India’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by emerging technologies that promise faster, smarter and cleaner solutions. From ultra-fast DC chargers to wireless and in-road charging innovations, the sector is embracing global trends while adapting to local needs. Further, smart and artificial intelligence (AI)-based charging systems are optimising grid loads and cutting costs, while solar-powered stations are reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Pilot projects in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration are exploring bidirectional energy flows, and battery swapping networks are expanding to serve two- and three-wheelers. Together, these advancements are shaping a resilient, future-ready EV ecosystem.
Renewable Watch explores the emerging technologies in the EV charging infrastructure space…
Ultra-fast DC charging
Ultra-fast DC charging or high-power charging refers to charging systems that operate at 150-350 kW for cars (compared to 50 kW for fast chargers) and at 500 kW-1 MW for heavy-duty vehicles like buses and trucks. They can deliver a 300 km range in 10–15 minutes. While such chargers already hold a significant market share in the US and Europe, their presence in India remains limited. Out of the total available public charging stations in India, only a few are DC fast chargers (50 kW+), with 150-200 kW chargers found only at select locations in major urban centres such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
India is gradually ramping up its ultra-fast DC charging infrastructure. Kia made a notable start by installing a 150 kW DC fast charger at its Dhingra dealership in Gurugram, with plans to roll out more such units across different Indian cities. Hyundai Motor India has also installed ultra-fast charging stations across major cities, such as Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Gurugram and Bengaluru, and key highways such as Delhi-Chandigarh and Hyderabad-Vijayawada. Further, Audi has set up a 450 kW charger in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, while Kia has a 240 kW station in Kochi, and Exicom offers 200 kW models suitable even for electric buses. Beyond original equipment manufacturer-led stations, several charge point operators have also deployed 150 kW DC fast chargers across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Despite these efforts, the Indian EV market continues to be dominated by two- and three-wheelers, and these segments prefer battery swapping stations over fast charging due to cost efficiency and operational convenience.
Wireless charging
Wireless charging uses electromagnetic fields to transfer energy between a charging pad on the ground and a receiver on the vehicle. While wireless EV charging has yet to become a common sight on Indian roads, early initiatives signal strong potential for future adoption. In April 2025, as per information released by the Press Information Bureau; the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, Thiruvananthapuram; and the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, developed an indigenous EV wireless charger designed to operate on a 230 V, 50 Hz AC single-phase supply. It can charge a 4.8 kWh onboard battery pack at 48 V using 30 amperes in three hours, charging almost 90 per cent of the battery. The charger also includes advanced safety features such as short-circuit and open-circuit protection as well as silicon carbide-based metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors operating at 88 kHz. To enhance the commercial viability of this innovation, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology announced the transfer of technology for the indigenous 1.5 kW wireless charger to M/s Global Business Solution Private Limited.
Simactricals, a start-up incubated at IIT Kanpur, has developed a wireless charging system suitable for two- and three-wheelers, passenger vehicles, warehouse bots, rovers and drones. Its first prototype was originally for charging the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s drones; however, Simactricals is currently working on several proofs of concept with EV manufacturers. These early steps indicate a growing focus on scaling up wireless EV charging infrastructure in India.
In-road charging
In-road charging can be recognised as an extension of wireless charging. It uses embedded coils or conductors in the road surface to wirelessly transfer power to EVs through magnetic induction or conduction. Globally, this technology is being tested, but mature deployments are yet to be seen.
This technology remains largely unexplored in India as well. However, the Kerala State Electricity Board is planning India’s first wireless EV charging road. An induction-based system may be embedded along key roads or highways in a bid to reduce reliance on charging stations.
Smart and AI-based charging
Smart and AI-based charging is another emerging technology in the EV charging space. As more EVs hit the road, managing their collective demand on the electricity grid becomes crucial. Smart chargers will be able to identify the optimal times to charge based on electricity availability and cost. This helps reduce strain on the grid and allows users to benefit from lower tariffs during off-peak hours.
The EV charging ecosystem is seeing a growing integration of AI across network platforms. Mobile apps and back-end systems now offer real-time station availability, remote reservation, digital payments, load balancing and predictive maintenance features. In May 2025, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited was selected as the nodal agency for developing a unified digital super app to serve as a single platform for EV users. The app will feature real-time slot booking, payment integration, charger availability status and progress dashboards for tracking national deployment under the PM E-Drive scheme.
India’s smart EV charging ecosystem is evolving through both utility-led pilots and private sector innovations. In Delhi, eDRV managed charging project with BSES Yamuna and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water used smart plugs for e-rickshaw and fleet charging, cutting peak demand and reducing user costs by up to 13 per cent. Jio’s Smart EV Charging Platform combines hardware, connectivity and intelligent scheduling to enable efficient charging for commercial and residential use.
Solar-powered EV charging
The rapid adoption of EVs is transforming the transportation sector, but their environmental benefits depend largely on the source of the electricity used for charging. Relying on grid power dominated by fossil fuels can undermine the emissions advantage of EVs. Solar-powered EV charging infrastructure offers a clean and decentralised solution, reducing carbon footprints while easing the load on conventional power grids.
India is witnessing a steady rise in solar-powered EV charging solutions, ranging from grid-connected to fully off-grid models. Notable examples include Magenta Power’s solar DC fast charger in Navi Mumbai, Servotech’s solar carport at Delhi’s Hauz Khas and MG Motor’s off-grid station at IIT Delhi using repurposed EV batteries. Bengaluru’s RE2EV hub integrates rooftop solar with second-life storage to charge multiple vehicles simultaneously, while Uttar Pradesh’s first solar EV charging station in Banthra supports the state’s ambitious solar goals. Jaipur’s ChargeUp solar-powered battery swapping station and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited’s plans for solar-equipped chargers in Pune are other key examples. Further, the Chandigarh administration has announced plans to power EV charging stations using solar energy. This initiative, being launched as a pilot project, will integrate solar power with EV infrastructure at four public charging locations across the city.
V2G
V2G allows EVs and the electricity grid to have a two-way flow of electricity. The electricity from EV batteries can be discharged and sent to the grid when it is needed most, turning parked vehicles into mobile energy storage units. Globally, V2G has moved from concept to active pilots in Australia, China and parts of Europe. France offers commercial V2G solutions for EV owners supported by stable regulation and national roll-out of bidirectional charging since late 2024. In the Netherlands, cities such as Amsterdam have longstanding V2G pilots. It is recognised for its advanced citywide smart grid integration with V2G-capable vehicles, making the country a pioneer in practical V2G deployments and regulatory support. Companies such as Nissan are working on releasing V2G-compatible models and commercial V2G charger hardware. Ford is planning to commercialise V2G with their F-150 Lightning electric pick-up truck and Hyundai with their IONIQ 5 model.
In India, this technology has only been tested in the pilot stage. In Kerala, the Kerala State Electricity Board and IIT Bombay are running a large-scale pilot to store excess solar power in EV batteries during the day and feed it back during peak demand. In Delhi, Tata Power-DDL and the India Smart Grid Forum are demonstrating bidirectional charging to provide grid services such as voltage support and backup power. Meanwhile, IIT Bombay is conducting controlled field trials within its Grid Integration Lab, exploring V2G alongside related concepts such as vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-vehicle energy sharing to understand technical, economic and operational challenges. Together, these projects aim to assess the feasibility, benefits and scaling potential of V2G in India’s evolving clean energy ecosystem.
Battery swapping
Battery swapping technology is making inroads, particularly for electric two- and three-wheelers; however, solutions are emerging for larger vehicles as well. This model allows a discharged battery to be replaced with a fully charged one in minutes, significantly reducing downtime. It also alleviates range anxiety and lowers upfront vehicle costs by separating battery ownership from the EV itself. Key players in this segment currently include Battery Smart, SUN Mobility, RACEnergy, Lithion Power, ChargeUp, Battery Pool, Yuma Energy, Amara Raja Power Systems and Ola Electric.
Conclusion
Net, net, India’s EV charging landscape is slowly diversifying, with innovations spanning ultra-fast DC charging, wireless and in-road charging, smart and AI-enabled systems, solar-powered solutions, V2G integration and battery swapping. While high-power charging remains limited to select urban hubs, solar-based and swapping models are expanding swiftly, especially for two- and three-wheelers. Emerging pilots in V2G and wireless charging highlight the sector’s intent to embrace next-generation technologies. Going forward, it will be key to ensure that pilot projects across these technologies move to large-scale commercial projects to scale infrastructure even in Tier II and III cities and rural areas, optimise grid integration, and enable clean, reliable and future-ready charging networks that complement India’s broader renewable energy and e-mobility ambitions.
