The Union Ministry of Power, on January 14, 2022, released the revised consolidated guidelines on charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Titled the Guidelines and Standards for Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (“the Guidelines”), the objective of the Guidelines is to ensure faster adoption of electric vehicles by ensuring safe and accessible infrastructure for electric vehicles charging infrastructure.

The Guidelines are exhaustive in nature and entail provisions for both individual owners of electric vehicles as well as for public charging stations (“PCS”). The Guidelines highlight infrastructure needs for public charging facilities as well as infrastructure for charging of long-range electric vehicles as well as heavy duty electric vehicles. In addition, the Guidelines provide that owners of electric vehicles may charge their vehicles at their offices/ residences, using their existing electricity connections.

As per the Guidelines, any individual/ entity may set up a PCS without having to comply with any license requirements if such stations meet the technical requirements and the performance standards as have been laid out in the Guidelines as well as all norms/ standards/ specifications laid down by the Ministry of Power, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (“BEE”) and the Central Electricity Authority (“CEA”) from time to time.

The Guidelines also include the exhaustive list of compliances required to be followed by the PCS, which include apt infrastructure in relation to the PCS civil, electricity and safety requirements. The BEE has been appointed as the Central Nodal Agency for the rollout of EV Public Charging Infrastructure.

Please find a copy of the Guidelines, here.

This update has been contributed by Aryan Mohindroo (Associate).

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