Nearly half of Indian households need electrical upgrades for EV charging: Report

Nearly 45% of Indian households require electrical upgrades to safely charge electric vehicles (EVs), according to a new study by the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) and Kazam. The finding comes as governments across India, including Delhi, intensify efforts to accelerate EV adoption through stricter policies on conventional vehicles.

Delhi has already announced plans to stop registrations of new CNG and petrol-powered three-wheelers from January 2027 and new petrol-powered two-wheelers from April 2028. Against this backdrop, the study highlights critical infrastructure challenges that could slow the transition to electric mobility.

The study analysed more than 80,000 residential EV charger installations across tier-I, tier-II and tier-III cities, covering independent houses, apartment complexes, informal settlements and shared rental housing, as per a report in the Times of India. Researchers found that while discussions around EV adoption often focus on vehicle sales and public charging networks, residential charging faces several overlooked barriers linked to electrical infrastructure, housing design, governance and socio-economic conditions.


According to the study, much of India's residential electrical infrastructure was not designed to support the additional load created by EV charging. The installation of multiple chargers in residential areas can overload local circuits, leading to issues such as circuit breaker trips, voltage fluctuations, overheating wires, transformer failures and power outages.

The study identified several obstacles to residential EV charging. These include the lack of dedicated parking spaces, particularly in densely populated urban centres, the absence of clear guidelines for retrofitting older buildings, concerns over fire safety, uncertainty regarding liability in case of technical failures and the high upfront cost of electrical upgrades.

A power distribution company official cited in the report said that only a small proportion of EV users in Delhi have dedicated parking spaces. Most vehicle owners rely on common parking areas in residential complexes or park on public streets, making the installation of dedicated charging infrastructure significantly more challenging.

To address these issues, the study recommended the creation of a unified regulatory framework that brings together existing standards, building regulations and EV charging guidelines. Researchers said such a framework could provide a common implementation pathway for residential charging infrastructure across different housing formats.

The report also noted that residential charging is only one part of the broader EV adoption challenge. Limited public charging infrastructure, restricted access to charging facilities and concerns over battery range and battery life continue to affect consumer confidence and EV uptake.

Policymakers have previously indicated that EV batteries typically last around seven to eight years, or approximately 1.2 lakh to 1.3 lakh kilometres. Given that vehicles are generally registered for 15 years, many EV owners may need at least one battery replacement during the vehicle's lifespan, adding another cost consideration for consumers.

The findings suggest that achieving large-scale EV adoption will require more than policy support and vehicle incentives. Strengthening residential electrical infrastructure and addressing practical charging challenges may prove equally important in supporting India's transition to electric mobility.