The new made-in-India EV charging standard for bikes and scooters: here’s why it matters

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Msc

Context:

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has approved an indigenously developed AC and DC combined charging connector standard {ISI7017 (Part 2 / Sec 7): 2023} for light electric vehicles (LEVs) such as scooters, bikes, and rickshaws.

About the new standard- ISI7017 (Part 2 / Sec 7): 2023:

Developed by: NITI Aayog, the Department of Science and Technology, electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy, and various other government and industry stakeholders.
It is the first in the world that combines alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) for LEVs. Combined AC and DC charging standards for electric four-wheelers are already in use around the world.

Why is a national standard needed for India?

EV makers in India are not mandated to follow a specific standard for charging connectors, thus different automakers use different charging connectors for their vehicles.
- Example: Ola’s proprietary Hyperchargers are designed for charging Ola Electric scooters only. Ather Energy’s open source charging standard is used by its own scooters and by Hero Vida V1 e-scooters.
Too many charging standards for EVs makes it difficult for public charging stations to cater to each individual type, thus adding to range anxiety — the fear that the vehicle would run out of charge, and there will be nowhere to recharge it.
Even now the new standard does not mandate EV makers to use a uniform standard that can help address range anxiety and promote faster adoption of EVs.

What is the situation in other countries around the world?

CHINA: World’s largest electric car market in terms of both sales and vehicles on the road, uses a national standard for EV charging connectors that is called GB/T.
UNITED STATES: The US does not have a national standard as of now.
EUROPE: In Europe, CCS is the predominant charging connector standard, and is also a European Union (EU) requirement for EV charging networks.
JAPAN: Charging standard is called CHAdeMO, a charging standard developed in 2010.

Source: IE