Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in India: Scope & feasibility

. 7 min read
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in India: Scope & feasibility

Electric Vehicles require an effective EV charging system to keep them in shape. According to the International Energy Agency, since 2018, the global fleet of EVs hit 5.1 million marks by 2 million, a global trend in the area of charging, with a total of 5.2 million marks worldwide.

Following a lengthy debate, it has been concluded that the electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a priority in India before widespread EV adoption.

It was proven that there was 3 times more necessary in a country than rebates and discounts on the sale of electric vehicles. From the market standpoint, public charging or home charging facilities are among the best promotions of EVs. Assessing electric vehicles is also a large supplier network of EVSE facilities. Adequate EV charging infrastructure relieves consumer pressure, and the technical advances that lead to shortened charging times improve user comfort. The main feature is the charging infrastructure that offers the "on-the-the-go," which can be truly the best innovation for EVs if it is generally accessible and practicable.

Electric Vehicles Maximise Road Time

Unlike individual transportation, which usually runs 1-4 hours a day on the track, the vehicles of fleet passenger vehicles must be on the road for the benefit of more than 10-12 hours of run-time a day. These vehicles' slow charging time should be carefully designed, and DC Fast Chargers are responsible for the bulk of "refuelling" of such vehicles.

EV Fleets in India Way Forward

Since thousands of fleet cars are moving electrically, it is obvious that charging devices must keep on updating. Fleet companies are beginning to explore multiple charging models, including dispersed public charges, dedicated hubs charges, and varying variations of these two models.

Would the EV Adoption Help to Charge Infrastructure in India?

Commercial success for EVs includes charging infrastructure installation. Many charging devices are currently available and are further predicted to appear over the next five years.

Both static (installation, utility, transformers, and installation) and variable charging infrastructure costs are (electricity charges). Investment-grade will dominate running costs for chargers for commercial energy rates. Thus, the overall power costs of fast charging stations exceed slower domestic chargers because the former is sufficiently high.

Maintaining additional energy demand from EVs is both a problem for delivery providers and an opportunity. High levels of EV home charging will cause troubles for local transformers. If they can move demand to off-peak hours, utilities can reach additional peak power. In certain countries, time-of-use power pricing and smart metering have also been used to enable off-peak charging and control peak loads. Vehicle to grid infrastructure that enables it feasible that EVs will operate as mobile energy storage systems should supplement these efforts. All in all, tariff changes in energy will be required if existing power systems respond to the increased supply of massive electric vehicle deployments.

Factors That Will Define the Demand for EV Infrastructure in India

1. Costing

The automotive industry in India is extremely cost responsive. This influences the expectations of customers for economic mobility choices.

2. Cleanliness

Thanks to rising awareness and emphasis across the world, we are consciously shifting towards cleaner transportation. Traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and their fuels are being upgraded, and EVs are a big alternative.

3. Public Transportation

Public transport coverage in India has so far been limited. Still, the need for last-mile connectivity is increasing rapidly. New consumer industries with high potential for electrically powered systems are emerging in the form of last-mile transport needs, including 2 and 3-wheelers, cars, and buses.

4. Congestive Traffic

The demand for mobility was fed and raised by demographic growth and urbanisation. Ridesharing's rising success played an important role in decreased vehicle ownership and increasing connection with common transportation solutions.

5. Simplicity and safety

The demand for safety and ease during a journey is high. The masses prefer metro or convenient low-floor buses over older fleets when it comes to public transportation. Manufacturers will have to associate their products with the changing preferences and expectations of people.

Although electricity is limited for passenger cars, buses, and commercial cars in India, start-ups, non-traditional players, and car manufacturers start showing greater interest by three factors:

Also read: 5 EV Battery Manufacturers In India

6. Reduced prices

Driven by a technologically advanced scale, battery packs' costs have dropped, making them more cost-effective and accessible.

7. Frameworks of policies and regulations

EVs are favoured in central and state policies over ICE vehicles, particularly for public and institutional transport. EVs have become more attractive by allocating funds specifically for EV production – from early subventions to non-fiscal initiatives.

8. An effort to build charging infrastructure

OEMs' confidence has also been strengthened by central and state government efforts to promote accessible public charging networks throughout the country.

Business Strategy and Valuation Proposal in India

1. Leasing of Vehicles

A vehicle leasing model is ideal for higher acceptance for commercial or taxi use for both passenger vehicles. Leasing for ICE vehicles is now in operation, minimising the purchaser's initial expenditure and delivering bundled services such as repairs and insurance. This EV model requires a high initial investment but offers stable revenues due to electric vehicles' high cost. The lower mechanical wear in EVs, telecommunication, and vehicle health surveillance will manage repair costs and decrease residual value, which will increase financial profitability.

2. Leasing of batteries

As the battery corresponds to half the engine's cost, this model is highly suited to commercial vehicles and buses, as the high initial cost is minimised and made commercially feasible. The potential hazards include battery wear and tear, very complicated market models, and civil liability problems.

This company can be developed through battery OEMs and leasing funding partners. However, it can be complicated by the inclusion of OEMs since all involved parties must harmonise. The model will all be taken on by ride-hailing aggregators, big private buses, state transit operators, and municipal buses.

3. Swapping of batteries

This model involves substantial investment in battery development, equipment standardisation, and the installation of swap infrastructure. While the problems of non-standard batteries, absence of availability, a limited base of consumers, and exceedingly mechanical operations are efficient for three-wheeled drivers, they limit mass applications.

The small business car can benefit from this model as the trade concept does not clash with architecture, style, or build quality. It is also doubtful that passenger cars will see heavy acceptance. The model can be powered easier by car OEMs, battery manufacturers, and individual players for business-like areas. But the creation of a strong, fully integrated network involves cross-model OEM standardisation.

4. Sharing Vehicles

Sharing mobility is an evolving industry with players developing an electric car network for point-to-point transport. This model helps minimise purchasing costs and decreases the cost of use by maximising the use of assets. This also helps combat the issue of air pollution.

This can be used for two-wheelers, but obstacles to passenger cars' introduction include greater road spending, parking, and charging restrictions. Independent players may build an aggregation site for recreational use with improved EV penetration.

However, the exchange of business models post-COVID-19 would be less portable because of the need for social distance and personal health issues.

Also read:

1) How does the future of Electric Vehicles look like?
2) Electric Vehicles: Is India ready for EVs?
3) How to Get an Electric Vehicle Dealership? Read this 101 Guide
4) Green Architecture: What is the purpose of Green Architecture?
5) Electric Vehicles Manufacturers in India

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FAQs

Q. If the car runs out of battery, what does an EV driver do?

Ans: Battery exhaust in an EV is similar to gas exhaust. The EV has a charge indicator in the same way as a gas gauge. If the charge is low, plug it in and charge the EV charging station.

Q. Are sufficient chargers available?

Ans: When people drive around the city, they see lots of gas pumps and do not see many charging stations. The demand for electric charging stations will increase as we see more electric cars in cities and state highways and expressways. Most EV-owners have "home" charging points for overnight charges, but EV charging stations are convenient to add to more workplaces and commercial premises.

Q. How long would it take at the charging station to charge an EV?

Ans: Recharge time can affect your life, whether you plan on using your EV for local, regular driving, or longer cross-state treks. It takes far more time to refill a drained battery pack than filling up the gasoline-powered car's tank. How much more time, though? And why, based on where you want to charge it, does it differ? When you plug your EV in, here's what to expect: A shorter time when you charge your EV with a DC supercharger that can charge your EV within minutes.