Govt Extends EV Charging Norms For Battery Swapping Centers

The Ministry of Power (MoP) in its latest notification extended several norms, meant for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations for Battery Swapping Stations (BSS) and Battery Swapping Charging Stations (BCS). This notification comes at a time when the government and several battery swapping companies are working to boost this alternative means of refueling EVs.

The latest notification said that Clauses 5, 7, 9, 11, sub-clause 5 of clause12, 13 (except sub-clause 2) and 20 of the principal guidelines titled “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure – 2024”, will also be applicable for Battery Charging Stations, Battery Swapping Stations and Battery Providers.

Clause 5 of the principal guidelines document talks about the general requirements of charging stations like the time limits for installation of these centres through discoms and in different areas of the country. Clause 7 talks about the provision of public land at promotional rate for these setups. Clause 9 of the ministry norms talk about the tariffs for power supply for EV charging stations. On the other side, Clause 11 talks about density and network related norms for these centers.

MoP following guidelines also aim to regulate such battery charging systems. These guidelines apply to swappable battery providers, as well as owners and operators of battery charging and battery swapping stations, regardless of location.

The provisions allow Battery Charging Station (BCS) or Battery Swapping Station (BSS) owners to use an existing electricity connection, with or without requesting an increase in the connected load, for charging swappable batteries. Additionally, battery swapping or charging stations can deploy liquid-cooled swappable batteries for larger vehicles, such as trucks and buses.

Objectives

The main objectives of these guidelines are:
i) To promote the swapping of batteries as an alternative method of powering EVs.
ii) To promote the concept of “Battery as a Service.”
iii) To develop a robust battery-swapping ecosystem.

The Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure – 2024 also apply to Battery Charging Stations, Battery Swapping Stations, and Battery Providers.