NITI Aayog on August 12, 2021 released a handbook to guide state governments and local bodies to frame policies and norms towards setting up charging networks for electric vehicles (EV).
- The objective is to enhance charging infrastructure and facilitate a rapid transition to electric mobility in the country.
- The Handbook for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Implementation has been jointly developed by NITI Aayog, Ministry of Power (MoP), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), and World Resources Institute (WRI) India.
- The Handbook provides a systematic and a holistic approach for adoptions by implementing authorities and other stakeholders involved in planning, authorisation and execution of EV charging infrastructure.
- EV charging is a new type of power demand for discoms, which play a pivotal role in providing seamless power supply connections for charging facilities and ensuring that the electrical distribution network has the requisite capacity to serve this demand.
- Unlike fossil fuel-powered vehicles, electric vehicles can be charged at any location, provided charging points are available.
- While the Ministry of Power has set a national target of having at least one charging station for every 3*3 grid, or at every 25km on a highway, setting granular targets and plans are up to urban local bodies or state nodal agencies.
