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Time of India
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla is finally here. Will India be able to power it?
From the availability of Tesla's Superchargers to the readiness of India's power grid, several million-dollar questions now take centrestage. With the EV giant officially entering the Indian market, marked by the grand opening of its first showroom at Jio World Drive in BKC, Mumbai - attention turns to what EV infrastructure exists in the country, what must be built, and how much strain this will place on an already overburdened power grid. Tesla's India website already lists the Model Y for Indian customers, promising supercharge in 15 minutes - up to 238 kilometres for its rear wheel drive, and up to 267 kilometres for its long-range rear wheel drive. Though it mentions that the said is dependent on factors such as Supercharger type, vehicle configuration, state of charge, battery temperature, speed, weather and elevation change, among others. It also outlines the early Supercharger network under development, including planned locations in Mumbai (BKC, Navi Mumbai, Thane), Gurugram, Delhi Aerocity, and Noida. 'For markets like India where CCS2 (Combined Charging System / IEC 62196-3) dominates, Tesla has developed connector adapters or dual-compatible systems to ensure that even their NACS-based (North American Charging Standard) models can charge from existing infrastructure for the LR RWD model. This strategic flexibility highlights a broader industry shift towards interoperability and charging standard unification, ensuring greater accessibility and convenience for EV users across India,' shares Arun Handa, CTO, Servotech Renewable Power System. This is highly relevant given that Tesla has confirmed the launch of two models in India Model Y RWD, which supports CCS2 charging, and Model Y LR RWD, which uses Tesla's proprietary North American Charging Standard (NACS). Charging Infrastructure Challenge For the Model Y RWD, Tesla can fully leverage India's existing network of CCS2-based fast chargers, available across highways, cities, and commercial zones. This alignment ensures minimal infrastructure investment and a faster market rollout. However, the Model Y LR RWD with NACS presents a unique challenge, as India currently lacks any NACS-based infrastructure. 'To support this, Tesla would either need to develop proprietary superchargers or offer reliable CCS2-to-NACS adapters. This would require additional investment and could affect scalability in the short-term,' says Handa. Currently, Tesla is offering connectors for the LR RWD models to charge from the existing EV charging infrastructure in India and Tesla's wall mount chargers for quicker at home charging. 'The CCS2 charger type is already available in India and used by brands such as Tata Motors, JSW MG Motor, Mahindra & Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi,' says Kwan Wongwetsawat , Senior Analyst – Global Powertrain, Automotive at GlobalData. For now, aligning with India's CCS2 standard enables Tesla to accelerate market entry, reduce deployment costs, and ensure a smoother user experience for Indian EV buyers while they build a charging infrastructure for the NACS supported vehicles. Currently, CCS2 standard chargers are commonly used for four-wheelers and hybrid EVs in India, and are capable of fast DC charging up to 360 kW. It's an extension of the IEC 62196 Type 2 connector, with additional DC pins for high-power delivery. 'The CCS2 charger type is already available in India and used by brands such as Tata Motors, MG Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi,' says Kwan Wongwetsawat, Senior Analyst – Global Powertrain, Automotive at GlobalData. Fast Charging Gap 'Over 90 per cent of India's public fast charging network uses CCS2, ensuring compatibility with Tesla's global vehicle architecture. However, a large portion of the current installed base consists of DC chargers in the 30–60 kW range, which offer limited charging speed for a Tesla-sized battery. That said, CPOs (Charging Point Operators) in India are actively expanding into higher-power chargers (120–240 kW), particularly on highways and urban hubs. Tesla will likely address ultra-fast charging needs by installing its own hyper-chargers at high-traffic or premium locations, and partnering with major Indian CPOs to co-develop ultra-fast charging points that can serve its vehicles,' says Anshuman Divyanshu, CEO – EV, Exicom. 'Post initial traction and market validation (in 18–24 months), Tesla may evaluate deeper investment, including a dedicated Supercharger network, depending on demand, policy clarity, and competitive dynamics,' he adds. Tesla's adoption of CCS2 in Europe and ASEAN aligns well with India's direction. 'Tesla typically establishes its own charging stations, known as Tesla Superchargers, when entering new markets, often restricted to Tesla vehicles only,' notes Wongwetsawat. 