NITI Aayog Releases Handbook to Guide EV Charging Infrastructure in India

What is the News?

NITI Aayog has released a report titled “The Handbook for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Implementation”.

 Prepared by: NITI Aayog, Ministry of Power (MoP), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), and World Resources Institute (WRI) India.

Objective:

1. To guide state governments and local bodies to frame policies and norms towards setting up charging networks for electric vehicles (EV). 
2. To enhance charging infrastructure and facilitate a rapid transition to electric mobility in the country.

Key Findings of the report:

Electric Vehicles Charging Station:

1. Electric Vehicles(EV) Charging is a piece of equipment that supplies electrical power for charging plug-in electric vehicles.
2. The Central Nodal Agency for the establishment of Charging Infrastructure for EVs in India is the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

The target for Electric Vehicles(EV) Charging:

1. Ministry of Power(MoP) has set a national target of having at least one charging station for every 3*3 grid, or for every 25 km on a highway.

Approach towards Electric Vehicles Charging:

1. Discoms to play a pivotal role: EV charging is a new type of power demand for discoms. Hence,discoms will play a pivotal role in providing a seamless power supply for charging facilities.
2. Planning of EV charging networks requires a distinct approach: Electric vehicles can be charged at any location, provided charging points are available. But this requires a distinct approach. Local authorities need to set targets for the required scale of public charging infrastructure and ensure that it is covered in planning processes.