India Needs 3.9 Million Charging Stations by 2030: Report

India Needs 3.9 Million Charging Stations by 2030: Report

A latest report from GameChanger Law Advisors and Speciale Invest claimed that to meet its ambitious 2030 EV adoption targets, India needs to install at least 3.9 million charging stations, making charging accessibility one of the most pressing challenges for the industry.

The report titled ‘Charging Ahead II’ said that India’s electric vehicle (EV) market has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, but charging infrastructure remains a critical bottleneck. The country currently has one public charger per 135 EVs, far below the global standard of 1 per 6–20 EVs.  The report highlights how scaling up public and private investments, improving policy incentives, and adopting global best practices will be crucial to bridging this infrastructure gap.

It said that investment in India’s EV charging sector has surged, with over $450 million deployed in public charging networks and battery-swapping models over the last five years. Leading companies like Charge Zone, Tata Power, and Statiq are spearheading expansion efforts, supported by growing investor confidence in the long-term viability of EV infrastructure. The report notes that charging infrastructure investment is expected to continue its double-digit growth trajectory, creating significant opportunities for both domestic and international stakeholders.

Beyond investment trends, “Charging Ahead II” also examines how India can learn from global EV leaders such as California, the UK, and Singapore. These regions have successfully accelerated EV adoption through a combination of policy incentives, public-private partnerships (PPPs), and regulatory clarity. The report suggests that India must adopt similar incentive-driven models and focus on streamlining permits, land acquisition, and interoperability standards to create a more robust charging network.

Standardization and interoperability are key enablers for EV adoption, and India is taking steps to address this challenge. The recent introduction of IS17017-2023, India’s first combined AC & DC charging standard, based on Ather Energy’s LECCS connector, represents a major step toward charging infrastructure efficiency. The report highlights that implementing common charging protocols will reduce infrastructure costs, improve ease of access, and encourage wider participation from private charging operators.

Commenting on the findings, Amrut Joshi, Founder, GameChanger Law Advisors, emphasized the urgent need for regulatory clarity and a structured policy framework to accelerate EV charging infrastructure in India. “India’s EV ambitions are on the right trajectory, but without a well-defined and scalable charging ecosystem, adoption could face significant roadblocks. Our report highlights the critical role that streamlined regulations and incentive-driven models can play in addressing the current infrastructure deficit. The key to success lies in a collaborative approach—where government support, private investment, and technological innovation converge to build a resilient, future-ready charging network that ensures accessibility, affordability, and long-term sustainability.”

Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner at Speciale Invest, underscored the massive investment potential in India’s EV charging ecosystem, emphasizing the need for sustainable financing models. “India’s EV transition isn’t just about vehicles—it’s about the infrastructure that enables mass adoption. Charging networks present one of the most exciting investment opportunities in energy and mobility today. To scale effectively, we need a strategic mix of public-private partnerships, innovative financing models, and policy support.

To unlock India’s EV potential, the report said that the government must create investment-friendly policies, including tax incentives and blended capital models. Streamlining approvals through a single-window clearance system, enforcing fire-safety standards, and ensuring disabled-friendly charging infrastructure will be critical for attracting institutional and foreign investments into India’s $450M+ EV charging sector.