State-Run Oil Giants Power 95% of India's 17,900 EV Charging Stations

CIOTechOutlook Team | Wednesday, 13 November 2024, 04:56 IST

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As per data from the oil ministry, Approximately 17,900 gas stations offer EV charging facilities, with state-owned oil companies making up 95% of this total. Two years earlier, merely 4,100 pumps provided EV charging. Indian Oil Corp is the frontrunner, offering EV facilities at 10,057 fueling stations. Hindustan Petroleum has 3,705 pumps equipped with chargers, while Bharat Petroleum operates 3,146.

Usage continues to be very minimal since charging stations have failed to solve key issues faced by EV owners, stated an oil company official involved in establishing charging infrastructure at gas stations.

"Most EVs are getting charged at home with slow chargers. It doesn't make sense for people to drive to pumps to use slow chargers and return to collect their cars hours later," he said, adding that the current demand is mostly for top-up charges by fast chargers, which take about 45 minutes to charge 80% of a car battery compared to 6 hours for a slow charger.

Just about a fifth of the chargers at petrol stations are fast chargers, according to the executive. More fast chargers are on the way. In addition, car manufacturers advise drivers to use fast chargers infrequently to prevent battery damage.

Even fast chargers find users only at large filling stations on highways with eating joints or other facilities where car drivers can use their waiting time, executives said. Smaller filling stations in cities find fewer customers.
 
Roughly 20% of the chargers at gas stations are fast chargers. Additional rapid chargers are coming soon. Furthermore, automobile manufacturers recommend that drivers use rapid chargers sparingly to avoid harming the battery.

According to executives, even rapid chargers are only accessible to users at major gas stations along highways that have dining options or other amenities for drivers to utilize while they wait. Smaller gas stations in urban areas encounter fewer patrons.

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