From Malls to Metro Stations: Building India’s Urban EV Charging Network
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Welcome to the fifth episode of our blog series on ‘different shapes and forms of electric vehicle (EV) charging’. Today, we come back to EV charging in urban areas - and understand why cities as a whole need to be EV ready, not just homes and offices.
India’s electric vehicle market has surged dramatically, with the number of registered EVs currently at over 45 lakhs. Government incentives and general awareness have played a crucial part in this. But with increasing fuel prices, the switch to EVs has become more than just cleaner air. It has become a catalyst in developing India’s economy, especially for urban dwellers.
Take the example of Subodh, a taxi driver in Delhi. He recently switched to an electric car after calculating the costs. “Fuel and maintenance of my older bike were eating into my earnings,” he explained. “With an electric vehicle, I save a lot every day.”
Crucial to his success is an electric vehicle (EV) charging station located right by a busy bus depot. He charges his scooter during lunch hours, minimizing downtime. “Most of my afternoon and evening rides start from here. Having a charger nearby means I’m always ready when passengers arrive,” Subodh said.
This small but strategic station has helped Subodh stabilize his income and embrace the EV revolution unfolding on Delhi’s streets.
This revolution is a long journey, and India’s urban areas are certainly the first stop.
Urban areas have the highest EV adoption rates in India
If you examine the EV adoption trends of India, there is a pattern. Urban hubs have a higher concentration of EVs in the country. Tier 1 cities are driving the majority of registrations, with Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai emerging as the top 3 in EV 4 wheeler sales in FY 24-25. This pattern highlights that urban India is the leader in EV adoption. But even here, EVs are still less of a popular choice than ICE vehicles. This is mainly owing to a shortage in readily accesible charging infrastructure. For EV adoption to move from niche to mainstream, public charging in cities must take the lead.
EV drivers need chargers beyond homes and offices
Home charging is convenient, but it is not a universal solution. Apartment dwellers without dedicated parking, or people working in older buildings without retrofit options cannot charge their vehicles there, making public EV charging essential for wider EV adoption.
Think about how city life works. People spend long hours in malls, markets, and places like event venues. These locations naturally double up as EV charging points, because the vehicles are already parked there. For commercial drivers, whether it’s taxis, e-rickshaws, or delivery fleets, the reliance on public infrastructure in transit hubs is even more substantial. Airports, railway stations, and bus depots are not just convenient; they are critical lifelines to keep vehicles running without costly downtime.
There’s also the matter of range confidence. EV drivers want the assurance that they can complete their journeys without worry. Public EV charging provides that safety net. And the scale-up is urgent.
EV chargers should be placed in urban public places
Public charging in urban areas creates multiple benefits. The case becomes stronger when broken down into four clear advantages:
Builds Range confidence
One of the biggest concerns for any electric vehicle owner is the fear of running out of charge in the middle of nowhere. A dense network of EV charging stations reassures drivers that they can complete their trips without disruption, making EVs practical for both everyday commutes and longer city journeys.
Enables Accessibility & Inclusivity
Not every household has the luxury of a dedicated parking space or the infrastructure to install a private charger. Public charging bridges this gap. By providing access to all, it encourages adoption across different socio-economic groups rather than limiting it to those with well-equipped homes. In cities where space is a premium, public EV chargers level the playing field, ensuring that clean mobility is not restricted to the privileged few.
Boosts public infrastructure utilisation
Urban centres are dotted with spaces where vehicles are left parked for hours, such as shopping malls, offices, and transit hubs. These locations are ideal for charging because the idle time is put to productive use. A car parked for four hours at a mall, for example, can leave with a full charge while its owner shops or watches a movie. This model ensures the chargers are used efficiently, maximising returns for charge point operators (CPOs).
Drives an economic angle
Beyond mobility, public EV chargers open up fresh revenue streams. Charging fees, advertising displays, and partnerships with retail outlets create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Food stalls and retail outlets see an increase in sales when EV drivers spend time waiting for their vehicles to charge. <30-40%> In this way, EV chargers do more than power vehicles. They power local economies, while simultaneously pushing the shift toward sustainable urban living.
It is a profitable business model
The profitability of urban charging is not theoretical; it’s already being realised across multiple types of locations:
- Shopping malls
Shopping malls have emerged as natural hotspots for EV charging. With dwell times stretching up to four hours, users can plug in their cars while catching a movie, shopping, or dining. For mall operators, the benefit goes far beyond sustainability positioning. Revenue flows in through charging fees, typically ranging from ₹15 to ₹25 per kWh, along with advertising opportunities around the charging bays. Most importantly, retail spending rises as customers linger longer while waiting for their vehicles to charge. Properties such as Phoenix Marketcity in Mumbai, Lulu Mall in Kochi, and Orion Mall in Bengaluru are already proving how destination charging can become a profitable addition to the retail experience.
