Electric chargers refer to the infrastructure that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to recharge their batteries. These chargers can be installed in public places like shopping malls, parking lots, and fuel stations, or at private locations like homes and offices.
In India, electric vehicle charging infrastructure is still developing, but there are several types of electric chargers available, including:
Level 1 charger: This is a basic charger that can be plugged into a standard 120-volt electrical outlet. It is suitable for charging electric bikes and scooters.
Level 2 charger: This charger requires a 240-volt electrical outlet and can charge EVs faster than a Level 1 charger.
DC fast charger: This is the fastest type of charger available, and it can charge an EV battery up to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. DC fast chargers are typically found at public charging stations.
There are several companies in India that are involved in the installation and operation of electric chargers, including Tata Power, Ather Energy, Delta Electronics, etc.
The government of India has also launched several initiatives to promote electric vehicles and develop the charging infrastructure, including the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme.Â
Companies in India that provide electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and some of the largest ones are:
Tata Power: Tata Power is India’s largest integrated power corporation with a 10,577 MW installed capacity for electricity generation. It provides backend power infrastructure, EV charging solutions, and also does charger installation for small EV manufacturers.
Tata Motors has set up 300 fast-charging stations across different cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Delhi, and Hyderabad. They offer both AC and DC fast charging options, and their charging stations are compatible with most electric cars and two-wheelers.
Delta Electronics India Pvt Ltd: The Delta Group, is a division of a pioneer company created in 1971 and has its global headquarters in Taiwan. It has been active in India since 2003 as a member of Delta Group, Delta Electronics India Private Limited is well-known for its power and energy management business. Power electronics, automation, and infrastructure are the three business sectors to which Delta Electronics India is actively contributing. The company aims to offer breakthrough, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient solutions for a brighter and more sustainable future. They offer a range of EV charging solutions including AC chargers, DC fast chargers, and multi-standard chargers. The company is partnered with MG Motors and EV Motors to enable the EV charging wave in the Mumbai Region. On the other hand, CPO and Charge+Zone facilitate Ahmedabad Municipal Transport by providing 150kW DC fast charging. Delta has supplied 7000 plus chargers in India to date and has delivered over 1 million chargers globally.
Ather Energy: Ather Energy is a Bangalore-based company that specialises in electric two-wheelers. They have their own network of fast-charging stations called Ather Grid, which is rapidly expanding across major Indian cities. Ather Energy has installed over 550 fast-charging grids across 56 cities in India and has become one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers. The company also has plans to install additional 820 grids to bring its total up to 1400 grids by the end of FY 2023.
Magenta Power: Magenta Power is another prominent EV charging station provider in India, with a focus on DC fast-charging technology. They have a presence in over 25 cities and offer a range of charging solutions for homes, offices, and public spaces.
Fortum India: Fortum India is a subsidiary of Fortum Corporation, a Finnish energy company. They operate a charging network under the umbrella name of Fortum Charge & Drive India. To provide a better customer experience, they have launched a mobile application which offers an outstanding end-user experience. They provide EV charging infrastructure in collaboration with various partners and have a network of over 150 charging stations across India.