By Jagadish M., Chief Technology Officer, Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies (ARACT)
The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is gaining momentum worldwide, and India is no exception. With ambitious goals set by the government and growing consumer interest in sustainable mobility solutions, the future of EVs in India appears promising. In 2023, about 22.6 million vehicles were sold and EVs accounted for 6.3 per cent of the total sales. With over 1.53 million EVs sold in Financial Year (FY) 23, the EVs sales clocked a 50 per cent year-on-year jump.
The government has set an ambitious goal of EV30@2030 which is 30 per cent of newly registered private cars, 40 per cent of buses, 70 per cent of commercial cars, and 80 per cent of 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers will be electric by 2030. Along with the Indian government’s push for sustainable mobility, growing consumer demand for new technologies, and many EV companies emerging in the recent times is making the future of EV very promising.
However, the path to widespread adoption faces significant hurdles, particularly in the development of robust EV charging infrastructure. A good network of charging stations forms the backbone of the electric mobility industry.
India has over 11,000 charging stations mostly concentrated in major metros. Mahendra Nath Pandey, India’s minister of Heavy Industries, had said that the country’s nine biggest cities, need at least 18,000 public charging stations by 2030, while the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimates a minimum of 1.3 million stations by the end of the decade.
Convenient and sustainable charging infrastructure
The need for a convenient and sustainable charging infrastructure is one of the major challenges grappling the EV industry. More than 80 per cent of the country’s electric car users charge their vehicles at home or at work, according to a 2021 assessment by Statiq, an India-based EV charging startup. However, this is a challenge for a country that grapples with parking places in major cities. To address this, there is a need for multiple stakeholders to work together to set up multiple charging stations in convenient locations with compatible chargers.
Although 80 per cent of EVs sold in 2023 were either two or three-wheelers, not all have the same configuration of chargers. Light EVs, like two and three-wheelers, being made in India have different charging options which makes compatibility and inter-operability a major hurdle. There is a need to figure out a user friendly and no hassle charging solutions for the light electric mobility solutions. While on the 4-wheeler side, there is interoperability which means any public charging station can be used by a 4-wheeler, but when it comes to 2-wheelers that interoperability is not there. Appropriate solutions are required for the light electric mobility, whether it is individually driven 2-wheelers or last mile delivery fleets or passenger autos or goods transportation autos – there is a need for a robust charging solution.
Companies like Amara Raja are specifically looking at this segment with a lot more interest at this stage even as the bulk of the attention is on the passenger vehicles. The company is working on making charging solutions and batteries that are suited for India conditions.
Apart from charging stations, Charger Management Software (CMS), payment mechanisms, discovery applications and other backend support is required to ensure reliable access to charging stations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models are used in charging solutions, making them greener, and smart. These technologies optimise charging patterns, manage energy demands, and enable intelligent grid integration. Solutions that offer AI-driven platform for managing EV charging networks, for example, can help optimise charging processes, predicts demand patterns that can be integrated with energy management systems, thereby empowering EV vehicles with smart, data driven insights.
Urban-rural divide
Many of the metros have quite accessible charging infrastructure, but the problem will come when one is trying to travel out of city or out of town. There is also the issue of uneven distribution favouring urban areas over rural regions. Rural areas lack adequate access to charging infrastructure thus inhibiting EV adoption in these regions. To ensure equitable access, innovative solutions such as smart charging technologies with dynamic load management are crucial, optimising schedules and reducing peak demand on the grid.
Range anxiety
While advancements in fast charging technology holds promise, addressing range anxiety requires a comprehensive strategy. This involves not only enhancing battery capacity and density but also establishing a robust network of strategically placed fast-charging stations. Range anxiety, a significant psychological barrier in a diverse country like India, must be overcome to drive widespread EV adoption. Government initiatives in battery technology research and public-private partnerships hold immense potential for improving range and charging speeds. Investment in research and development, particularly in innovative technologies like lithium-ion battery, can alleviate range anxiety and potentially reduce battery costs. Added to this, the improvement in the public charging infrastructure will also help reduce the range anxiety.
High-cost infrastructure
Another big challenge is the capital-intensive nature of charging infrastructure. Companies looking to set up these charging stations must meet requirements like proper placement location, land, power consumption, grid power stability, multiple chargers, cables, and other components are added expenses. To address this issue, the government is looking at collaborating with private players to set up the infrastructure as and when required. There is also a need for more partnerships and collaborations to improve the infrastructure among automakers and charging station providers.
Grid capacity
The rapid expansion of EV charging infrastructure poses challenges to the power grid. High demand for electricity, especially during peak hours, can strain the grid, leading to instability and blackouts. Smart technologies can aid in optimising charging schedules and managing grid demand, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of EV charging infrastructure.
Additionally, the integration of renewable energy sources into the charging infrastructure can further enhance the sustainability of EVs. For instance, solar-powered charging stations can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, making the charging process as green as the vehicles it powers.
To overcome these challenges, it is imperative that the industry and the government works in tandem with each other. While there are several players emerging in this space, there is a need to provide more incentives in terms of tax breaks and subsidies to encourage investments in the charging infrastructure. The FAME I and II schemes have played an active role in expanding the EV charging infrastructure even as private players are playing an equal role in the development of the ecosystem.
Going forward, there are two major things that the policymakers can look at – development of fast-charging stations not only in major metro cities but also on highways and rural areas to improve the adoption, and secondly look at policies and regulations to improve home charging stations as most EV owners prefer to charge at home.
