RK Singh Okays Amendments in EV Charging Guidelines to Ease Concerns

BEE has been nominated by the power ministry as the Central Nodal Agency to facilitate the installation of charging infrastructure.

In order to provide much-awaited relief to the electric vehicle (EV) owners in the country, Power Minister RK Singh has provided his consent for needed amendments in the EV charging guidelines and specifications.

The Ministry of Power said in a statement that, these revised guidelines and specifications for charging infrastructure shall supersede the earlier guidelines and standards issued by the power ministry on December 14, 2018.

While expressing hope on the revised guidelines that they will encourage faster adoption of EVs in India, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, RK Singh said that these revised guidelines are more consumer-friendly as they incorporate a number of suggestions received from various stakeholders.

Singh further added that “we have tried to address the concerns of EV owners in new guidelines.”

As per the new power ministry guidelines, at least one EV charging station should be available in a grid of 3 Km x 3 Km in the cities and one charging station at every 25 Km on both sides of highways/roads.

Also, in phase-1, which is between 1-3 years, all mega cities with a population of more than four million according to the 2011 census, and all the existing expressways connected to these mega cities and important highways connected with each of these mega cities may be taken up for coverage.

On the other hand, in phase-2, which is between 3-5 years, big cities such as state capitals, UT headquarters may be covered for distributed and demonstrative effect. Also, important highways connected with each of these mega cities may also be taken up for coverage, the ministry added.

Besides for inter-city travel, fast charging stations will be installed at every 100 kms for long-range and heavy-duty vehicles like buses, trucks etc. These can be installed one on each side of the highways/road located preferably alongside the Public Charging Station (PCS).

However, the power ministry instructed the concerned state, UT governments, or their agencies that the said distance requirements can be used by them for the planning of land use for PCS as well as for priority in the installation of distribution network including transformers/ feeders etc by Discoms. This can be done in all cases including where no central/state subsidy is provided, it added.

On private charging at residences/offices, the ministry clarified that this shall be permitted and Discoms may facilitate the same.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has been nominated by the power ministry as the Central Nodal Agency to facilitate the installation of charging infrastructure. However, there’s a provision for State Nodal Agency also for respective states and they can act as the key facilitator in installing charging infrastructure on pan India.

On the cost front, it has been provided that domestic charging will be considered as domestic consumption of electricity and shall be charged as such.

However, in case of PCS, tariff for the supply of electricity to PCS will be determined by the appropriate commission in accordance with the Tariff policy issued under sec 3 of Electricity Act 2003, as amended from time to time.

For service chargers at PCS, it has been explained that charging of EV is a service, and to ensure that the incentives (financial or otherwise) provided to PCS owners in installation of charging stations are transferred to the EV owners, it has been provided that the appropriate agency/commission shall fix the ceiling of service charges in such cases.

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