Govt Issues Draft EV Guidelines To Unify Charging Infrastructure

The Ministry of Power (MoP) recently notified an amendment to the draft guideline for the installation and operation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging Infrastructure. Earlier this year, MoP issued an alternate facility to power the electric vehicles in separate draft guidelines and laid down separate draft guidelines to install and operate battery swapping and charging stations. The ministry’s latest proposed draft amendment aims to streamline both these guidelines by bringing a unified installation and operation guideline for setting up EV charging infrastructure. 

Redefinition Of Charging Infrastructure Components

MoP’s recent draft amendment replaced the subclause (g) to add the term electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) to include components like renewable integration (e.g., solar panels), real-time communication systems, and smart meters.

The draft specified the charging stations component to include EVSE, connection to DISCOM’s supply system including electricity meter, Power Management System for energy optimization, energy distribution, grid stability, and renewables integration. These communication networks can assist data exchange in real-time and remotely manage EV charging stations, cables, connectors, RFID tags, software applications, circuit breakers, solar panels (if connected), civil work, smart meters, transformers, etc. 

Expanded Definition Of EV Charing Facility

The latest draft replaced the Sub-clause (h) of Clause 4 to include an electric vehicle charging station. By the revised definition. the draft stated, “An electric vehicle charging station is a facility for charging Electric Vehicles or swappable EV batteries, with or without supporting upstream infrastructure or amenities.”

Provision For EV Charging Station To Operate Round The Clock 

The latest amendment introduces a new clause after sub-clause (3) of Clause 6, granting state governments the authority to ensure necessary permissions for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to operate 24/7. Additionally, a new sub-clause has been added after sub-clause (b) of Clause 7. This clause places the onus on the government and public entities to ensure wider participation in the allotment of public land for setting up EV charging stations. They would also be responsible for the use of technology-agnostic charging stations.   

State-Appointed SNAs 

The MoP replaced and added sub-clause 2 of clause 20 to allow each state to appoint a state nodal agency (SNA) to coordinate with DISCOMs and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC). They would provide electricity connections to public, community, workplace, and e-bus depot charging stations.

The latest amendment gives states the option to choose their state nodal agencies (SNAs), with DISCOMs as the default option. They are also given the power to designate State Public Sector Undertakings (SPSUs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), or Urban Development Authorities. Whereas, the government-appointed state-level steering committee, led by the Secretary of Energy and including secretaries of Transport, Municipal Administration, and Urban Development, would oversee the planning and monitoring of EV charging infrastructure. Thus, the state governments would have the flexibility to choose their Nodal Agency. The state DISCOMs will be the default option.