With the rise of electric vehicle usage in the city, the need for EV charging stations in your community becomes crucial. But what are the guidelines and regulations that one must adhere to set up an EV charging station in your community?
In 2019, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs amended building codes to require EV charging stations in new private and commercial buildings. The Maharashtra EV Policy 2021 designates these charging stations as an ‘Amenity,’ directing the Urban Development Department and local bodies to identify locations for charging infrastructure, including at existing fuel stations, and reserve amenity spaces in City Development Plans. Housing societies must incorporate these provisions to ensure adequate EV charging infrastructure.
Setting up private charging stations at residences is permitted, with distribution companies (DISCOMs) facilitating the process. Urban local bodies are encouraged to offer property tax rebates for private charging infrastructure within residential premises. Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) must be type-tested by a reputable authority. Private car batteries can be charged using domestic charging points, with billing typically included in home/domestic metering.
At the Building premise levels (for various building types)
- Private charging infrastructure (non-commercial use) for individuals.
- For all commercial modes of charging EVs, at least 1 PCS, as per the minimum specifications laid under the MoP guidelines.
- Standalone Battery Swapping Stations may be added to the PCs.
Residential Buildings (plotted house)
Table 1: Charging Infrastructure requirements for individual house/ self-use
| Building Type | Plotted House |
|---|---|
| Ownership of Station | Private (Owner) |
| Connection and metering | Domestic meter |
| Type of charger | Slow chargers as per the owner’s specific requirement |
| Norms of provision | Min 1 SC and additional provisions as per the owner’s individual |
Any PCS installed in Public/Private areas or building premises of any category that caters to the commercial mode of charging of EVs shall be deemed as a Public Charging Station and shall have to install the minimum requirements of chargers as specified in the guidelines dated 14.12.2018 of the Ministry of Power (refer to Annexure IV for MoP
Guidelines. However, to provide sufficient charging points for the EV share in for all vehicles, the ratio of types of chargers is recommended in the table below –
| Building Type | Any building type |
|---|---|
| Ownership of Station | Service provider |
| Connection and metering | Commercial Metering and Payment |
| Type of charger | As per minimum requirements specified in the MoP Guidelines |
| Additional chargers | PCS service providers shall install an additional number of kiosks/chargers beyond the minimum specified requirements to meet the ratio of charging points as prescribed below (by the type of vehicle) |
| Norms of Provisions for Charging Points | 4Ws 1SC – each 3 EVs 1FC – each 10 Evs |
| 3Ws 1SC – each 2 EVs | |
| 2Ws 1 SC – 2 EVs |
Based on the occupancy pattern and the total parking provisions in the premises of the various building types, charging infrastructures shall be provided only for EVs, which are currently assumed to be 20% of all ‘vehicle holding capacity’/’parking capacity’ at the premises. Additionally, the building premises will have to have an additional power load, equivalent to the power required for all charging points.
For the safe and effective Functioning of the EV Charging Stations (EVCS), the following guidelines must be followed:
- Charging stations installed by Housing societies, provided that such stations meet the technical, Safety as well as performance standards and protocols laid down by the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources) Amendment Regulations 2019 and Central Electricity Authority (Measures related to Safety and Electric Supply) Amendment Regulations 2019) Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006 and Directives issued from Urban Local Bodies Time to time.
- All the electrical installation work for the charging station shall be carried out by the Licensed Electrical Contractor approved by the state government of Maharashtra.
- Where multiple chargers are in use, there should be clear and prominent notices at each charging point indicating for which equipment or vehicle(s) i.e., AC or DC it is suitable.
- Where rapid charging points – known as DC fast charge and operating at 500V DC – are provided, they should be differentiated from conventional charging points because of the hazards associated with the direct current. Measures should be taken to ensure that signs and labels associated with these chargers are not removed or defaced.
- Where charging points are to be provided in multistorey car parks, consideration should be given to locating these in the open air at roof deck level to minimize the potential for fire spread within the structure.
- All electric vehicle charging points shall be installed so that any socket-outlet of supply is at least 800 millimeters above the Highest Flood level.
- The electric vehicle parking place shall be such that the connection to the vehicle when parked for charging shall be within five meters from the electric vehicle charging point.
- The charging point should be child-proof and preferably installed away from any children’s play area.
- Charging bays should be signed and marked prominently on the ground to allow vehicles to park close to the charging point and prevent the stretching of charging cables. The length of charging cables should be sufficient to allow their use with the intended equipment without risk of damage.
- Charging points should be protected against mechanical damage by vehicles. They should be installed above ground level and be located on a raised island, or be protected by Krebs, bollards, or metal barriers. Charging points should also be protected against the ingress of water and foreign objects.
- The parking of other vehicles in charging areas should be prohibited. In some cases, the introduction of barriers or other physical measures to prevent charging bays from being used as conventional parking spaces may need to be considered.
- Where it is not practicable to provide this degree of physical separation of a vehicle
charging area within a building, as mentioned above (and outside the premises), no charging should be undertaken within 10m of any combustible materials: be they waste materials, stock, or combustible elements of the structure. Similarly, no charging should be undertaken within 15m of hazardous installations such as transformers, flammable liquid stores, and liquefied petroleum gas tanks. - All chargers and associated equipment should be installed, used, and maintained by the manufacturer’s instructions. Servicing and maintenance should be carried out by a competent licensed electrician.
- Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) shall be type tested by an agency /lab accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) or any other regulatory authority for this purpose from time to time.
- Where the connection point is installed outdoors or in a damp location, the equipment shall have a degree of Ingress Protection Code following IEC 60529.