Key Takeaways ✨
As India accelerates toward its electric mobility goals, the availability of fast, accessible, and affordable charging infrastructure is no longer optional — it’s critical. Recognizing this, the Ministry of Power (MoP) has released detailed Charging Infrastructure Guidelines to simplify the process of setting up EV charging stations and encourage widespread adoption.
If you’re a business owner, real estate developer, society resident, fleet operator, or even a petrol pump franchisee — these guidelines directly affect your ability to participate in India’s EV growth story.
This blog explains everything in clear terms — including how you can set up a charger, what benefits you’re entitled to, and how to apply for grid connections, approvals, and incentives in 2025.
What Are the EV Charging Guidelines by the Ministry of Power?
These guidelines were introduced to:
- Encourage public and private players to set up charging stations
- Remove regulatory bottlenecks
- Ensure affordable, accessible EV charging infrastructure
- Provide single-window approval systems
- Offer tariff clarity, especially for commercial and public charging use
These MoP guidelines serve as the national framework under which state electricity boards (DISCOMs), local municipalities, and urban planners operate.
Key Highlights of the MoP Charging Infrastructure Guidelines (2023–2025)
Let’s decode each major provision in simple terms.
1. No License Required for Setting Up Public Charging Stations
If you want to set up a public EV charging station, you do not need a power distribution license.
Under the Electricity Act, 2003 — any individual, company, or partnership can set up a public charging station without needing approval from the electricity regulator.
This means:
- No license
- No long delays
- Faster rollout
All you need is:
- Land or space (owned or rented)
- Connection to the electricity grid
- Charger installation (Bharat/DC001, CCS2, CHAdeMO, etc.)
2. Timeline for DISCOM Connections
DISCOMs are now legally required to provide a new power connection for EV charging stations within a fixed time frame.
- Urban Areas: 7 days
- Municipal Zones/Urban Extensions: 15 days
- Rural Areas: 30 days
This clause is binding, and non-compliance can be escalated to the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC).
3. Single Window Clearance System
All states and union territories must implement a Single-Window Online Portal for:
- Registering as a public charging station
- Applying for electricity connection
- Accessing grid upgrade plans
- Viewing approved locations or sanctioned loads
This portal will be operated by DISCOMs and synchronized with municipal building permissions.
Examples:
- Delhi: https://delhi.gov.in
- Maharashtra: https://maitri.mahaonline.gov.in
4. Time-of-Day (ToD) Tariffs
Charging stations are allowed to purchase electricity at off-peak rates, making charging cheaper during night hours.
- Peak (6 PM to 10 PM): Higher rate
- Off-Peak (10 PM to 6 AM): Up to 30% lower rate
This encourages load balancing and helps save costs for charging station operators.
Pro Tip: You can pass on these savings to customers via night-time charging discounts.
5. Public Charging Station Planning Guidelines
As per MoP recommendations:
- One charging station every 3 km in cities
- One fast charger every 25 km on highways
- One EV charging hub every 100 km for heavy-duty vehicles
These are advisory goals, but states are aligning their EV masterplans accordingly.
6. Support for Residential and Commercial Buildings
EV-ready infrastructure must now be part of building bye-laws. The MoP guidelines encourage:
- Housing societies to reserve 20% parking spaces for EV charging
- Malls, offices, and parking lots to offer dedicated EV charging bays
- DISCOMs to offer domestic tariffs for private residential chargers
This means your society or office can set up an EV charger using the same electricity rate as your home.
7. Support for Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
The government encourages PPP models in charging infrastructure. If you’re a private investor or startup:
- You can lease government land for charging stations
- Operate under a revenue-sharing agreement with municipal bodies
- Submit proposals through state-level EV agencies
8. Interconnection and Grid Upgrade Support
If a charging station requires a transformer upgrade or new substation, DISCOMs are required to:
- Inform the applicant
- Provide time-bound estimates
- Enable shared infra where multiple operators use the same grid
Cost-sharing models will be based on actual usage over time.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up an EV Charging Station in 2025
Let’s now look at the actual process.
