As India progresses towards a transition to electric mobility, fast EV chargers will become necessary for electrifying commercial transport. Fast EV chargers are essential to provide fast turnaround, good performance, and viable economics for electric fleets and buses, logistics vehicles, and shared mobility hubs. In this article, we look at all the key information stakeholders should know about fast EV chargers for business, their technical benefits, regulatory framework and standards, and future growth potential.
What Are Fast EV Chargers?
DC fast chargers (interchangeable with Level 3 chargers) are a category of charger that provide high power electricity to electric vehicle (EV) batteries. They work differently from the slower AC chargers: they bypass the onboard charger and send direct current (DC) directly to the battery.
This results in significantly reduced charging times, which is particularly important for commercial operations.
- Power Rating: Ranges from 50 kW to 350 kW.
- Charging Time: 20 to 60 minutes to charge 0% to 80%.
- Common connectors found in India: Include CCS2, CHAdeMO, and GB/T.
Fast or rapid EV charging allows commercial operators to reduce downtime for vehicles and maximize asset utilization, which is essential for profitability.
The Significance of Fast EV Chargers in Commercial Contexts
The significance of fast EV chargers in the business space cannot be underestimated. The following are the primary business sectors where fast EV chargers are transforming processes:
1. Fleet Management
Fast EV chargers are important to commercial fleets which consist of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers used for ride-hailing, deliveries, and logistics. Businesses like Amazon, Flipkart, and BigBasket rely heavily on fast EV chargers to ensure the inertia of their approach to electric vehicle fleet management is as low as possible.
- Fleet vehicles operate continuously; downtime affects revenue.
- Fast EV chargers allow an on-the-go recharging during shift changes.
- Comprehensive fleet charging station deployment will have chargers which will operate within a charging range of 60 to 150 kW that cover an array of vehicles.
2. Public Transport
Electric buses and trucks will require fast EV chargers at depot facilities and terminals. State Transport Units (STUs) and various private operators use fast EV chargers with a range of 120 kW to 240 kW to service their e-bus fleets.
- Different fast EV chargers are set up in depot facilities to replenish battery power overnight and at mid-day.
- Fast EV chargers support intercity and intracity electric public transport.
3. Shared Charging Hubs
Shared energy sites are becoming common in the city. These are locations in which multiple fast EV chargers with simple bundling of taxis, electric cargo vehicles, auto-rickshaws and two wheelers are supplied.
- Smart recording and load distribution are used to enhance usage.
- Integrated with apps and efficiency user journey.
- Many fast EV chargers are solar-powered to reduce environmental impact.
4. High ROI for Station Operators
Fast EV chargers help commercial charging station operators achieve better ROI. Due to higher throughput, fast EV chargers result in more transactions per day compared to AC chargers.
- Increased energy sales.
- Better asset utilization.
- Premium pricing models.
Fast EV Chargers in India: The Growth Story
India’s fast EV charger infrastructure is evolving rapidly. With government initiatives via FAME II and state EV policies, the speed of the deployment of fast EV chargers has been fast-tracked.
Incentives from the Government
FAME II Scheme: Provides capital subsidies up to ₹2.5 lakh for DC fast chargers and ₹70,000 for AC slow chargers.
PLI Scheme: Encourages manufacturing the production of rapid EV chargers and products associated with charging.
State Policies: Maharashtra, Delhi, and Karnataka provide incentives and contracts for a private and public fast EV charger roll-out.
Key Industry Players
Companies who are rolling out fast EV chargers for commercial use include:
- Tata Power EZ Charge
- ChargeZone
- Fortum India
- Statiq
- Jio-bp
These players are deploying fast EV chargers at bus depots, malls, office complexes and highways in support of India’s expanding EV fleet.
Battery Swapping vs. Fast EV Chargers
While battery swapping is gaining traction in the two- and three-wheeler segment, fast EV chargers are still the preferred solution for:
- Long-haul electric trucks and buses.
- Premium passenger EVs.
- Vehicles with integrated batteries.
Fast EV chargers offer standardized, scalable solutions compatible with OEMs and are easier to integrate with software platforms. Battery swapping is popular for last-mile and short-range vehicles, but fast charging remains vital for long-range, high-usage fleets.
Technical Aspects of Fast EV Chargers
Understanding the technical side of fast EV chargers helps commercial users make informed choices.
Power Infrastructure
Fast EV chargers typically require a 3-phase power supply and often demand grid enhancements or substation upgrades for large installations.
Cooling Mechanisms
Chargers above 150 kW often come with liquid-cooled cables and internal systems to prevent overheating during continuous operation.
Software Integration
Modern fast EV chargers are cloud-connected and support:
- Remote monitoring
- Smart diagnostics
- OCPP 2.0 compliance for interoperability
They can integrate into fleet management systems, offering usage analytics, billing, energy optimization, and Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) business models.
Fast EV Chargers on Highways and Long Routes
NHAI and private companies are setting up fast EV chargers every 40-60 km along national highways to support intercity EV movement.
Highway Charging Corridors: Being developed across the Golden Quadrilateral and other key national routes.
Target Vehicles: Intercity buses, electric trucks, and long-range EVs.
These highway hubs offer 150-350 kW fast EV chargers with rest facilities, food courts, and 24/7 support.
Future of Fast EV Chargers in India
The role of fast EV chargers is expected to expand significantly by 2030, with strong demand from logistics, agriculture, mining, and transport sectors.
Ultra-Fast Chargers (UFCs)
Next-gen fast EV chargers of 500 kW+ capacity are being tested for:
- Heavy-duty electric trucks.
- Intercity e-bus routes.
These ultra-fast EV chargers can deliver 300+ km range within 15–20 minutes.
Smart Features in Fast EV Chargers
- Dynamic load balancing
- Real-time price discovery
- Reservation systems
- Predictive maintenance alerts
Such innovations will make fast EV chargers smarter and more efficient.
Export and Manufacturing Opportunities
India has the potential to become a hub for manufacturing fast EV chargers for export to Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Local companies are investing in R&D, component localization, and end-to-end integration to compete globally.
Challenges and Recommendations
While fast EV chargers are gaining ground, challenges remain:
- High upfront costs for chargers and grid upgrades
- Limited trained technicians in rural and semi-urban areas
- Land acquisition hurdles for large hubs
- Lack of interoperability in roaming and payment platforms
Recommendations:
- Simplify subsidy disbursement processes.
- Encourage PPP models for fast EV charger installation.
- Upskill local technicians in fast EV charger installation and servicing.
- Promote open protocols and unified payment systems for easier user access.
Conclusion
Fast EV chargers are more than just an accessory; they are a necessity for India’s EV revolution, especially in commercial applications. Whether it’s keeping logistics running, supporting public transport, or reducing delivery vehicle downtime, fast EV chargers are vital for high-efficiency operations.
With supportive policies, advancing technology, and growing investor interest, fast EV chargers will power not just vehicles but India’s economic and environmental goals. Stakeholders in fleet operations, transport, infrastructure, and clean tech must place fast EV chargers at the core of their electrification strategies.
The future of India’s commercial EV sector depends on one key component: fast EV chargers.