Latest news with #AnnualMaintenanceContract
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Every gun matters! The unsung frontline of India's EV charging revolution
As India 's electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem expands at a rapid pace, the focus remains firmly on scaling infrastructure and boosting adoption. However, a critical yet largely ignored component is the EV charging gun—central to vehicle charging but often sidelined when it comes to maintenance and service protocols. Despite their critical role in the charging process, charging guns are plagued by a lack of timely upkeep and the absence of standardised service protocols. In India, they endure not just extreme weather conditions, ranging from intense heat, dust storms to monsoon humidity, but also face rough handling, vandalism, and a shortage of trained technical personnel with necessary technology know-how. Fragmentation in Connector Types Worsening the Challenge Experts point out that the use of non-standard, proprietary connectors by some manufacturers is further fragmenting the charging ecosystem. This complicates serviceability for operators who must navigate multiple charging gun designs, limited spare part availability, and inconsistent knowledge levels. 'For India's EV ecosystem to scale sustainably, awareness around charging gun maintenance and timely servicing needs to become a shared priority across buyers, sellers, and infrastructure stakeholders,' says Arun Handa, Chief Technical Officer , Servotech Renewable Power System Ltd. He stresses that many users still wrongly assume chargers are maintenance-free. 'That's why it is important to educate users through social media and onsite campaigns to create user-side awareness and prevent misuse, rough handling, and promote user-driven reporting of faults. An unserved charging gun can be directly compared to a virus that can immediately affect any EV it comes in contact with.' Multiple Risks, One Solution: Preventive Maintenance 'A poorly maintained charging gun poses multiple risks such as thermal damage, safety hazards, vehicle damage, poor user experience and regulatory non-compliance,' explains Krishna K Jasti, CEO & CPO, EVRE. Jasti recommends implementing AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) policies that include connector servicing, alongside development and enforcement of BIS-compliant service protocols. 'Mandatory real-time fault monitoring and alerts for connector faults, training field service staff in connector repair and inspection, and providing incentives or GST relief for certified connector replacement parts could be game-changers. Encouraging local manufacturing of reliable, India-ready charging guns is also crucial.' He further adds, 'Many charging stations are installed outdoors, exposing guns to dust, rain, and extreme temperatures, accelerating wear and tear. Moreover, limited awareness among operators and consumers about periodic servicing needs, and supply chain delays for connector replacements or spare parts, especially for imported components pose serious concerns.' Emphasizing that continuous monitoring of multiple parameters is essential for the efficient functioning of an EV, Sanjeev Kulkarni , CEO, BillionE, says, 'Beyond speed, it's critical to track the State-of-Charge (SOC) profile, cell and battery temperatures, user behaviour patterns, and instances of isolation resistance loss.' He also highlights the crucial role that proper maintenance of charging guns and sockets plays in ensuring the safety and performance of both EVs and the supporting infrastructure. 'We are dealing with high current flow, so it's imperative to have a routine mechanism in place for cleaning and maintaining charging guns,' he adds. A Complex Ecosystem of Charging Guns with Varied Connector Types Currently, the EV charging stations in India are equipped with different charging gun technologies with origins from India, Europe, China and Japan. These range from Bharat AC-001 to Type 2 guns (IEC 62196-2) AC chargers used to charge 2,3, and 4-wheelers, Type 6 and 7 guns for DC chargers used for charging 2 wheelers (these chargers can also work with 3-wheelers as the technology evolves). LECCS (Light Electric Combined Charging System) - part of the IS17017 (Part 2 / Sec 7): 2023 standard, enable both AC and DC charging through a single interface. 'Is a connector developed by Ather Energy and has shared this connector design with other manufacturers to encourage interoperability and broader adoption,' shares Jasti. 'Currently, many 2W and 3W manufacturers still rely on non-standard, proprietary connectors, leading to fragmentation in the charging infrastructure. However, the industry is gradually moving towards the BIS-approved Type 6 DC connector, especially for fleet operations and battery swapping applications. This connector is specifically designed for low-voltage, fast-charging scenarios suitable for India's light electric vehicle segment,' highlights Zoeb Karampurwala, Chief Product Officer, EKA Mobility. CCS-2 guns (Combined Charging System)/ IEC 62196-3) DC chargers for 4-wheelers, and HEVs, these are an extension of the IEC 62196 Type 2 connector with two additional DC pins for high-power charging. This connector is used in most fast chargers in India and supports up to 360 kW, charging 4-wheelers, buses, and trucks within an hour. 'In fleet depots or dedicated hubs, vehicles often integrate with customised high-capacity chargers based on the CCS-2 protocol to facilitate efficient overnight or opportunity charging cycles,' explains Karampurwala. He further shares, 'For electric passenger vehicles, CCS-2 has become the accepted standard for DC fast charging, adopted by all major OEMs in India. For home and workplace charging, Type 2 AC connectors are standard, offering slow to moderate charging via wall-box units or public AC stations. This dual approach ensures both convenience and high-speed charging capabilities for users.' Maintenance equals Reliability Routine inspection and cleaning of the pins, especially in CCS-2 connectors, which support high-power DC flow, is a necessity. 