How to Start an EV Charging Station in India: Costs Licenses Incentives & Profit Guide 2025

India’s EV Boom A Huge Business Opportunity

India is moving quickly toward an electric vehicle (EV) revolution. By 2030 the EV market is expected to grow at a 49% CAGR with nearly 50 million EVs on the road. Yet only 3,000 public charging stations operate today which is far below demand. This gap creates a powerful opportunity for entrepreneurs to launch profitable EV charging stations.

Why Invest in an EV Charging Station Business

1. Fast-Growing Market

• Market size $1.45 billion in 2021 projected $15 billion by 2027
• Government target 30% EV penetration by 2030

2. Government Support

• FAME II subsidies tax breaks and relaxed regulations
• States such as Maharashtra Delhi and Karnataka offer extra incentives and land-use benefits

3. Strong Revenue Potential

• A single station can earn ₹1 to 1.5 lakh per month serving 20 to 30 vehicles daily depending on location

Step-by-Step Guide to Start an EV Charging Business

1. Research Your Market

• Target audience Private EV owners or fleet operators
• Prime locations Highways malls offices residential hubs
• Competition check Study existing charging points and pricing

2. Select a Business Model

• Standalone Station Full ownership higher risk and reward
• Franchise Partner with brands like Tata Power EZ Charge for lower risk
• Public Private Partnership (PPP) Collaborate with government under FAME II

3. Estimate Setup Costs for EV Station Business

• Basic AC setup ₹10 to 15 lakh
• Advanced DC setup ₹35 to 50 lakh

4. Obtain Key Approvals

• No Objection Certificate from municipality or DISCOM
• High-capacity electricity connection
• Fire safety clearance
• Compliance with CEA guidelines

5. Use Government Incentives

• FAME II subsidy up to 70% off charging equipment
• State grants such as in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu
• Only 5% GST on charging services

6. Install Reliable Equipment

• AC chargers Offices and residential sites
• DC fast chargers Highways and commercial hubs
• Trusted brands ABB Exicom Tritium

7. Build a Revenue Model

• Charging fees ₹10 to ₹20 per kWh
• Partnerships with fleet operators like Ola and Uber
• Ads food kiosks and Wi-Fi to increase earnings
• Example 20 vehicles per day × 30 kWh × ₹15 = ₹2.7 lakh per month

Challenges to Expect

• High initial investment partly offset by subsidies
• Finding affordable prime land
• Electricity tariffs varying by state
• Customer awareness and marketing

Inspiring Success Stories

• Tata Power EZ Charge 3,600 plus stations in 450 cities
• Fortum India Extensive DC fast-charging network along highways and urban centers
• Statiq – Fast-growing public charging network with app-based access across cities and highways.
• Charge+Zone – Provides high-speed EV charging corridors and fleet charging infrastructure.
• Zeon Charging – Focuses on highway fast-charging stations in South India.
• Magenta ChargeGrid – Offers solar-integrated smart charging stations and grid management.
• EVRE – End-to-end charging infrastructure provider with smart O&M services.
• Bolt.Earth – Manufactures IoT-enabled AC chargers for homes and businesses.
• Exicom – Supplies DC fast chargers and battery-swapping solutions for fleets.
• Delta Electronics India – Global power electronics company delivering high-power EV chargers.
• ABB India – Provides heavy-duty DC fast chargers for public and commercial use.
• Okaya Power – Manufactures a wide range of AC and DC chargers with pan-India service.
• Fortum India – Operates rapid-charging networks and turnkey solutions for enterprises.
• goEgoNetwork – Community-driven smart charging platform with subscription models.
• Volttic – Offers turnkey EV charging station installation and maintenance.
• PlugNGo – End-to-end CPO service for residential, commercial, and fleet charging.
• Numocity – Specializes in software and energy management for EV charging operators.

Bottom Line

India’s EV transition is accelerating and EV charging stations are a high-growth future-proof business. With the right location model and incentives you can earn strong returns while supporting a greener economy.

Need help starting
We assist with government loans pitch decks and MSME certification so you can launch your EV charging venture with confidence.

Disclaimer Information sourced from government portals and reputable industry reports