'Tesla's CCS2 is identical to that used in Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. In contrast, Tesla's proprietary NACS is limited to the US, Canada, and Japan.' According to Krishna K Jasti , CEO & CPO of EVRE, 'The Indian EV space is significantly adaptive. Tesla's entry will positively impact the scalability of the overall industry. With CCS connectors already embedded in India's infrastructure, we are equipped to cater to Tesla cars.' While Tesla can integrate into India's public CCS2 charging network for basic compatibility, optimal performance, especially for vehicles such as Model Y and others such as X and S -demand Tesla's own Supercharger infrastructure. These high-speed chargers, often rated at 250 kW, need significant upgrades in grid connectivity, high-voltage equipment, and real estate partnerships. 'It is a capex-heavy rollout,' explains Velayutham S, Founder and CEO, Tamirabot. He adds that Tesla might eventually advocate for NACS inclusion in India's Bharat EV standards to align future incentives. Smart Charging Integration 'The advantage of Tesla Superchargers lies not just in their charging speeds of up to 250 kW for Model 3 and Y (around 170 kW for LFP batteries), but also in their software integration. These chargers integrate with Tesla's built-in navigation system. When navigation is set to a Tesla Supercharger, the vehicle's battery is warmed up just before arrival, which can facilitate faster charging,' explains Wongwetsawat. 'We can envision that initially; Tesla's infrastructure will be exclusively available to Tesla users. This could provide an advantage to Tesla owners over others, as they would have access to both Tesla chargers and other public charging stations. Consequently, this could help accelerate Tesla sales,' shares Wongwetsawat. In addition to Superchargers, Tesla also offers AC chargers known as Tesla Destination Chargers, which are typically located in public parking areas. 'These Destination Chargers can provide charging speeds of up to 22 kW,' he adds. But all this rests on the question of India's grid readiness. 'India's grid capacity for public EV chargers currently supports 30–60 kW DC chargers. This limits Tesla's ability to fully utilise its fast-charging potential unless there's a grid upgrade,' says Velayutham S. He estimates that a single 250 kW Supercharger stall draws 0.25 MW continuously, with a typical six-stall station consuming up to 1.5 MW, equivalent to the peak power needs of nearly 1,000 Indian homes. This will necessitate dedicated transformers or sub-station taps. 'Tesla will have to partner with majors in power, infrastructure, and energy space such as Jio BP, Tata Power, Adani, and HPCLs to roll out its Supercharger network, starting with pilots in metros and on high-traffic corridors like Delhi–Mumbai and Bengaluru–Chennai,' he adds. Indicating that Tesla's Supercharging technology is primarily designed for high-speed DC charging, Handa says, 'Indian households are more than capable to charge the EV with the output they're equipped with. For home charging, Tesla is offering more compatible charging solutions. The model LR RWD, will support a 7.7 kW wall mounted charger, priced around ₹40,000, which is essentially an AC Level 2 charger capable of charging the EV in 12 hours offering a range of 350-400 KMs, ideal for overnight charging.' Additionally, Tesla is offering its 15A charger for home charging which would fully charge the EV in about 72 hours. Public Charging Crucial The bottom line is, Tesla Superchargers are best suited for commercial hubs and highway networks, while home charging in India will be limited to slower AC chargers unless significant infrastructure upgrades are made. This makes the expansion of public fast-charging stations even more critical for Tesla's success in India. However, charging is still possible with the existing power output offered by the Indian households. Ultimately, while Tesla's arrival will supercharge India's EV ecosystem, it will also test the strength, and flexibility of its power infrastructure. Whether India can rise to meet this challenge could determine how fast the electric revolution truly accelerates. Power Draw for Single Tesla Charge (Typical Scenario) Tesla ModelBattery Size (kWh)Charging Time (from 10–80%)Charging Power Required (kW)Electricity Draw (Units)Model 3/Y~60–75 kWh25–30 min (150 kW DC)120–150 kW (DC fast charging)~45–55 unitsModel S/X~100 kWh30–40 min (250 kW DC)150–250 kW~70–80 unitsUsing AC (Home Charger)Same batteries8–10 hours (7.2 kW)3.3–11 kW (AC)Same energy, slower rate Source: Tamirabot Tesla EV Power Grid Impact – City-Wise Estimation (Top Metro Cities) (Assumption: 1000 Tesla vehicles charged daily at ~75 kWh each.) CityAvg Grid Capacity (MW)*Tesla Charging Demand (Assuming 1000 Cars/Day)% Load from EVsNotesDelhi NCR~6,000 MW75 MWh/day (avg 75 kWh per Tesla)~1.25%Manageable; grid strong, but EV charger clustering neededMumbai~3,500 MW75 MWh/day~2.1%Urban constraints may limit ultra-fast charger sitesBengaluru~2,800 MW75 MWh/day~2.7%Solar + EV infra growing; manageableChennai~2,500 MW75 MWh/day~3.0%Strong industrial grid, but heat impacts grid resilienceHyderabad~2,000 MW75 MWh/day~3.75%Needs local DISCOM readinessAhmedabad~1,800 MW75 MWh/day~4.2%Higher relative impact; good solar integration potentialPune~1,500 MW75 MWh/day~5.0%Higher impact, especially with residential growth Source: Tamirabot
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.