- Transit hubs
Transit hubs such as metro stations, airports, and bus depots are redefining the economics of public charging. Here, utilisation is high because vehicles arrive and depart throughout the day, keeping chargers consistently active. This reliability allows operators like Uber Green to integrate charging seamlessly into their electric fleet operations. At the same time, metros and airports enjoy steady revenue streams through session fees and long-term fleet contracts. The Delhi Metro’s Park & Charge initiative and Mumbai Airport’s fast-charging facilities serve as strong examples of how transit nodes can double as energy supply points for both commuters and commercial fleets.
- Hospitals and universities
Hospitals and universities provide another compelling case for public charging. These are places where vehicles are typically parked for long stretches, making them ideal for slow or moderate charging without inconveniencing users. For the institutions, modest session fees translate into incremental revenue while reinforcing their image as progressive, sustainability-driven establishments. Apollo Hospital in Chennai and IIT Madras have already taken early steps, setting up pilot chargers for patients, staff, and students, turning essential infrastructure into a tool for green branding and goodwill.
- Municipal parking lots
City-managed parking spaces are being reimagined as dual-purpose facilities that integrate both parking and charging. By bundling the two services, municipalities create a seamless experience for EV users while securing a revenue percentage from every charging session. This not only boosts the adoption of clean mobility but also strengthens the city’s sustainable infrastructure credentials. Locations such as Connaught Place in Delhi, Surat Smart City, and Bengaluru’s municipal car parks illustrate how public authorities are making urban parking smarter, more functional, and future-ready.
- Stadiums and event venues
Large-scale venues such as stadiums and convention centres bring a unique twist to EV charging demand. Event days drive sudden surges in utilisation, with thousands of fans or visitors converging at once. For operators, this creates opportunities not just through charging fees but also via sponsorships and branding, as chargers double up as visible green marketing assets. Just look at the crowds of Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium during cricket matches. Placing EV chargers here would mean good revenue for CPOs. It would also elevate the brand image of these venues, by positioning them as a part of the sustainable mobility ecosystem.
Government initiatives are supportive of this
The policy tailwinds for this are substantial. FAME II sanctioned ₹800 crore for more than 7,400 chargers. The upcoming FAME III is expected to widen that support. The Ministry of Power has set guidelines for dense city coverage, stipulating one charger per square kilometre. Meanwhile, state governments and municipalities in Delhi, Karnataka, and Maharashtra are implementing requirements for charging stations in malls, parking lots, and transit hubs.
A highly successful example of this is the Delhi PPP model – which scaled profitably even though it provided EV users with the cheapest charging fee in the world. Around 100 sites in the city were identified by aggregating land parcels from DMRC, DTC, DJB and other agencies.
The government defrayed infrastructure costs by providing 100 kW grid connections at each site. But all operators had to adopt shared data/protocol standards for an interoperable network.
Because high-potential locations were bundled together with infrastructure support, the opportunity became attractive to multiple bidders. This intense competition eventually drove prices down, with the winning service fee dropping to just ₹2/kWh.
Around 900 chargers were deployed in these 100 sites, making Delhi’s EV charging network one of the fastest growing in the country.
4 things are necessary for deploying EV chargers in urban public spaces
Four essentials that determine whether urban charging infrastructure succeeds are:
- Site Selection: Chargers should be placed where people naturally spend time, such as in malls, metro stations, and office complexes. This ensures usage and builds confidence.
- Grid Readiness: Charging must not overload city networks. Smart load management, renewable integration, and faster DISCOM approvals make infrastructure both reliable and sustainable.
- Charger Mix: EV charging stations need a balance, AC chargers for regular commuters who park for hours, and DC fast chargers for fleets and high-turnover users.
- Interoperability and Customer Experience: Universal standards, seamless UPI payments, app-based discovery, and clear signage make the process frictionless. On the business side, models such as public-private partnerships, retail tie-ups, and franchising help sustain the economics.
EV charging stations in urban public areas create a win-win for everyone; by providing convenient access for electric vehicle owners and supporting cleaner, sustainable urban environments. Their presence encourages further adoption of EVs, creating a virtuous cycle benefiting public health, local businesses, and city infrastructure.
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FAQs
1. Why are public EV charging stations important in cities?
Public charging stations fill a critical gap, especially for apartment dwellers and commercial drivers who lack access to home or workplace chargers. They provide convenient, accessible charging options at malls, transit hubs, parking lots, and other urban spaces, enabling wider EV adoption and reducing range anxiety.
2. Which urban public spaces are best suited for EV charger installation?
Ideal sites include shopping malls, metro stations, bus depots, airports, hospitals, universities, municipal parking lots, parks, and event venues. These places have high footfall and long vehicle dwell times, making them perfect for productive EV charging.
3. What government initiatives support public EV charging infrastructure in India?
Schemes like FAME II and FAME III offer subsidies and incentives to expand EV and charging infrastructure. The Ministry of Power mandates dense urban charger deployment with guidelines for at least one charger per square kilometer. Several states also have policies promoting charging infra at public parking, malls, and transit hubs.
