Lok Sabha Question No. 646 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-06
Subject: Implementation of EV Infrastructure
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Smt. Sajda Ahmed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.646 ANSWERED ON 06.02.2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF EV INFRASTRUCTURE

646.   SMT. SAJDA AHMED:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  formulated  robust  guidelines  for  battery swapping and charging infrastructure and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the manner  in  which  the  Government  is  planning  to  address  the challenges such as standardization of battery technologies and interoperability; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  incentives  or  support  that  have  been  proposed  for stakeholders to fast-track the implementation of Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a) :  The  Ministry  of  Power  has  issued  'Guidelines  for Installation  and Operation of Battery Swapping and Charging Stations' on 10th January 2025. These guidelines outline the standards and protocols to facilitate development of  a  nationwide  network  of  Battery  Charging  Station  (BCS)  and  Battery Swapping Stations (BSS). The salient features of the guidelines are as follows:
- i. Setting  up  Battery  Swapping  Stations  (BSS)  and  Battery  Charging Stations (BCS) has been designated as a de-licensed activity, simplifying the process for businesses.
- ii. DISCOMs have been suggested to provide electricity connections up to  150  kW  with  expedited  timelines  and  clear  Standard  Operating Procedure (SOP) to BSS & BSS.

………2.

- iii. To make the land available at affordable rates, it has been suggested that public land be made available to Government or Public entities on a revenue-sharing model at ₹ 1 per kWh.  For private entities, the land may  be  made  available  through  a  competitive  bidding  process  at  a floor price of ₹ 1 per kWh.
- iv. Additionally, public tenders involving government land for the establishment of BCS/BSS have been suggested to be kept technology agnostic.
- v. State  Governments  have  been  advised  to  permit  round-the-clock operations for BCS and BSS.
- vi. Urban areas to have a battery charging/swapping station every 1 sq. km, and highways every 20 km and for Heavy Duty Vehicles every 100 km.
5. (b) : At  present  the  battery  swapping  is  evolving  and  full  interoperability among all Electric Vehicle (EV) users is not envisaged.

(c) :   Ministry of Power has issued 'Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric  Vehicle  Charging  Infrastructure-2024'  on  17th  September  2024  to facilitate  the  development  of  EV  charging  infrastructure  network  in  the country. The salient features of the above mentioned guidelines are as follows:

- i. Setting  up  EV  Charging  Stations  has  been  designated  as  a  de-licensed activity, simplifying the process for businesses.
- ii. To  facilitate  electricity  connection  for  EV  charging  stations,  timelines have  been  specified.  Owners  of  EV  charging  stations  may  opt  for  Low Tension (LT) connection for loads up to 150 kW.
- iii. To  make  the  land  available  at  affordable  rates  for  setting  up  of  EV charging station,it has  been  suggested  that  public  land  be  made available to Government or Public entities on a revenue-sharing model at ₹ 1 per kWh.  For private entities, the land may be made available through a competitive bidding process at a floor price of ₹ 1 per kWh.
- iv. Tariff for supply of electricity to EV charging stations has been simplified. It  has  been  advised  to  make  tariff  single  part  and  limited  to  "Average Cost of Supply" till 31st March 2028.

……..3.

- v. Residential  owners  may  use  existing  electricity  connections  for  EV charging or may opt for a separate metered connection from Distribution Licensee with a dedicated EV charging tariff.
- vi. To promote charging through solar energy, charging during solar hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) has been incentivized.
- vii. Service fee charged by a public and community EV charging station from a customer has been rationalized.
- viii. Use of  open  communication  protocols  like  Open  Charge  Point  Protocol (OCPP), Open Charge Point Interface (OCPI) and Unified Energy Interface (UEI)  to  create  connected  and  interoperable  EV  charging  infrastructure has been encouraged.

Various other measures taken by Government to fast-track implementation of EV charging infrastructure are as follows:

- i. Under  PM  e-DRIVE  (Electric  Drive  Revolution  in  Innovative  Vehicle Enhancement)  allocation  of  Rs.  2,000  Cr  has  been  made  to  support 72,300 public charging stations (48,400 for e-2W & 3W, 22,100 for e-4W and 1800 e-buses).
- ii. Model Building Bye-Laws has been amended mandating the inclusion of charging stations in private and commercial buildings.

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