Step 1: Choose Your Charging Business Model
You can operate in one of the following ways:
- Public Charging Station (PCS): Open to all users. Must comply with MoP guidelines.
- Captive Charging: For your own EV fleet (no commercial use).
- Residential/Community Charging: For gated societies and housing colonies.
Step 2: Identify the Location
Ideal locations include:
- Parking lots of malls and multiplexes
- Housing society common areas
- Commercial real estate, fuel stations
- Urban transport hubs
- Highways or expressways
Tip: The MoP allows setting up PCS even on leased or rented land.
Step 3: Apply for Electricity Connection
Visit your local DISCOM’s Single-Window Portal. Submit:
- Ownership or lease documents of land
- Load estimate (depends on charger type)
- Layout plan
- Safety certification of chargers (BIS, ARAI)
Time to connect:
- 7 days (urban)
- 15 days (semi-urban)
- 30 days (rural)
Step 4: Choose the Charger Type
Comply with government-approved protocols:
| Vehicle Type | Recommended Charger | Power Output |
|---|---|---|
| 2W/3W | Bharat AC-001 | 3.3–5 kW |
| 4W Personal | Type 2 AC/CCS-2 | 7–22 kW |
| Fleet Cars | DC001, CCS2 | 15–50 kW |
| Buses | GB/T or CCS2 | 50–150 kW |
Step 5: Install and Certify
- Procure from certified charger manufacturers
- Install via trained technicians
- Submit safety compliance reports to DISCOM and local fire authority
Step 6: Go Live and Register Your PCS
Register your station with the State Nodal Agency or EV Cell.
In Delhi, this would be:
- Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC)
- https://ev.delhi.gov.in
You may also need to list your location on apps like e-Amrit, ReChargeIndia, or your operator’s app.
Incentives Available for Charging Station Operators
Here’s how you can benefit.
Central Level
- Accelerated Depreciation under Income Tax Act (40% on EV infra)
- GST at 5% on EV charger sales
- Import duty exemptions (for certain components)
- Integration into FAME II for public chargers
State Level (Examples)
| State | Charging Station Incentive |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | ₹10 lakh per public charger station |
| Delhi | ₹6,000 per home charger (AC 3.3 kW) |
| Gujarat | 25% CapEx subsidy for infra installation |
| Tamil Nadu | Land lease support in SIPCOT parks |
| Telangana | Capital subsidy via TSREDCO |
| Karnataka | Stamp duty waiver + power subsidy |
Business Opportunities in EV Charging
This is a booming sector in 2025. You can:
- Start a charging station franchise
- Develop EV charging mobile apps
- Set up battery diagnostics and servicing
- Sell value-added products like WiFi, food, or advertising at your station
- Lease space to third-party operators
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
| Challenge | Solution |
|---|---|
| Land availability | Partner with petrol pumps, malls, or ULBs |
| Grid load limitations | Use load management and battery buffering systems |
| Low footfall at launch | Target delivery fleets, autos, or captive users first |
| Approval delays | Use the Single Window Portal or escalate to state agency |
| High CapEx | Apply for central + state subsidies |
Future Roadmap Under MoP Guidelines
- Unified app ecosystem for charger discovery and payments
- Battery-integrated charging stations for grid load balancing
- Solar + EV chargers in parking lots
- Integration with smart cities for EV zoning and demand forecasting
- EV charging mandatory in all new commercial buildings
Final Thoughts
The Ministry of Power’s EV Charging Infrastructure Guidelines have unlocked a powerful opportunity for India to scale its EV infrastructure quickly and efficiently. With the right mix of policy, private investment, and digital services, India could soon have one of the most inclusive and scalable charging networks in the world.
If you’re a business owner, startup, investor, fleet operator, or housing society — the time to get involved is now.
Understand your local DISCOM’s process, apply through the right channels, and build your charging ecosystem brick by brick — or charger by charger.
