Bengaluru Needs 400 EV Charging Stations To Meet 2030 Demand: CSTEP

Bengaluru Needs 400 EV Charging Stations To Meet 2030 Demand: CSTEP

Bengaluru will require more than 36,000 public charger guns—25 times the guns it had in 2023 to meet its 2030 charging needs, a latest recent report by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) said. 

A charger gun, also known as an EV charging cable or connector, is a device that connects an electric vehicle (EV) to a charging station or wall outlet to transfer electricity to the vehicle’s battery. Several stationary EV charging guns are in the market, each designed for a specific type of EV and charging system.

As electric vehicles (EVs) have relatively zero tailpipe emissions and lower running costs, an increasing number of Bengalureans are adopting EVs over their conventional counterparts. As per the Karnataka-based think tank–Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) for a smoother transition to EVs, challenges related to battery charging need to be overcome. 

A recent study conducted by CSTEP titled ‘Bengaluru 2030: EV Charging Demand and Infrastructure’, assessed the number of charger guns required in 2030, the impact of these guns on the grid, and potential locations for setting them up. The study also proposed charging tariffs for 2030 by considering the current utilization rates, tariffs, and anticipated demand in 2030.

Consumer surveys were used to gauge perceptions about EVs and their charging patterns. Further, the annual estimated energy demand from EV charging in 2030 was estimated  to be 3.3–4.1 BU, accounting for 7%–9% of the city’s annual energy demand in 2030. The peak load due to EV charging is expected to reach 1.2 GW by 2030, as against 0.096 GW in 2023. 

The CSTEP study also assessed the demand for public charger guns in each Regional Transport Office (RTO) zone in Bengaluru, Subsequently, it identified approximately 400 potential charging locations (e.g. IT parks, metro stations, fuel stations, and shopping malls) in nine RTO zones to meet the demand from EVs in 2030. The land required for establishing these charging stations would be 141 acre, which is equivalent to the land for approximately 700 petrol pumps.

To assess the business viability for charge point operators to set up charging stations in the metropolis, a commercial analysis was performed by the study. As per the results, the charger utilization rates will be 25%–50% in 2030, and the corresponding tariffs for various types of charger guns can be capped at Rs. 11– 15/kWh. The study highlights that overnight home charging, which is currently preferred by EV users, results in the least strain on the grid. However, going ahead, promoting daytime charging at workplaces or public charging stations, through policy measures, may be beneficial for increasing the share of renewable energy used for EV charging.