'Any dirt or corrosion on the contact points can disrupt communication between the charger and the EV, resulting in failed sessions or battery damage,' says Handa. Frequent plugging and unplugging of charging guns also lead to mechanical wear. Without timely intervention, connectors may overheat or melt, posing serious safety risks for both the station and users. Another challenge is the shortage of trained technicians and availability of OEM-certified spare parts, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities. Most stations lack smart diagnostics to detect connector faults proactively, meaning issues often go unnoticed until they cause real disruption. 'To build a reliable charging infrastructure, India must prioritise preventive servicing of Type 2 and CCS-2 connectors and create localised technical support systems,' says Handa. Road Towards Standardisation Meanwhile, GB/T guns are used in older 4-wheeler EVs. These guns are Chinese DC fast charging standard, used for 3-wheelers and 4-wheelers in early deployments. 'Currently, no major EV manufacturer in India supports GB/T, and it is being phased out,' shares Jasti. 'The Indian EV ecosystem is now steadily moving toward universal CCS-2 adoption, which will gradually phase out GB/T chargers. This shift is expected to eliminate the widespread issue of GB/T to CCS converter dependency, streamlining charging infrastructure, and enhancing user convenience,' adds Handa. CHAdeMO, a Japanese DC fast charging standard used by a few Japanese-origin EVs like the Nissan Leaf, has been less prevalent in India due to limited vehicle compatibility and minimal OEM adoption. The initial set of chargers deployed had both CHAdeMO and CCS-2 connectors. Infrastructure Still Catching Up 'The charging infrastructure ecosystem for electric vehicles in India is currently at a nascent stage,' says Rohan Kanwar Gupta , Vice President & Sector Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA Limited. 'There are only ~25,000 charging stations, even as the number has improved significantly from about 1,800 – 2,000 public charging stations in 2021.' Lack of adequate charging infrastructure has been a key deterrent for EV penetration in India. Apart from capability development and driving demand, the government has, therefore, focused on improving the charging infrastructure across the country to help address range anxiety concerns related to EVs, including allocation for the same in the PM E-Drive Scheme. There has been material traction seen in investments from both PSU and private players in the EV charging space. 'Despite the anticipated sharp increase in EV charging stations, the number could remain significantly low (vis-a-vis the requirement) and constraint EV penetration over the near to medium term,' says Gupta. India's EV charging ecosystem is expanding fast, however, unless critical components like charging guns are prioritised with standard protocols, skilled maintenance, and user education, the infrastructure may fail to keep pace with adoption. A reliable, safe, and interoperable charging experience begins with treating the humble connector as the heart of the system—not its afterthought. 'By combining awareness, training, digital tools and policy support, India can improve the reliability and safety of EV charging infrastructure and support widespread EV adoption,' says Jasti.
Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
2,500 old DTC & cluster services' buses to go off roads in Delhi by year-end
More than 2,500 old Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster services' buses will go off the road by end of the year, officials said, adding that the phasing out has started in March, and till date, 397 buses have been removed from fleet. 'These buses were procured during the 2010 Commonwealth Games and many of them are being operated even after their Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) had lapsed. These buses are in a poor condition… face problems like frequent breakdowns… and with the summers here, there are chances of these buses catching fire,' said a senior official. Officials said while these buses come with a shelf life of 12 years, including two years of maintenance, these usually ply for 15 years after their AMC lapse, if these remain in a good condition. 'Permission to ply for more than 12 years is given after the buses are inspected,' the official said. According to Transport department data, of the 1,860 DTC buses, 345 have been phased out in March. The rest will be phased out by December, said officials. Under the cluster bus services – operated under Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System Limited – 997 buses have completed their shelf life even after their AMC period, approved on April 15, 2024, had expired. Last year, after some cluster buses had completed a 10-year contract period, the department had decided to phase these out. However, then Transport minister Kailash Gahlot had directed the department to give the buses an extension of nine months. 'The concessionaires of cluster 7 and 8 buses, having around 600 buses, had received interim relief for three weeks – from April 15 to May 7 – after they moved court against the phasing out of the buses. The buses of cluster 6 and 9, meanwhile, have been phased out,' said a senior official. Asked how the department plans to fill the gap when these buses go off road, the official said, 'These buses will not be phased out at one go…These will be phased out every month or as when the AMC period ends. Also, new buses are being inducted…' Officials said that Delhi will get more than 5,000 new e-buses under National Electric Bharat Program (NEBP) Phase 1 and PM E-Drive. 'Under NEBP 1, agreements have been signed for procurement of 2,080 buses that are 9-m long for DTC and cluster services,' said an official. Agreements have been signed with five concessionaires — JBM Ecolite, PMI Electro Mobility, Green Cell, White Bus, and Switch Mobility — for the supply of these buses, officials said. Moreover, the government has sought around 1,300 buses (12-m-long) under PM E-Drive. Also, the department has floated tenders to procure 1,900 buses — 12-m-long — of which around 400 are yet to join the fleet, said officials, adding that by the end of the year, the city will also have around 2,800 e-buses. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will flag off 330 electric mohalla buses, procured under the AAP government. The BJP government has renamed the initiative as Delhi EV Interconnector (DEVI).
Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Drive towards ‘women empowerment': Ajit Pawar flags off pink e-rickshaws; over 10k vehicles to hit the streets in eight districts
By Vaishnavi Joshi and Alister Augustine Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday presided over a function in Pune where electric three-wheelers were distributed to women beneficiaries in the state. An initiative of the Women & Child Development Department, the project aims to distribute 10,000 eco-friendly, Kinetic Green electric rickshaws across eight districts—Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur, Amravati, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Along with Pawar, Minister for Women & Child Development Aditi Tatkare, Minister of State Meghana Sakore Bordikar and Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe were present. Under the scheme, the government is providing a 20% subsidy on each e-rickshaw. The beneficiaries need to make a 10% down payment, while the remaining 70% will be covered through low-interest bank loans facilitated by financial partners. To ensure long-term support, Kinetic Green is offering free driving training, assistance with license procurement, and a robust five-year vehicle warranty with an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC). Speaking at the event, Ajit Pawar said, 'The main objective of this scheme is to make women financially capable and empowered. If women are financially empowered, every decision they make in life will be confident and self-reliant. These pink e-rickshaws will be very safe for women's travel. I appeal to women to prefer them while commuting.' The state government has sanctioned ₹80 crore for the initial phase of the scheme. Pawar also emphasised the government's responsibility in helping women become self-sufficient. Minister Aditi Tatkare highlighted the success of the first phase. 'Today, 60 women are getting their pink e-rickshaws—38 from Pune and 22 from PCMC. We've ensured that 90% of these women have completed their training,' she said. She also stressed on the need for further infrastructure support, saying, 'We request Ajit dada to make sure there is a proper parking space for these pink e-rickshaws and to collaborate with the metro stations, Pune airport and other cab services apps to make travelling, especially for women, easier to and from the metro stations and airports. And provide a safe source of income for these women. This will benefit both the women passengers as well as the women driving the e-rickshaws.' She added, 'We will make sure they have proper charging stations to charge these e-rickshaws, and along with this, a 5-year insurance to ensure proper maintenance of the rickshaw will be guaranteed to all women driving them. This is guaranteed by the agency Kinetic Green.' Each e-rickshaw comes equipped with GPS navigation, and the drivers will receive five years of insurance coverage. The vehicles offer a range of 120 km per charge, seat four passengers, and feature digital panels, dual suspension, and high ground clearance for a smoother ride. Kinetic Green Co-founder Ritesh Mantri said: 'We are ensuring proper training and helping with license procedures. Maintenance will be our responsibility for five years, and we will be setting up charging stations across ten districts.' He also mentioned that the scheme prioritizes women between the ages of 20 and 50, particularly widows, divorcees, and those from economically weaker backgrounds. 'I used to leave home early in the morning and clean 5 to 9 houses every day just to earn a little money,' said Laxmi Tuttar, a 30-year-old resident of Pune. 'Even after all that hard work, my legs would ache and I'd return exhausted, but the money was never enough to take care of my family, school fees, groceries, and medicines. My husband helps as much as he can, but expenses are too high. When I got selected for the pink e-rickshaw scheme, I felt like my life was finally taking a turn for the better. This is the first time I feel like I'm not just working—I'm building something for myself and my family.' 'Now, when people sit in my rickshaw, I drive them with pride. I don't have to bow to anyone anymore. That moment when I got to drive Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, Aditi Tatkare and Neelam Gorhe Madam in my pink e-rickshaw during the launch was one of the proudest days of my life. I want to keep driving every day, save up, and one day, maybe even buy another rickshaw for my husband,' said Laxmi. Ajmira Saradar, 27, once a domestic worker, said, 'For years I swept and cleaned homes, barely earning enough to feed my family. When I was told I was selected, I cried. This is not just a vehicle, it's a gift of independence.'
