At the upcoming Bharat Mobility Expo 2025, a strong focus will be on electric vehicles (EVs), mobility innovations, and sustainability. As India aims for EVs to account for 30% of all vehicle sales by 2030, the need for better charging infrastructure becomes increasingly urgent.
The country’s EV market is set for rapid growth, with the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments leading the charge, while the four-wheeler market is also expanding due to new model launches. This surge in EV adoption is part of India’s broader strategy to reduce fossil fuel reliance, lower carbon emissions, and promote clean energy. However, a major hurdle to this vision is the lack of adequate charging infrastructure.
Current Charging Challenges and Solutions
At present, charging an EV takes 2-3 hours. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 2030 projection report suggests that advancements in charging technology, such as wireless charging and super-fast chargers capable of recharging an EV in under 5 minutes, are essential. Promoting domestic research and development (R&D) in charging tech is critical to India’s ambitions in transport decarbonization.
EV Sales Growth
In FY24, India saw a significant rise in EV sales, reaching 1.67 million units, up from 1.17 million in FY23. Notably, electric four-wheeler sales surged to 90,432 units from 47,499 the previous year, signaling increased adoption across vehicle segments.
Charging Infrastructure Projections
To meet the growing demand for EVs, India’s CII roadmap for future mobility highlights that by 2030, the country will need to install approximately 1.6 lakh charging stations. This would ensure a 1:100 ratio of charging infrastructure to EVs. The total number of EV charging points required by 2030 is projected to be around 5.4 lakh, with an annual installation rate of over 4 lakh chargers to achieve a 1:40 ratio.
Key Charging Challenges
The EV industry faces several challenges that hinder faster adoption:
Slow charging speeds
Insufficient charging infrastructure
Lack of standardized charging norms
Evolving battery technologies and high initial costs
Multiple no-objection certificates (NOCs) needed for installation
Grid stability and power supply issues
Resistance from Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to installing chargers
Expert Recommendations
Experts suggest several solutions to overcome these barriers:
Establish single-window mechanisms for charging station installations
Ensure timely electricity connections and reliable supply
Address peak demand times when many users seek to charge, which could strain the grid
Current EV to Charger Ratio
As of early 2023, India had about 5,300 public EV charging stations with approximately 22 lakh EVs on the road. This results in a 1:400 ratio of EVs to chargers, underlining the need for a rapid expansion of charging infrastructure.
With EV adoption set to rise, improving charging infrastructure will be key to supporting this shift and ensuring the success of India’s green mobility goals by 2030.
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