To get the best life from the battery, it is desirable to gently charge them (in three to six hours), and it can be done in places where vehicles are parked for a long time. Overnight Charge At home and during the day in office parking slots, therefore, not only the most convenient, but also the best.
Also read: Network Network: Data system can change India’s power supply
This is done using alternative current (AC) chargers with power ratings of 3 kW (KW), 7KW, 11KW or 22K. While two- and three-wheelers may require only 3kw charger, cars and large vehicles will require high-rate charger. Most Indian cars today use 7KW or 11kw Chargers and can go up to 22kw in the near future.
On the other hand, for a long-distance travel or when someone is in a hurry, to charge cars and large vehicles require a sharp charger of any high strength-painting, which can juice-up a vehicle in 30 to 60 minutes. Their use never hurts the life of the battery.
A fair number of direct current (DC) fast chargers, charging between 30kw and 120kw, is already deployed at 85% of Indian highways. These fast chargers have also been deployed in places like malls and parking buildings in various cities. Someone needs a single mobile app that can tell EV drivers where these chargers are placed, no matter which operator they are, and allow drivers to reserve them. Such apps are being available.
The question is whether the deployment of public chargers is financially viable today. While it is getting better, a feasibility difference still exists. This difference will disappear as the number of EVs on the roads increases.
The current incentive schemes are likely to be seen through it to deploy chargers rapidly in public places. However, the issue is slightly more complicated for AC slow chargers. Here various ways to encourage their deployment.
Also read: Honda Risk becomes a third wheel with its new electric scooter strategy in India
FirstAs mentioned earlier, the best place to use EV charger is at home. If a customer wants to deploy it to his dedicated parking location, he can purchase and install low -cost 3KW charging equipment, as a vehicle will probably be parked for a long time to charge.
SecondFor residential housing complexes, the builder or Welfare Association of the Complex must compulsorily install some chargers for the residents.
A mixture of 3/7/11kw AC Chargers can be installed, and EV users can be asked to pay at the fixed rate for the time period of charging along the rate fixed by electricity. The system of payment should be such that it enables the builder or association to recover the capital expenditure made in establishing charging facilities within 12 to 15 months.
At the same time, it should encourage the user to separate the vehicle from the charger as soon as its battery is fully charged, so that other people can use it. Office and commercial complexes should also compulsorily establish such public chargers. Users can be charged with similar tariffs.
ThreeIt is important to use a suitable source of electricity. If one uses the normal area power line for the purpose of EV charging, then the electricity rate (including demand fees) will be higher.
This is the place where power distribution companies (discoms) come, as they also have a role in promoting EVS. This would be the best if a discom provides a separate and special EV power line (EVPL) with special tariffs for residential and commercial complexes.
These lines are especially used for low-Shakti EV Chargers (3/7/11KW installation), fulfilled with power meters and the ability to communicate directly with discom on wireless 4G/5G telecom network. When at any time exceeds the total electricity drawn on EVPL, the line can be just cut off what the meters show on connected EV chargers.
FourA simple power tariff for EVPL chargers can be desirable for structure 4 more 6 per unit (KWH), and zero demand fees during off-pick and peak hours respectively. There may be a provision in such a system that enables discom to send a message to all connected chargers whenever it faces power shortage whenever it reduces the maximum charging rate (and is buying power at high rates). This variability will help Discom to balance power supply and electricity demand in peak hours.
Also read: Mint Quick Edit | Tesla Suspense: Is Musk’s EV brand ready to roll?
While in many states, there is a policy of providing special power lines to charge EVS, their approach is less than what is necessary. It is advisable to take a new approach to provide dedicated EV charging lines through single-window systems in residential and commercial complexes.
This can help accelerate the installation of EV chargers in such complexes and thus adopting EVS in the country. This will not overburd the electric disc, but will definitely help customers.
Policy action in this direction is highly desirable.
The author is Professor, IIT Madras and Chairman of the Institute.