4. How does the Delhi PPP model exemplify successful public EV charging deployment?
Delhi’s PPP pooled land from metro, bus, and utility agencies to install 900 chargers at key urban sites, balancing AC chargers for long-duration parking and DC fast chargers for fleet needs. Fast grid approvals, deferred rentals, open standards like OCPP, and UPI payments enabled affordable, reliable charging at tariffs as low as ₹2/kWh.
5. What factors are critical for deploying effective EV chargers in urban public spaces?
Key considerations include strategic site selection based on traffic and dwell time, grid readiness with smart load management, a balanced charger mix (AC and DC fast), interoperability standards, seamless payment options, and customer-friendly signage and app support. Successful business models often involve PPPs, retail partnerships, and pay-per-use pricing.
GLOSSARY
AC Charger (Alternating Current Charger)
A type of EV charger that delivers electricity as alternating current, typically used for slow or regular charging where vehicles are parked for several hours, such as malls or office complexes.
BSES, Tata Power, EESL
Key electricity distribution companies and organizations involved in EV charging infrastructure development in India.
DC Fast Charger (Direct Current Fast Charger)
A high-power charger that supplies direct current to electric vehicles, enabling rapid charging within a short time frame, ideal for transit hubs and fleet vehicles.
Delhi PPP Model (Public-Private Partnership)
A strategic initiative in Delhi combining land and resources from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), and Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to deploy EV chargers across 100 high-footfall sites including metro stations, depots, and malls, using a collaborative model to ensure affordable, scalable, and reliable charging.
DISCOM (Distribution Company)
A company responsible for the delivery of electricity to consumers and grid management within specific geographic areas.
DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation)
The state-owned enterprise managing the Delhi Metro system, involved in public EV charging infrastructure deployment.
DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation)
The public bus transport service provider in Delhi, also collaborating in deploying chargers at bus depots.
DJB (Delhi Jal Board)
Delhi’s municipal agency responsible for water supply, which contributed land for charging infrastructure in the Delhi PPP model.
EV (Electric Vehicle)
A vehicle powered by electric motors using energy stored in batteries, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and emissions.
EV Adoption
The uptake or penetration rate of electric vehicles within a market or region.
EV Charging Station
A physical location equipped with one or more EV chargers where electric vehicles can recharge their batteries.
FAME II / FAME III (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles)
Government of India subsidy schemes aimed at promoting electric and hybrid vehicle adoption through incentives for vehicles and charging infrastructure deployment.
Grid Readiness
The capability of the electricity grid to support additional load from EV chargers without compromising reliability or causing overloads.
Interoperability
The ability for EV charging stations and networks to work seamlessly with different vehicle makes, payment methods, and service providers, often enabled by standards like OCPP.
Metro Station / Transit Hub
High-traffic public transport points such as metro stations, bus depots, and airports ideal for EV charging infrastructure due to constant vehicle turnover and passenger flow.
OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol)
An open international communication standard for EV chargers that ensures compatibility and interoperability across different networks and operators.
Park & Charge
A charging model where EV drivers can park their vehicles at transit stations or parking lots and charge their vehicles while away, often used to support multimodal travel.
PPP Model (Public-Private Partnership)
A collaborative model where government and private entities share resources, risks, and rewards to develop infrastructure projects efficiently.
Range Confidence
The assurance that EV drivers have access to sufficient charging infrastructure along their routes, reducing “range anxiety” or fear of battery depletion.
Renewable Integration
The use of clean energy sources like solar and wind to power EV charging stations, enhancing sustainability.
Session Fee
A charge collected from EV users for a single charging session at a public EV charging station.
Site Selection
The strategic process of choosing optimal locations for installing EV chargers, considering traffic flow, dwell time, visibility, safety, and accessibility.
Smart Load Management
Technology-enabled distribution of electrical load to prevent grid overloads during peak demand, especially important for managing multiple high-power chargers.
Tariff (₹ / kWh)
The price charged to EV users per unit of electricity consumed (kilowatt-hour) at charging stations.
UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
A real-time payment system widely used in India that facilitates easy and instant money transfer, integrated into EV charging payments for convenience.
Urban Municipal Models
City-level initiatives in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, etc., creating local frameworks and public-private partnerships to deploy and manage EV charging infrastructure.
Here’s a consolidated Bibliography with all the external sources we referenced in this thread. I’ve kept the style consistent with what you already listed:
Bibliography
- DDC Delhi (Dialogue and Development Commission). Delhi EV Policy Implementation and PPP Framework for Charging Stations. Transport Department, GNCTD.
- FICCI & Yes Bank (2023). Driving ZEV Transition: India’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Outlook 2023. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry.
- RMI India (Rocky Mountain Institute) (2023). EV Charging Infrastructure: Business Models for India. RMI India.
- CII – Confederation of Indian Industry (2023). Scaling up India’s EV Charging Infrastructure. CII Research Reports.
- CEEW – Council on Energy, Environment and Water (2023). State EV Policies and Charging Infrastructure Market Opportunities in India. CEEW Publications.
- Forvis Consulting (2024). Reliability Challenges in India’s Public EV Charging Infrastructure. Forvis Energy Reports.
- Times of India / Economic Times (2023–2024). News reports on state EV policies (Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka).