India has made setting up EV charging simpler: under the Ministry of Power's 2024 guidelines, operating a charging station does not need a licence. A public station still involves several approvals, mostly around electricity supply, safety and the site itself.
Requirements vary by state, city and site. Use this as a general checklist, and confirm the exact steps with your DISCOM, state nodal agency and local authority.
The usual steps
| Step | What is involved |
|---|---|
| Site rights | Ownership, lease or agreement with the landowner, and any land-use requirements |
| Electricity connection | Application to the DISCOM for a new connection or load increase, with a separate meter for EV charging |
| Electrical design and safety | Design to applicable CEA safety regulations and standards; inspection and approval by the electrical inspector where required |
| Local permissions | Building, civil works or canopy permissions from the local body, as applicable |
| Fire safety | Fire safety measures and any required clearance, especially in buildings and basements |
| Commissioning | Testing and energisation, with test certificates |
| Registration | Listing the station on national and state databases, and the unified charging hub where required |
Electricity connection timelines
The 2024 guidelines allow charge point operators to apply for electricity connections and provide for penalties set by the regulator if distribution companies delay them. In practice, the connection is often the longest step, especially if a new transformer is needed, so apply early.
Tips to avoid delays
- Do a load study before applying, so the requested load is right first time.
- Prepare complete documents: site plans, single-line diagrams, ownership or lease papers and equipment details.
- Use chargers that meet the standards required for any subsidy you plan to claim.
- Keep every test certificate and approval; insurers and inspectors will ask for them.
How PxT can help
PxT Energies handles DISCOM applications, electrical design and approvals as part of our turnkey service.