EV Charging Compliance Checklist for CPOs in India: Complete Guide 

Charge Point Operators (CPOs) must comply with evolving central and state regulations for 2025–26. This checklist compiles key mandates for public, private/residential, and fleet charging setups, drawing on official guidelines (MoP/CEA/BIS/MoHUA/MHI, etc.) and examples from Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and other states. Each point below cites the relevant regulation or policy clause. CPOs should verify requirements with their legal teams and local authorities to ensure full compliance. 

1. Safety Standards & Electrical Clearances 

• CEA Safety Regulations: Install chargers per CEA Regulations 2010 (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply). Requirements include earth-leakage/interlock protection, emergency cut-offs, signage, and earthing per IS/IEC norms. Maintain a 1.25× safety margin on feeder capacity (MoHUA MBBL).

• BIS/ARAI Certification: Use only certified EVSE. AC chargers must meet IS 17017-1 & -2; DC chargers (50–200kW) must meet IS 17017-23 (with Part-24 comms), and low-power (<7kW) must meet IS 17017-25. Bharat AC001 or DC001 chargers must be BIS approved. Obtain ARAI AIS-138 compliance and a BIS license for each model. 

• Local DISCOM/Authority Approvals: Secure a new service connection or augment the existing load with the local distribution licensee. Follow utility-specific procedures (e.g., Karnataka BESCOM’s LT-6(c) tariff for EV charging). In multi-user setups, obtain individual or common connections as per KERC guidelines. Submit single-line diagrams and clearance from the electrical inspector. 

• Fire & Building Safety: Comply with National Building Code (NBC) requirements for fire and electrical safety. Obtain a fire NOC if mandated by local authorities, especially for public or fuel or CNS station sites. MoHUA MBBL amendments classify charger locations as “essential services” and have adequate clearance per NBC. In Maharashtra, EV plans in MIDC areas must include fire‐safety protocols and fast-track approvals.

2. Technical & Protocol Standards 

• Connector Standards: Provide mandated plug types: Type-2 (Mennekes) for AC cars; Bharat AC001 sockets for 2/3-wheelers; CCS2 for DC fast cars; GB/T or Type-4 (IEC 62196-3) for buses/trucks if required. Use the standard Bharat DC001 interface for two- or three-wheelers. This follows MoP/BIS norms and global practice. 

• Communication Protocols: Adopt open protocols for network interoperability. As per MoP/CEA guidelines, all new chargers must support OCPP (1.6J/2.0.1) for backend communication and OCPI (or equivalent) for roaming/payment integration.  ISO 15118 and IEC 61851/ISO 15118 series are recommended for CCS implementations. Document conformance: e.g., certify OCPP and OCPI support in technical specs. 

• Smart Features: Incorporate smart metering and demand-response capability.  Best practice includes ISO 15118/BMS communication for vehicle-driven charging control, prepaid/postpaid billing, and renewable integration. If providing AC/DC fluid-cooled battery swap (FCBCS), follow emerging BIS/DHI guidelines once formalized. 

• Quality & EMC: Chargers must meet Indian Electrical Equipment Quality Control Orders and be certified for local climate  conditions. Use BIS-certified cables (IS 17044 series) and hardware rated IP55+ for outdoor use. Ensure conduit and cable trays meet CEIG/government electrical inspector standards. 

3. Cybersecurity & Data Protection 

• CERT-In Compliance: Monitor and apply CERT-In advisories. EVCS software and networking must be secured per  government directives.  Reported cyber incidents to CERT-In as mandated by the CERT-In directions. Conduct periodic audits by CERT-In auditors. 

• Data Privacy & Security: Implement encryption and secure payment standards (e.g., PCI-DSS for payment processing, UPI encryption). Protect user registration and charging data under the IT Act and updated data protection rules.  CPOs should consider BIS draft standards or guidance for “smart grid” security (once issued) and follow NCIIPC guidelines for critical infrastructure. 

• Network Separation: Isolate charger control networks from general IT networks. Use secure VPNs or APN-based cellular connections for charge point communications. Keep firmware updated and prohibit the use of default credentials. In partnership with software providers, ensure over-the-air (OTA) updates and secure authentication (RFID, 2FA) as per MoP guidelines. 

4. Tariff Structure & Metering Rules 

• EV Tariffs (Central): Tariffs must be ≤ average cost of supply +15%. Check your State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) for notified EV tariffs. For example, Karnataka’s 2024 tariff order set ₹4.50/kWh for EV charging (LT-6(C) category). Under MoP guidance, domestic‐rate tariffs may apply for private (home) chargers. Always confirm the latest state order for EV CPOs. 

• Metering Configuration: Install a dedicated revenue meter under the EV tariff category for public chargers. In  housing  societies, follow local guidelines (e.g., KERC allows LT/HT sub-metering for EV loads). Ensure Time-of-Day (ToD) metering if mandated. For residential chargers, a domestic meter can be used if no separate connection is taken. 

