The new made-in-India EV charging standard for bikes and scooters: here’s why it matters
- October 26, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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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