After receiving comments and views from stakeholders through a public hearing held on March 7, 2019, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has now approved the tariffs for electric vehicle (EV) charging in Uttar Pradesh.

Representatives from Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL), Mahindra and UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad, shared their comments and views on the tariffs proposed earlier this year. Mercom had reported on UPERC proposing tariffs for EV charging stations in the state.

Domestic consumers

According to the tariff order, all metered residential consumers under LMV-1 (Light Motor Vehicle) category will be allowed to charge EVs at their residences as long as the EV charging load does not exceed the contracted load for that residence. Tariffs that are applicable as per the rate schedule will be applicable for EV charging as well.

Multi-story buildings

Residents in multi-story buildings are required to install an EV charging station which would have a separate connection. Tariff for such buildings is as follows:

Light Motor Vehicle – LMV

Heavy vehicles – HV

Public charging stations

In addition to the approved tariffs, public charging station consumers will also be required to pay one-time charges wherever applicable. Below are the tariffs for EV charging at public charging stations:

Low Tension – LT

High Tension – HT

The tariff order has also listed changes in energy charges according to time of day (TOD) structure for winter and summer months as follows:

Other Consumers

Consumers under other categories (any metered consumers of LMV-2(a), LMV2(c),  LMV-4, LMV-6, LMV-7, LMV-8 (metered), LMV-9 (metered), HV-I (excluding multi-storey buildings covered under LMV-1b & HV-1b of the Rate Schedule), HV-2, HV- 3 and HV-4), will be charged as per the tariff applicable for their respective category. These consumers will not need to take a separate connection; they are allowed to charge vehicles within their respective connections, provided the load of EV does not exceed the connected or contracted load.

Recently, Mercom reported on the Union Cabinet approving a ₹100 billion ($1.41 billion) proposal for the implementation of a program titled ‘Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II)’ aimed towards the promotion of electric mobility in the country.

The FAME program proposes establishing charging infrastructure, through which, about 2,700 charging stations will be established in metros, other million plus (population) cities, smart cities, and cities in hilly states across the country so that there is availability of at least one charging station in a grid of 3 kilometers (km) x 3 km.

However, EV sales have been inconsistent under the FAME program. While some states have made good progress, many states are well behind in EV adoption.

Shaurya is a staff reporter at MercomIndia.com with experience working in the Indian solar energy industry for the past four years in various roles. Prior to joining Mercom, Shaurya worked with a renewable energy developer and a consulting company. Shaurya holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.