In India, the primary challenge for Electric Vehicle (EV) integration lies in the scarcity of charging stations. Coupled with this, the expenses related to various types of charging points pose a hurdle for budding businesses aiming to establish EV charging stations or procure charging setups in the country.

As of March 2021, India boasts approximately 1,800 charging stations, predominantly concentrated in metropolitan areas.

This article delves into the varieties of EV chargers available in India and explores the associated costs for charging your electric vehicle's battery.

What are the Types of EV Charger

There are 3 types of EV charger

  • Level 1:   Portebal Charger
  • Level 2:   AC charger or DC charger
  • Level 3:   Fast DC CC2 charger

Level 1 Portable Charger

The portable charger functions with a standard 220V power supply and is suitable for home use. Its power output typically ranges between 1.56 to 3 kW. Utilizing this charger, an electric car can be fully charged within a time frame of 16 to 30 hours.

One key advantage of the portable charger is its compatibility without requiring any additional hardware. However, due to its lower output capacity, it charges the battery at a slower rate.

Level 2 AC Charger or DC Charger 
The battery charging process offers two primary options: AC and DC charging. The AC charger boasts a maximum output capacity of 22 kW and employs a Type 2 plug for its operation. Additionally, the DC charging option is available within Level 2, utilizing a DC 001 charger with a maximum output capacity ranging from 20 kW to 150 kW.

Level 3 fast DC CC2 charger 

The Fast DC CC2 charger boasts a power output of 30 kW or higher and supports multiple charging standards. Typically utilizing CCS2, it incorporates a liquid cooling system that minimizes energy loss, thereby enabling it to handle up to 500 kW of power.

Pricing for Charging Electric Vehicles

Currently, the company does it with 4 different pricing models.
Pricing models for electric vehicle charging vary, encompassing different structures:

1. Time-based pricing: Charging fees range from 14 to 18 rupees per minute, accounting for the duration of the charging session.

2. kWh or unit-based pricing: Charging costs fluctuate between Rs 13 to Rs 20 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Certain charging stations apply a fixed starting fee of Rs 15 to Rs 17, in addition to the kWh cost.

3. Subscription-based pricing: Companies offer charging plans based on subscriptions and charging preferences tailored to the electric vehicle's usage.