The Cost of Charging an Electric Car in India

Switching to an electric car shields you from rising petrol and diesel expenses. But the big question is, are electric cars really convenient when it comes to charging? With modern EV tech, charging at home or public stations is much easier now. If you are eyeing buying an electric car, it is important to know about the Cost of Charging Electric Car in India. Here are the facts on charging convenience and costs in India.

 

How to Charge an Electric Car?

Electric cars can be charged in different ways at home, at public destinations, or in the office. The common ways of charging the electric car include the following:

 

1. Charging at Home

At home, you have the option to use a Type 1 AC charger connected to a standard AC socket or get the manufacturer to install a wall box or Type 2 charger for faster charging convenience. These methods make it convenient for electric vehicle owners to charge their cars in residential settings.

 

 

2. Charging at Public Stations

Charging your electric cars in public places like cinemas and supermarkets has now become a reality. Most public charging station offers a 7kW charging capacity, and this provides an approximate driving range of 30 to 50 kmph for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs). 

 

In some Electric Car Charging Stations, you will need to bring the charging cable and may be required to download a specific mobile app for the charging process. In some stations, you can simply plug in the cable and charge your electric cars.

 

 

3. Charging at Workplace

Charging your electric vehicle at your workplace is just as convenient as charging it at home. Usually, workplace charging stations have standard Type 2 sockets, where you simply need to connect your own charging cable to charge your electric cars.

 

According to the company's policies and setup, you can initiate the charging process by either swiping a card or using a smartphone application. This workplace charging option offers a practical and accessible way to keep their electric cars charged during working hours.

 

Charging Cost of Electric Cars

The battery capacity of most electric vehicles in India usually comes within the range of 20 to 40 kWh. When charging your electric cars at home, the cost is influenced by the particular state's electricity rate, which varies from Rs 8 to Rs 10 per unit. 

 

For instance, Electric Car Charging Cost in charging stations in Delhi is, on average, around Rs 4 per kWh, whereas domestic rates can be anywhere between Rs 2 to Rs 9 per unit. This means that charging your electric car at a public station could cost you between Rs 100 and Rs 200, and charging at home may range from Rs 180 to Rs 500. 

 

The time needed to charge an electric car depends on factors like the car model, battery size, and the charging speed of the point. In general, it may take around 60 minutes to reach an 80% charge, but this timeframe can vary. The use of a rapid charger can significantly reduce this charging time, usually by 30 to 40 minutes.

 

Types of Chargers for Electric Cars

In general, there are three charging types, and they are:

1. Rapid Electric Car Chargers

Rapid electric car chargers use high-power AC (Alternating Current) or DC (Direct Current) to quickly charge an EV battery. Depending on your EV's model, a rapid charger can charge the battery from 0 to 80% capacity in just 20 minutes. However, certain modern electric cars may take approximately an hour to reach 80%, even when using a rapid charger. 

 

It is important to note that once an EV charges 80%, the charging speed slows down. This change is to safeguard the battery from internal damage and improve overall charging efficiency. Please note that rapid chargers work only with electric cars that support rapid charging technology.

 

 

2. Fast Electric Car Chargers

Fast electric car chargers commonly operate on AC. The charging speed is based on the charger's capacity and the specific vehicle model. Usually, a 7 kW fast charger can efficiently recharge a 40 kW EV battery from 0 to 100% in 4 to 6 hours. A 22 kW fast charger can do the same charge in just 1 to 2 hours.

 

Making sure your electric car's battery compatibility with a 22 kW or 7 kW charging station is important for good performance. While fast electric car chargers are commonly found in public charging, they can also be installed at home for personal use. Both portable and hardwired options are available in the market for various user preferences and needs.

 

3. Regular Electric Car Chargers

Regular electric car chargers are the common choice for Electric Car Home Charging. These chargers have a slower charging speed compared to rapid or fast chargers, so overnight charging is the most suitable approach.

 

With a charging rate ranging from 3 kW to 6 kW, regular electric car chargers usually need 8 to 12 hours to fully charge an electric vehicle from 0 to 100%. Users have the flexibility to select either a portable or hardwired regular EV charger.

 

Finding Nearby Charging Stations

Nowadays, the use of electric vehicles has increased, and so have the electric charging portals. Finding an electric charging portal is easy with the online tools and apps available.

Using Google Maps: Open Google Maps and search “EV charging station near me.” It will provide you with a list of nearby charging stations and reviews.