• Time-of-Day (ToD) Rates: Align charging rates with ToD schemes. Tamil Nadu’s July 2025 EV tariff order uses approx. ₹6.50/kWh (mid-day) vs. ₹9.75 (peak). CPOs should program chargers to encourage off-peak/renewable charging and may offer incentives accordingly

• Service Charges: Many SNAs cap service fees on subsidized chargers.  Maharashtra fixed ₹3.00 (urban) / ₹2.30 (rural) per unit for incentive‐assisted stations.  Display the total per-kWh price clearly to consumers, including GST and duty. 

5. Interoperability & Discoverability 

• Roaming and Payments: Integrate with national EV roaming platforms. New public chargers must accept third-party RFID/QR codes and support digital payments (UPI, Aadhaar Pay). Adoption of OCPI ensures roaming across CPO networks. Unify with government/nodal portals (like the BEE e-vehicle directory) so users can locate your stations. As per recent policy, compliance with these interoperability norms is mandatory for incentives and licenses. 

• BEE Portal & Networks: Register all public chargers on BEE’s EV-charge point portal (Evyatra) to obtain a unique ID. Share live charging status via OCPP for apps and maps.  Ensure your back-end CMS/EMS supports automated reporting of uptime, energy dispensed, and usage stats. 

• Connector Compatibility: Equip outlets with standardized plugs and sockets. For mixed fleets, consider multiple guns (e.g., CCS2 + CHAdeMO/GB-T). Guarantee universal compatibility so any EV user (2W to bus) can charge. Mark charger types clearly on-site. 

• Public Charging Infrastructure (PCI) Standards: Follow MoP siting norms. As per the 2024 guidelines, a minimum number of slow and fast chargers must be provided at each public charging station. Example: one public charger per 3 two-wheelers, one fast charger per 10 cars. Complying with these ensures consistency and network-wide standardization. 

6. Land Use, Building & Zoning Rules 

• Building Bye Laws (MoHUA): New construction must allocate at least 20% of parking for EV charging (Clause 10.4, MBBL 2016 amendments). Many states go further (Maharashtra requires 100% of new residential).  Pre-wire parking basements with extra conduit and capacity. Provide at least 1 slow charger for every 100 parking slots in offices/apartments. 

• Residential/Group Housing: Private homes may use domestic meters. In Karnataka, KERC allows homeowners to connect within an existing load or upgrade with permission.  Shared society chargers require owner consent and DISCOM clearance for wiring in common areas.  

• Municipal Permits: Treat EV chargers as “essential public utilities.” Many cities (e.g., Delhi’s Switch Delhi portal) offer one-stop authorizations for charger installation. File with the local planning authority to amend the development plan or get a kiosk permit if on public land. For roadside/highway stations, comply with highway authority setbacks and signage norms.  
• Land Leasing/Zoning: Negotiate leases with ULBs or oil companies (MoP urges priority use of petrol pump land for EV charging). Comply with local zoning norms; for instance, some municipal codes classify EV stations as “Automobile Fuel Station” or “Public Utility”. In mixed-use or industrial zones, check if special permission is needed for large battery storage.

7. State Policy & Local Guidelines (Examples) 

• Delhi: The Delhi EV Policy 2022/23 promotes private charger deployment via a single-window clearance system and mandates large developments (projects >X m²) must reserve EV-ready parking. 
• Maharashtra: State EV Policy 2025 requires fast chargers at all fuel stations and MSRTC bus depots and charging stations every 25 km on highways. Concessional tariffs apply to all EV/Swap stations (per MERC Order 217/2024). New buildings must be EV-ready (100% residential and 50% commercial). Fire-safety and SPA clearance fast-tracking is specified for MIDC/industrial areas. 
• Karnataka: KERC’s 2024 orders set a ₹4.50/kWh tariff. Sub-metering is allowed in buildings and requires Discoms to process EV service requests per the Rights of Consumers Rules. KERC also permits individual flat owners to add chargers within existing sanctioned loads. BESCOM published guidelines for the LT-6(c) tariff category and connection procedures. 
• Tamil Nadu: TNERC mandates ToD tariffs favoring solar hours. Tamil Nadu’s EV policy 2023 offers a 25% capex subsidy for the first 50 private chargers (max ₹10 L) and requires all new urban parking to be EV-ready. The state’s recent tariff order saw higher peak rates (approx. ₹9.75) with solar-hour advantage (approx. ₹6.50 midday). CPOs in TN should schedule charging accordingly. 
• Other States: Many state policies mirror these provisions. Karnataka encourages one fast charger per 20 km on highways; Kerala offers subsidized land for charger parks; Tamil Nadu requires one charger per 100 parking spaces in new buildings. Always check the local SERC and state EV policy for unique rules.