India Halves EV Charger Benchmark Costs, Prioritizes Fast Charging Infrastructure
In a significant move to accelerate electric vehicle adoption across the country, the Indian government has more than halved the benchmark prices for public electric vehicle chargers while simultaneously enhancing their charging capacities. This strategic revision aims to expand green mobility infrastructure and enable longer driving ranges for EV users nationwide.
Substantial Cost Reduction Across Charger Categories
The Ministry of Heavy Industries, in consultation with the Ministry of Power, has implemented these revised benchmarks for EV Supply Equipment (EVSE), marking a substantial departure from the 2022 pricing standards. The cost reduction is particularly striking when comparing specific charger models.
Previously, a 50-kilowatt charger carried a benchmark price of ₹7.28 lakh, while the new benchmark for a more powerful 60kW charger stands at just ₹3.4 lakh. Similarly, the 2022 benchmark for a 100kW charger was ₹11.28 lakh, which has been replaced by a new benchmark of ₹5 lakh for a 120kW charger.
Expanded Charger Categories and Policy Implications
Unlike the 2022 benchmarks that covered only 50kW and 100kW chargers, the new pricing structure encompasses a broader range of charging capacities including 12kW, 60kW, 120kW, 240kW, and 360kW chargers. This expansion reflects the government's recognition of diverse charging needs across different vehicle segments and usage patterns.
The government utilizes these benchmark costs as the foundation for subsidy disbursement under various schemes, with subsidies in some cases covering the entire cost of charger installation. This sharp reduction in benchmark pricing is expected to lower overall subsidy claims, thereby easing the fiscal burden on government resources while potentially accelerating the pace of charger deployment across the country.
Industry Perspectives on Market Maturity
Industry experts view this development as indicative of India's maturing EV ecosystem. "The revision in the government's benchmark costs reflects the growing scale and maturity of India's EV charging market," observed Amit Bhatt, India Managing Director of the International Council for Clean Transportation (ICCT).
"As deployments move from pilots to large, programmatic roll-outs under schemes like PM E-Drive, economies of scale, standardization, and increased competition are bringing down charger hardware costs," Bhatt added, highlighting the structural changes occurring within the industry.
Subsidy Framework and Implementation Challenges
The subsidies for EV charging infrastructure are disbursed from the ₹2,000 crore allocation under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-Drive) scheme. Nearly one-fifth of the ₹10,900-crore PM E-Drive initiative has been specifically earmarked to add substantial charging infrastructure: 22,100 charging points for electric cars, 48,400 for two- and three-wheelers, and 1,800 for electric trucks and buses.
However, as of late January, the government had not disbursed any subsidies from this allocated amount for setting up public charging stations. The scheme's guidelines provide subsidies across four categories of charging locations with varying coverage percentages for upstream infrastructure and EVSE costs.
Industry Concerns and Market Realities
While the government's new benchmark prices suggest dramatic cost reductions, industry participants offer more nuanced perspectives. "EVSE prices have not reached the levels stated in the government's benchmark prices because some parts are still imported, attracting duties and raising costs," explained Manasvi Sharma, CEO of EVSE manufacturer Everta.
Charge Point Operators (CPOs), including major players like Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum, and private entities like Reliance BP Mobility, have expressed concerns about the implications of reduced benchmark costs on their subsidy claims. "Benchmarking EVSE prices will only lead to CPOs paying more and not being able to claim subsidies for the full acquisition cost," noted Abhijeet Sinha, President of the Charge Point Operators Society of India.
Focus on Fast Chargers and Quality Considerations
The policy shift comes at a time when most of India's public chargers are not fast chargers, primarily due to high costs and limited access to power grid infrastructure. The International Energy Agency's Global EV Outlook 2025 emphasizes that fast chargers deliver significantly more energy per day than slow chargers, enabling them to serve more vehicles and support long-distance mobility.
Industry representatives advocate for a quality-focused approach rather than purely cost-based procurement. "What India needs is EV chargers which have a high uptime, and that is only possible when the quality of this asset is maintained," Sinha emphasized, suggesting that the government should consider subsidies based on charger power types rather than benchmarking costs alone.
Localization Challenges and Future Prospects
The localization of EV charger manufacturing in India presents mixed progress. While significant localization is achievable for AC and lower-power DC chargers, high-power fast chargers continue to face substantial challenges due to reliance on imported power modules and semiconductors.
"Stable public procurement under schemes like PM E-Drive can help deepen domestic manufacturing," suggested Bhatt of ICCT, pointing toward potential pathways for strengthening India's EV charger manufacturing ecosystem.
With electric vehicles accounting for approximately 60% of three-wheeler sales, 6% of two-wheeler sales, and about 4.8% of car sales in 2025, companies are increasingly betting on India's public EV charging market. The country currently hosts about 29,200 electric vehicle public charging stations, with EV adoption rising from approximately 4.7% in calendar year 2022 to 8% in CY2025, indicating accelerating momentum in the transition toward electric mobility.
