Govt to adopt liberal norms for electric vehicle charging stations

The Centre is likely to put in place liberal norms for setting up charging stations to power electric vehicles.

While the NDA government plans to have an all-electric fleet on the country's roads by 2030, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission is working on setting up norms for charging stations.

According to the proposal, those setting up charging stations for private use need not get licences from the regulatory authorities. But commercial charging stations may be required to obtain permission.

"Adopting liberal norms for charging stations is very much required to fuel growth in the sector. Besides, this will also help to reduce the cost of electric vehicles as more people use it," said an official from the transport ministry.

Under the Electricity Act, 2003, a distribution licence is required to distribute power from the respective state electricity regulatory commissions (SERCs). To accelerate growth in the sector, the government may bring in an amendment to the act to enable a more liberal system on setting up charging stations, the official said.

The automotive industry, too, had earlier urged the government to clear all doubts regarding the charging stations.

The NDA government, which is pushing for the use of electric vehicles to reduce the dependence on oil import, has already placed an order to procure 10,000 electric vehicles. The first set of electric sedans will arrive by November 15 and will be used by the officials of the ministries of power, coal, and new and renewable energy, replacing their existing vehicles. The government has already invited bids from firms to provide electric vehicle chargers.

Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier said though the government plans to have full electric mobility by 2030, it may be achieved before that. He also said the automobile industry, which is pegged at Rs 4.5 lakh crore at present, would grow to Rs 20 lakh crore, and would help in creating more job opportunities.