Electriva charging station in Kanpur
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What Do I Need To Know Before Using An Electric Station?

EVs are gaining in popularity in India. However, recharging time is a primary concern among existing and potential owners. Companies are trying to upgrade their charging stations to ease such concerns and make traveling faster. EV compatibility and charging stations experience few problems despite progress made in this sector. Hence, before taking your electric vehicle on the road, you must know a few things about charging your car at a station. 

EV circuit breakers and stations

EVs like Rivian and Ford F-150 Lighting made owners stop charging them on the roads. They made a loud sound, after which they had to be towed. The owners lacked knowledge that EVs came with circuit breakers, which regular vehicles don’t possess. Excess flow might cause a break trip, circuit interruption, and safeguarding the vehicle from potential damage. 

Save charging time

Based on the outlet, such vehicles may take approximately half a day to achieve full charge. Drivers requiring covering long distances feel frustrated about this long charging time. Fortunately, public EV charging stations can reduce this charging time to approximately half an hour or even less. Excess flow in less time is bad news. The vehicle might shut off completely, thus requiring it to be towed. 

Charging station warranties

It is a wrong notion that the manufacturers cover these warranties. Check the warranties for coverage. Generally, warranties cover defects arising from regular use. Many manufacturers claim that most EVs malfunction due to car charging stations. Normal and accurate break resulting circuit breaks are not manufacturer-covered. They might not even cover malfunction resulting from broken charging stations. A few stations might be dysfunctional, thus causing improper charge and full EV shutdown. 

Dealership battery replacements

Faulty batteries are another concern that consumers should consider. Risks might occur when charging at faulty stations. Battery failure might cause a total loss. In this case, the dealer should make the replacement and not the manufacturer. Few manufacturers might cover this aspect in their warranties. Concerning damages or malfunctions, check the manufacturer’s warranty on EVs.

Where to charge your EV?

You have three options to choose from. You may use a private charger to charge your vehicle at your office or home. The other two are the slower public charging or fast-charging stations. They are called Level 2 stations. Home charging is the cheapest. You can leave your vehicle charger to charge your vehicle the whole night. 

Other charging options

A well-devised strategy will be to take your vehicle to a nearby grocery store or gym to fast charge it at the Level 2 station. Such chargers add approximately 30 miles per hour based on car and charger. They are affordable to establish and mushrooming everywhere, especially in office parks and shopping malls. You may avail of Level 2, slower charging, or fast charging stations at different locations.

How to charge your EV when covering a long distance?

You may search for an Electriva charging station in Kanpur to fast-charge your vehicle along the way. The number of fast charging stations is increasing on Indian highways and expressways that EV owners may avail. More are coming in cities, towns, and other places. Download the provider’s app on your Smartphone and know the public charging stations along your route. 

Can you enjoy your EV road trip?

The government has subsidized public charging infrastructure to encourage its growth and progress. The objective is to boost EVs on Indian roads and curb pollution. With public charging stations coming up on the highways and other major areas, you can enjoy your road trip on your electric vehicle. You don’t have to bother about getting stranded in the middle of the road. 

Time taken to charge the vehicle

A fast charger may take approximately 15 minutes to charge your vehicle. The existing charging infrastructure and EVs are designed to charge fast. If machinery on both sides works to perfection, 15 minutes is more than enough to add 100 miles per hour in contemporary EVs. However, for long road trips, your vehicle should be fully charged. 

Other factors to consider

Besides public charging stations on the roads, other factors increase charging time. Most entry-level or older vehicles lack the hardware to accept quick charging. Few might add an odd 2-3 miles a minute. It is irrespective of the charger it is connected to. Other factors like harsh environments might cause issues. 

EV range accuracy estimate

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) suggests a mixed-route driving routine as an EV range estimate. Moving fast on an expressway or highway will mean a slightly lower observed range than the estimate. Your car’s battery might stretch more than expected when driving on the city roads. Check the EV manufacturer’s manual to know the vehicle’s range capacity. 

What happens if your vehicle exhausts its battery?

In the case of the lower range, contemporary EVs calculate and navigate automatically to a nearby charging station. Few vehicles might activate some ‘back-home’ function. Such settings might shut down non-essentials and climate control to move a few miles more. Even if the battery gets dry, the car might drag along slowly and allow you to stop at a safe place. Some markets may provide emergency highway charging services. However, you may need to book a tow truck to drag your vehicle to the nearest charging point. 

Efficient method to charge EVs

Use slower networks to enhance the vehicle’s battery life. Avoid driving until empty or fill up always along the route. Use a Level-2 charger at work or home. Plug at 20 percent and top up the battery to 80%. Repeat the process. Most batteries may last approximately 12-15 years. More miles covered and longer duration vehicle owners offset more carbon. It starts growing green as it reaches 200,000 miles. 

The cost involved in charging the EV

Charging cost depends on the vehicle size and capacity to charge. Prices may vary by network. Even pricing structures differ. Few companies could charge by time and others by kilowatt hour. Rates may vary depending on the time of charging the vehicle. Some providers offer membership with lower per-unit charging rates against annual or monthly fees. The latter helps save precious money.

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Electric vehicle charging station in Delhi
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Charging Ahead: Electric-Vehicle Infrastructure Demand

People have realized the need to save the planet and future generations. The government is encouraging citizens to switch to Electric Vehicles (EVs). These vehicles use battery power to run. However, charging infrastructure requires pace and urgent attention. A robust network is crucial on a wide scale. It boosts ongoing EV adoption in the country. Electric vehicle owners should charge their vehicles conveniently and quickly. 

