KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The prices for fast charging have dropped from Rs 18 to Rs 11 per unit during solar hours.
- Charging during non-solar hours is priced at Rs 13 per unit.
- The Ministry of Power (MOP) wants to encourage people to adopt solar power for EV charging.
The Ministry of Power (MOP) has lowered the rates for fast charging to Rs 11 per unit during solar hours and Rs 13 during non-solar hours. Its important to note that earlier, this price was Rs 24, then it was revised to Rs 18, and now it is Rs 11. Additionally, these guidelines are not mandatory for private players in the EV fast charging business. Continue reading to better understand this latest news; in the meantime, make sure to join the 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.
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MOP Guidlines
The Ministry of Power (MOP) has essentially reduced the amount of tax collected from EV charging stations, resulting in a lower overall price. Additionally, this step is intended to promote the use of solar power for charging EVs instead of regular electricity. Furthermore, the new rates also apply to slow charging stations, with the rate for solar-based charging now at Rs 3 per unit and Rs 4 per unit for non-solar-based charging.
Also, these new taarif specifically mention, that "the cost of electricity at charging stations will not exceed the Average Cost of Supply until March 2028,", plus a step to motivate people to move towards solar energy. That's why they mentioned, during solar hours, which are from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
EV Trends
EV sales trends show that the total number of charging stations in India is far less compared to the sales that automakers are witnessing. Specifically, up until July 2024, 1,075,060 units of EVs have been sold, while it was noted in March that there were only 16,347 charging stations available.
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Verdict
The new revised prices for fast charging stations are great news for all EV owners and serve as a reality check for those who say maintaining an EV is as expensive as a regular ICE car. This step by the government will initiate a healthy discussion among people about whether to choose electric mobility or stick to traditional vehicles. Let's hope that more and more people will consider making the switch to EVs.
