India is making great progress in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. With more affordable EV models available, government subsidies in place, and increasing awareness of climate change, thousands of Indians are making the move to electric mobility. But there is one trend that surprises experts and stakeholders alike EV owners are not frequenting public charging stations nearly as much as anticipated.
This article considers the primary reasons behind the under-utilization of public charging stations, the issues EV users face, and what must change for these stations to fill a more prominent role in India’s EV experience.
The Growth of EVs in India
In 2024, India recorded over 16 lakh EV registrations, with electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers making up the majority of the market. Cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai have become inundated with EVs on their roads. To accommodate this proliferation, central, state governments, and private players have installed thousands of public charging stations across cities, highways, malls, and office complexes.
However, public charging station usage remains surprisingly low.
Why Aren’t EV Owners Using Public Charging Stations?
Home Charging is the Preferred Method
Most EV owners particularly multi and four wheel vehicle owners, like to charge their vehicles at home overnight. Charging at home is cheaper, more convenient, and they don’t have to wait in any lines or plan any detours.Since home charging covers most daily commuting needs (50–80 km/day), public charging stations are seen as a backup rather than a primary option.
Unreliable Infrastructure
One of the biggest complaints that EV owners have is the unreliable condition of many public charging stations. Some of the most common complaints include:
- Chargers not functioning properly or “out of service”
- Poor maintenance
- No lighting or secured area
- Broken plugs or poor software update.
When EV users experience an issue, with public charging stations, even once, they will usually refrain from charging at public charging stations altogether and, instead, rely on home charging due to reliability factors.
Lack of Real-Time Information
Most public charging stations are not integrated with real-time apps.Electric vehicle drivers and owners typically experience difficulty finding up-to-date information about the location, availability, cost, and type of charger when they are searching for under-utilized charging stations. If a driver drives to a charging station only to find it is already occupied or doesn’t work it is frustrating and reduces the potential for use.
While Statiq, ChargeZone, and Pulse Energy are providing some hope with their apps and integrated maps, the coverage is still spotty.
Limited Fast Charging Options
In India, many public charging stations are still using slow AC chargers, which are useful for overnight charging, but not appropriate for quick charging throughout the day. Fast DC chargers are expensive to set up and use, which is why most do not offer them.
Hence, when charging time is longer than 1-2 hours, people will choose not to use public charging stations for their day-to-day trips.
Pricing Confusion and Expensive Tolls
Furthermore, significant issues still remain in terms of pricing which can often be confusing. Some public charging stations charge by energy (kWh), some charge by time, others are effective and have hidden fees related to servicing or parking. In some cases, charging in public might be more expensive than charging at home or putting in the same distance with petrol.
Until there is a consistent and transparent approach to charging users will be distrustful of public charging stations.
Range Anxiety & Poor Network Planning
Ironically, public charging stations were meant to reduce range anxiety, but poor planning has worsened it. In smaller towns and highways, stations are far apart or poorly marked. An EV owner might worry about reaching the next station if the first one isn’t working — so they avoid long trips altogether.
This defeats the purpose of public charging stations being available for intercity or emergency use.
Safety and Accessibility Concerns
Many users, especially women and elderly drivers, report that some public charging stations are in isolated or unsafe areas. Stations in dimly lit basements, remote corners of highways, or unsecured lots make them uninviting.
Until safety and convenience are improved, people will prefer the comfort and predictability of home charging.
Examples
- Delhi: Despite having over 2,000 public charging stations, Delhi’s average charger usage rate is below 10%, according to DISCOM reports. Most EV owners in Delhi use home chargers unless they’re part of fleet services like Uber Green.
- Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has installed public charging stations at multiple bus depots, but citizens rarely use them due to limited public awareness and poor visibility.
- Bengaluru: Known as India’s EV capital, the city has seen better integration with platforms like EV Plugs and Ather Grid. However, usage of public charging stations is still largely limited to commercial fleets.
What Needs to Change?
Better Maintenance and Uptime
The government and private players need to ensure that public charging stations are well-maintained. Regular checks, proper signage, and 24/7 customer support can improve trust in the system.
Smart Integration and Real-Time Tracking
Each public charging station should be linked to real-time apps showing status, queue length, charging speed, and price. Just like Google Maps for petrol pumps, EV users need digital reliability.
Faster Chargers in Key Locations
Install more fast DC chargers at malls, corporate parks, residential complexes, and near highways. People will use public charging stations only if they offer convenience and speed.
Transparent and Fair Pricing
A standardized, simple, and fair pricing structure is essential. Whether it’s per unit or per minute, the cost of using public charging stations must be clearly displayed, with no hidden fees.
Improved Safety and Accessibility
Ensure public charging stations are placed in well-lit, secure areas with CCTV, guards, and easy access. Good lighting and cleanliness also increase user comfort.
Awareness Campaigns
Many EV owners don’t even know where the nearest public charging stations are. Public awareness campaigns — through mobile apps, street signage, and dealership info — can help.
Incentivizing Use
Offer discounts, loyalty programs, or tax benefits to frequent users of public charging stations. This will encourage adoption and make charging outside the home a habit.
The Role of Fleets and Commercial Users
Interestingly, commercial EV fleets are the primary users of public charging stations. Companies like BluSmart, Uber Green, and e-commerce delivery firms use public charging hubs for daily operations.
This proves that public charging stations can work well when integrated into a business model — but the experience still needs to be scaled for individual consumers.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
India’s EV revolution is real, but the infrastructure must catch up. Unless public charging stations become reliable, safe, and fast, EV owners will continue to charge at home. This puts pressure on grid infrastructure in residential areas and limits long-distance travel.
The government’s goal of having one charging station every 3 km in cities and every 25 km on highways is a great start. But the focus now must shift from quantity to quality.
If India wants to become a global EV leader, its public charging stations need to be as easy to use as an ATM or fuel pump fast, trusted, and everywhere.