The guidelines released recently by the power ministry for setting up charging infrastructure will go a long way in allaying the apprehensions of existing and prospective manufacturers of electric vehicles in India. The guidelines can be considered the first major step taken by India to push electric mobility but leave a lot of unanswered questions. However, let’s take a look at the positives first. The decision to allow private charging stations to be set up at residences and offices will surely encourage potential buyers of electric vehicles. Also, that an individual setting up a station will not require a licence and power distribution companies will set up a connection on a priority basis are welcome steps. The fact that most of the charging stations in the first stage will be established in mega cities such as Delhi and Mumbai is also indicative of the government’s resolve to reduce vehicular pollution in leading urban centres. Most of the these cities have recorded alarming levels of pollution in the last few years and the lack of charging infrastructure has been the major roadblock for would-be buyers of electric vehicles.