Government initiatives

The government has launched several initiatives. It includes the FAME scheme to boost charging infrastructure and faster EV adoption. NEMMP scheme incentivizes EV purchases. However, private sector investment has a greater say in the success of such government initiatives. Private players like RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations) and charging infrastructure providers should contribute towards developing the charging infrastructure. 

Potential roadblocks

The country has an ambitious goal to electrify the fast-growing transportation sector. More charging stations are required across the country. EV charging infrastructure in the country is currently unevenly distributed. A significant discrepancy is noticed between existing charging stations and EV numbers. For instance, one station serves approximately 1,103 EVs in the U.P state. 

Problems faced

Solving the above problems is not easy. Private players such as RWAs and SMB owners are worried about the charging stations’ high running costs. It doesn’t allow them to avail potential opportunities. A few reasons are:

  • Geographical diversity: Being a diverse country, it requires diverse charging infrastructure considerations. Few should resist water logging common in areas experiencing heavy downpours during monsoon seasons. Moreover, diverse travel patterns and population density in urban and rural areas require diverse charging infrastructure. Such a divide increases the challenge to establish and maintain the stations, especially in remote places. Investment is another issue. 
  • Lack of public charging infrastructure: Public charging stations currently are spread across the country and number only a few thousand. Although the government tries to push lucrative schemes, RWAs, small entrepreneurs, and retail stores are hesitant. These stations require a huge investment. They lack awareness concerning the benefits the stations may offer. Moreover, potential buyers feel anxious about the vehicle range. 
  • Inadequate power grid: Power grid requirements have increased significantly since the past year, placing it under significant strain. Hence, including EVs in the grid might only cause frequent power cuts, especially in rural areas. It might reduce EV buyers’ confidence and discourage its adoption. Potential owners may feel worried about charging their vehicles at home or midway on highways. It reduces private sector investment. 

Solutions to revolutionize the country’s charging needs

The government is taking adequate steps to overcome the challenges. Efforts are made to develop an efficient and sustainable EV charging network. The central government is providing incentives to private sectors to boost investment in public charging infrastructure. It is promoting smart software solutions, developing fast charging, and trying to meet increasing power demands throughout the country.

Four prominent solutions to revolutionize charging needs

  • Integrate renewable energy: Renewable energy sources, when integrated into EV charging infrastructure, make EV charging more sustainable and affordable. It helps reduce fossil fuel usage, global warming effects, and pollution. It also reduces power cuts while making charging more feasible and affordable. The government tries to leverage potential renewable energy sources. The plan is to increase the generation of renewable energy to 500GW capacity by 2030. 
  • Improve public charging infrastructure: Power Ministry collaborates with BEE agencies to develop electric vehicle charging station in Delhi and other cities in the country. The Heavy Industries Ministry has sanctioned the construction of thousands of charging stations in different states, expressways, and highways. It can help reduce range anxiety. Besides this, private players are encouraged to develop charging stations at parking lots, shopping malls, and business complexes.
  • Incentivize private investments: The government recognizes the role of the private sector in developing public charging infrastructure. Hence, it has introduced various policies and initiatives. FAME Scheme is one such initiative where oil companies are provided with Rs. 800 crore to establish public EV charging stations. Moreover, 100% FDI is allowed to invest in public charging infrastructure.
  • Encourage fast-charging technology and related software: It helps reduce charging times. Fast chargers take less charging time than slow chargers. It helps alleviate range anxiety. Hence, EV owners needing to travel long distances can do so without trouble. Moreover, fast-charging technology reduces the total number of charging stations required. They charge the vehicles quickly and are a better option than establishing several conventional charging stations. 

Future impact of EV infrastructure

Robust development of charging infrastructure can positively impact the country’s EV market growth. It supports adoption and reduces range anxiety. Moreover, electric mobility adoption reduces Greenhouse Gas emissions and improves air quality. It can also positively impact the country’s economy. Setting up charging stations at strategic points is vital to boost EV adoption throughout the country.

Greenhouse gas emission reduction

The country’s existing transportation and energy sectors contribute to GHG emissions. Adopting electric mobility can help reduce such emissions. Besides preventing tailpipe emissions, electric vehicles convert 60% of the grid’s electrical energy. It is compared to diesel and petrol vehicles that manage to convert only 17-21 percent of fuel. It reduces GHG emissions, thus improving air quality, productivity, and public health while diminishing healthcare-related costs. 

Enhanced renewable energy usage

The country is steadily enhancing its renewable energy capacity. Increased usage will need more power, thus increasing the demand for renewable energy generation. Power Ministry’s 2022 Open Access Rules enable potential buyers to contact producers directly to meet their growing green energy requirements. Enhanced renewable energy sources can help provide a better charging experience.

Economic development

Increased renewable energy sources and adoption can help reduce oil imports. The country can save money that can be used to generate employment in diverse sectors. An increase in battery and manufacturing also helps create employment opportunities. The fast-expanding industry may provide direct and indirect jobs for millions. This, in turn, can help the country to reach its economic objectives.

Powering ahead

Electric Vehicles are the need of the day to save the planet and its citizens. Although the country faces several challenges, the government is encouraging the development of charging stations at public places, highways, and expressways. 

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