Private Entities Can Bid To Install EV Charging Stations On Govt Lands

The government has authorized government bodies to give property to private businesses or entities for establishing public charging stations (PCS) through bidding, with a baseline price of Re 1 per unit.

A revenue-sharing model has been implemented under the Union Power Ministry’s amended rules and standards for charging infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (EV), according to an official release. 

The release said that the land available from government agencies might be provided to PSUs on a revenue-sharing basis at a reduced charge of Re 1 per unit for the establishment of PCS, which is to be provided to the Land-Owning Agency on a quarterly basis.

The rate for PCS has also been limited so that it does not surpass the average cost of supply until March 2025. Previous rules set the charge for public EV charging stations at 15% of the average supply cost.

Further, the Centre has left it to state governments to set a cap on the Service Charges levied by such charging stations because certain state governments have implemented EV policies that provide incentives for the purchase of an EV as well as the installation of charging stations.

Parties may first enter into such a revenue-sharing arrangement for a duration of ten years. The Revenue Sharing Model may also be used by a public land-owning body to provide property to a private business for the construction of PCS on a bidding basis with a base price of Re 1/kWh, according to the statement.

The recommendations seek to minimize the country’s emission intensity by encouraging the complete EV ecosystem.

In accordance with the statement made, the proposed plans also contain options for EV owners, who can charge their electric automobiles at home or work utilizing their current electrical connections. The electricity consumption rates applicable for household usages will be extended to domestic charging as well.

“Any individual/entity is free to set up public charging stations without the requirement of a licence provided that such stations meet the technical, safety, and performance standards and protocols laid down under the guidelines as well as norms/standards/ specifications laid down by the Ministry of Power, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), and Central Electricity Authority (CEA) from time to time,” it added.

The recommendations have also been made technologically neutral by including worldwide charging standards as well as the new Indian charging requirements. They further provide that public charging stations or chains of charging stations may get power through open access from any generating business.

The government intends to build one charging station every three kilometres. All megacities and existing linking expressways are scheduled to be covered in the first phase.

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