New central guidelines to slash e-vehicle charging costs with regulated rates

Thiruvananthapuram: The central government has announced new draft guidelines to regulate and reduce costs at e-vehicle charging stations. The Union Ministry of Power has proposed a unified rate structure to lower both charging and service fees. Under these new guidelines, the lowest rates are suggested from 9 am to 4 pm, with increased charges during nighttime.

Currently, charging stations have no set limits for rates and service charges, resulting in uniform fees regardless of the time of day. In Kerala, for instance, rates vary between Rs 18 and Rs 30 per unit, while the state's regulatory commission has set a base rate of Rs 5.50 per unit for electricity supplied to charging stations. The new central guidelines are expected to reduce these rates to a range of Rs 10 to Rs 27 per unit.

The new draft guidelines will remain in effect until March 31, 2026, and will only apply to public charging stations. Charging one’s own vehicle at home will continue at existing household rates.

Night rate may increase by 30 percent

According to the new central directive, e-vehicle charging stations may apply an additional charge of up to 30 percent for usage between 4 pm and 9 am. The maximum service charge for fast charging during the day is set at Rs 11.94 per unit, increasing to Rs 14.05 per unit after 4 pm. The final decision on these rates will consider feedback from State authorities. The service charges will vary for slow and fast charging.