Electric transition: India's EV push faces grid and charging hurdles

India's electric vehicle market is growing. Sales of electric two- and three-wheelers have climbed steadily over the past two years. But the transition to electric mobility is running into hard realities on the ground.

The power grid in many parts of the country is already strained. Adding millions of electric vehicles will increase demand. In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, local distribution networks are often overloaded during peak hours. Charging a large number of EVs at once could lead to outages or voltage fluctuations.

Charging infrastructure remains sparse. India has around 5,000 public charging stations, according to government data. That's far short of what's needed. Most are concentrated in a few urban centres. Highways and smaller towns have very few. For a driver on a long trip, finding a working charger can be a gamble.

The government has set ambitious targets. It wants electric vehicles to make up 30% of new sales by 2030. To get there, it's offering subsidies and tax breaks. But the gap between policy goals and ground reality is wide.

Battery costs are another issue. Lithium-ion batteries are expensive, and India imports most of its cells from China. Local manufacturing is picking up, but it's still small. Without cheaper batteries, EVs will stay out of reach for many buyers.

Grid upgrades are needed. State utilities must invest in transformers, cables, and smart meters. That takes time and money. Some states are piloting time-of-use tariffs to encourage off-peak charging. But these are early days.

Charging companies say land and power connections are big hurdles. Setting up a station requires multiple approvals. In many cases, the local discom takes months to provide a connection. That slows down expansion.

Despite these challenges, the shift to electric is happening. Electric three-wheelers are already common in some cities. Electric buses are being rolled out in several states. The direction is clear, even if the road is bumpy.

Experts say the focus should be on building a solid charging network and strengthening the grid. Without that, the electric transition will stall. For now, it's a work in progress.