, to reduce air pollution to a large extent. The autos are fitted with CCTV surveillance, a panic button and a television. It is highly safe for children going to school and women", said Mansoor Ali Khan, chair of the Mauto group of companies. Mansoor, chief executive officer of the MAuto Group, said that petrol-driven auto rickshaws cost 350–400 per 100 km, and their electric counterparts cost 40. "The retrofitting of auto rickshaws will cost only 1.2 to 1.5 lakh. We are ready to convert vehicles registered after 2000", he added. The company is planning to set up charging stations in each of Chennai's ten zones. Charging on the go will be possible with a mobile app.

Odisha The Odisha government introduced its Electric Vehicle Policy 2021, effective from 1 September 2021, aiming for 20% adoption of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) among all new vehicle registrations by 2025.

The policy provides subsidies to promote EV purchases:

₹5,000 for two-wheelers (later enhanced up to ₹20,000 depending on battery capacity).

Up to ₹12,000 for three-wheelers.

Up to ₹1,00,000 for four-wheelers.

Buyers are also exempted from motor vehicle tax and registration fees on EVs registered in the state until 31 December 2025. In addition, government employees are eligible for interest-free advances for buying EVs.

To boost EV adoption, the government announced support for manufacturing units, charging stations, and retrofitting of vehicles. By 2025, Odisha had set up over 500 charging stations and is planning expansion with battery swapping and fast-charging facilities, including at fuel pumps and bus terminals.