Government and Utility Portals: The E-Amrit Portal is a government initiative listing EV charging locations. The state electricity board also provides a list of charging station details.  

Vehicle manufacturing Apps: Most electric vehicle manufacturers have a charging point locator in their manual, official website or app.

Public Charging Stations: EV charging points are available in public places like shopping malls, parking lots, metro stations, and office complexes.
 

Home Charging vs. Public Charging

There are several choices for charging your electric vehicles nowadays. Due to the increase in the use of EVs, the number of charging stations has increased. Public charging stations have also increased, and charging your EV even when you’re at work is easy. Public charging stations provide quick service and provide convenience, speed, and cost factors.

The most frequent and effective way to charge your EV is at home. You will require an ordinary wall socket or a dedicated EV charging port. A standard socket is sufficient for occasional charging, but dedicated chargers can reduce the charging time and are efficient.

In the case of home charging, EV owners prefer overnight charging or when they park their EVs for a longer duration. This is because it provides comfort and need not look for a charging station and home charging ports can take a longer time to charge. Home charging is cheapest as it follows domestic electricity rates and it is also convenient and no waiting time is required.

Public charging ports are blooming due to the increase in EVs. People charge their vehicles near their workplaces. They can utilise their break times to charge or during their working hours as it is fast compared to home charging ports. Additionally, you can also monitor the charging of your vehicle in real time in certain public charging stations. There are pros and cons of public and home charging ports. However, the cost of public charging is high due to commercial electricity rates.

 

Benefits of charging your electric car at home

Charging your EV vehicles at home is convenient and cost-effective. The benefits of charging your electric car at home are listed below.

• Home electricity rates are lower when compared to public charging stations.
• You will be able to avoid service fees, when charging in a public station.
• You can charge your vehicle any time without waiting in line at a public station.
• Home charging is usually slower than public charging stations. However, AC (alternate current) charging at home is gentler than fast DC (direct current) charging in public stations, which helps extend battery life.
• Charging at home reduces the risk of theft and tampering. Your vehicle is charged in a controlled environment without any extreme weather conditions.
• If you have a solar panel, you can charge your EVs at home, reducing your carbon footprint even further.

Home charging is convenient and also better for your EV battery health. If you drive an EV vehicle daily, installing a home charger is a smart long-term investment.

The cost-efficiency advantage of electric cars

Electric cars provide a cost-efficiency advantage over traditional gasoline vehicles. So, if you are looking for a budget-friendly and eco-friendly option, you can choose an electric vehicle.

Lowers fuel cost

Charging an EV is significantly cheaper than fuel costs. On average, electricity charges for charging an EV are cost-effective, and home charging can even save more.
 

Lower running cost

The running cost of EVs is comparatively lower than that of petrol or diesel vehicles. EVs run on electricity, unlike traditional vehicles that use fossil fuels like petrol or diesel. Electric vehicles are the most cost-efficient, and charging an electric vehicle is also cheaper than filling petrol or diesel. Additionally, renewable sources are eco-friendly, and the cost of charging is significantly less with solar panels installed at home.

Low maintenance cost

EVs have lower maintenance costs as they do not have as many moving parts as internal combustion vehicles. Service charges and requirements are also lower than those for conventional diesel or petrol vehicles. 

Zero Tailpipe Emission

Driving an electric vehicle lowers carbon footprint with zero tailpipe emission. You can also reduce the impact by charging the EV at home.

Tax and financial benefits

The registration fee and road tax for purchasing an EV is lesser when compared to diesel or petrol vehicles. Government provides multiple incentives and policies for EVs depending on the state of purchase.

Conclusion

The cost of Charging an Electric Car in India is influenced by several factors, including the type of charging station. Are you considering buying an electric car? Don't forget to insure it. Shriram General Insurance provides insurance coverage for electric cars. For more detailed information and to find your insurance options for electric cars, visit the Shriram General Insurance website. 

 

FAQs

1. How Often You Must Charge Your Electric Cars?

Charging frequency for electric vehicles varies based on driving habits and battery capacity. Usually, charging between two to three days is sufficient for many electric cars.

 

2. How Can You Find the Nearest Public Charging Station for Electric Cars?

Finding the nearest public electric charging station is made easy through mobile apps, and you can also find the charging stations on online sites and maps.

 

3. How Safe Is It to Charge Electric Cars at Home?

Charging your electric cars at home is secure if you follow the safety guidelines provided by the manufacturer and use appropriate equipment. It is important to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and consult a qualified person for installation and maintenance.