Find Out Everything You Need to Know About Public Electric Vehicle Charging in India

Electric vehicles are gaining rapid recognition in India due to their affordable cost of maintenance, environmentally friendly nature, and fashionable design. A major primary worry many Indians may have before purchasing an electric vehicle is the ability to charge it.

Customers throughout this country have difficulty purchasing an electric vehicle due to worries about the battery's cost and range and a scarcity of energy technologies in major cities. Electric vehicles are still a new addition to the fleet of Indian vehicles. Despite this, they have many advantages that are helping them develop economic momentum.

Electric Vehicles:

• Save you money on ever-rising gas prices
• Are cleaner
• Smoother to drive
• They are environment-friendly

Several initiatives by the government encourage the adoption of electric cars by the masses of the country. 

India's Availability of Public EV Charging Stations

Public charging stations for electric vehicles have started to appear throughout the country. Beginning in August 2021, the Delhi-Chandigarh Roadway was recognized as India's first EV-friendly highway. Government-owned oil marketing companies are now in the lead regarding EV charging stations.

Indian Oil has committed to building ten thousand extra charging stations around the country. As per the news updated in Economic Times, a leading English daily, on Feb 2022, Indian Oil has built 1000 electric vehicle charging stations across India. The company aims to reach ten thousand milestones in the next three years. 

HPCL has committed to building five thousand EV charging stations in addition to BPCL. The private sector has seen a rise in the installation of charging stations.
Most shops selling electric cars and two-wheelers in India have also set up public charging stations. 

Where Can Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations be Found?

Take note of the following if you are on the lookout for a nearby charging station: 

Automobile Producers

Almost all electric vehicle manufacturers maintain a worldwide collection of charging stations. You can locate a car dealer or maintenance facility that will quickly charge your electric car.

Certain companies provide charging stations that are intended expressly for usage in:

• Malls
• Public gathering hubs
• Offices
• Tourist attraction spots

Phoning a manufacturer's customer support hotline can acquire directions to a specific charging station. 

Using an App to Find Charging Stations

Several apps consist of extensive public charging stations databases on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. You can find directions to nearby charging stations by downloading an app.

Google Maps

You may also check for charging stations on Google Maps by entering a search term.
With the help of several map-related Google technologies and the Android auto service, your car's system can direct you to electric vehicle charging stations. 

What Characteristics Should an Electric Car Charging Station Have?

Keep the following in mind if you want to charge your electric vehicle at a nearby charging station:

Do You Have a Charging Cable That Works with it?

Due to many electric cars on the road, charging has become somewhat of a problem.

Even though the government is attempting to develop them, there are currently too many, including CSS, the conventional 16 Amp: M type electric connector used in vehicles, and D type plug for charging two-wheelers. Therefore, it's crucial to phone the station in advance to confirm plug compatibility.

Can You Leave Your Car Unattended for an Extended Period?

You will need to be in or close to your automobile during that period because charging it could take some time.

What happens, however, if you have to let your car charge over 5-6 hours? It is an excellent idea to inquire about the parking structure to see if you can leave your car charging while you're out to dine or take a stroll through the neighborhood. 

Are You Able to Get There?

Of course, this should be your top priority. Can you get to the charging station, given your battery's current state of charge? If your battery drops below 25% SoC, it is advised to begin seeking a charging station.

Can You Leave Your Vehicle Unmonitored? 

Because the charging procedure can take some time, you must be in or close to your vehicle throughout that period. But what will you do if it takes 5-6 hours to charge your car?

It is preferable to inquire about leaving your car to charge while you go out for a short time to purchase lunch or to take a stroll around the neighbourhood in the parking lot. 

What are the Costs and Methods of Payment?

While it is true that electric vehicle charging costs are considerably lower than those for conventional fuels, you should examine the cost of charging your vehicle and the forms of payment the station accepts.

Many stations may accept digital payments and are unattended.

Finally, it is a good idea to look into any additional services offered at the station, such as a vehicle wash, car insurance, food options, personal hygiene products, public Wi-Fi, etc. You can use all of these to maximize the time spent on charging.

Key Takeaways

Electric vehicles are still a recent trend in India's auto industry and offer several advantages. The three forms of electric vehicles include battery-powered electric cars and traditional hybrids, including hybrid electric vehicles (EVs). 

Not all electric vehicles will have to be mandatorily insured as some of them are not categorised as 'motor'. For instance, e-bikes having a speed below 25 kmph and power below 250W do not require mandatory bike insurance. However, having it does you no harm. Nowadays, getting bike insurance online or car insurance online is simple.

Comparing vehicle insurance companies, obtaining rates, calculating expenditures, and enhancing your current coverage all need only a few keystrokes. Numerous companies offer bike and car insurance online in India.