Guidance for Stakeholders Considering CaaS

Under the CaaS model, charging infrastructure is deployed, operated, and maintained by a specialist provider, enabling hosts and users to access reliable charging without upfront capex or operational overhead. For charge point operators, EV startups, real estate developers, fleet owners, OEMs, energy companies, and city planners, CaaS can provide faster scale, but only if structured thoughtfully. 

This guide outlines practical steps for stakeholders evaluating CaaS: vetting providers rigorously, structuring contracts with clarity, building realistic ROI models, staying compliant amid evolving regulations, and fostering partnerships that improve long-term viability. Treated correctly, CaaS can be a strategic lever for accelerating EV ecosystem growth. 

Do Your Due Diligence on Providers 

Selecting a CaaS provider should be treated like hiring a critical contractor or entering a joint venture.   

Assess the provider’s track record 

How many charging stations have they deployed and where? Can they provide references from existing clients (hosts or fleet partners) about their performance? A provider that has successfully managed 100+ chargers with 97% uptime demonstrates reliability.  

Examine technical capabilities 

Are their chargers compliant with Indian standards (Bharat AC/DC specs or international CCS2/CHAdeMO, if applicable)? Do they use an open-standards backend (OCPP) that allows integration with other networks or apps? Interoperability is key to avoiding vendor lock-in.  

Evaluate financial stability 

Check if they are backed by strong investors or profitable enough to maintain the network long-term. Request a presentation of their operations center and maintenance process to confirm 24/7 monitoring, local technicians on call, and clear escalation paths. Vet the provider as you would any critical service supplier, focusing on both technical prowess and business strength. 

Structure the Agreement with Clear Roles and Revenue Sharing 

A well-defined contract is the backbone of a successful CaaS engagement.  

Define responsibilities 

The provider typically procures, installs, and commissions chargers, while the host provides space, utilities (electricity connection), and permits. Clarify who bears costs for upgrades, such as electrical connections.  

Ensure revenue model clarity 

If it’s a revenue share, define the percentage split and what constitutes “revenue” (e.g., net of electricity costs). If the host pays a fixed service fee or subscription, specify the amount and payment schedule. For example, a fleet might pay ₹X per month per charger for unlimited charging up to a limit, beyond which a per kWh charge applies. Put all terms in writing, including provisions for fee adjustments if the electricity tariff or utilization changes fall below a threshold.  

Include SLA (Service Level Agreement) terms in contract 

For instance, the provider guarantees 98% uptime monthly,  with rebates or penalties if not met. Define maintenance windows, maximum response time, and reporting requirements (e.g., quarterly usage and revenue reports). Clarify customer support responsibilities, such as whether the provider runs a hotline for driver issues.  

Allocate risk properly 

Ensure insurance coverage for liabilities (public liability, equipment damage). Contracts should mandate operator insurance for equipment and liability cover.  

Set duration and termination terms 

Consider an initial term (5 to 10 years, depending on investment) with extension options. Specify exit clauses, such as whether the provider removes equipment at their cost, or the host can buy out the infrastructure at a depreciated value. Cover financials, performance, maintenance, liabilities, data sharing, and exit terms comprehensively. 

Plan for ROI with Realistic Projections 

Whether you are the service provider or the host investing in your space/resources, do a thorough business case analysis.  

Estimate utilization 

Project charger usage over 3–5 years based on local EV growth trends. For example, a mall in Pune should analyze current and projected EV registrations using government data (VAHAN) or industry reports. Factor in competition within a 5 km radius. Assume conservative initial utilization (5–10% in year one), ramping up with adoption.  

Include all cost elements 

Account for electricity costs, demand charges, service fees, maintenance, internet connectivity, and capital amortization. On the revenue side, consider charging fees,  advertising opportunities, parking fees, and cross-sales (e.g., EV drivers visiting a cafe while charging). Busy stations in prime areas can earn ₹80,000 to ₹150,000 per charger per month under favorable conditions, though results vary. Fleet operators should calculate the effective cost per km using CaaS versus owning infrastructure.  

Leverage incentives 

Factor in government subsidies or discounted tariffs. For example, state EV policies may reimburse charger costs or offer a discounted electricity tariff for EV charging during certain years, improving ROI. Negotiate that subsidies reduce provider capital costs and benefit hosts through lower service fees.  

Pilot before scaling  

Start with one charger under the service model to gauge usage before expanding to 10. Real data reduces risk and improves projection accuracy. 

Stay Compliant and Anticipate Regulatory Changes 

The regulatory landscape for EV charging is evolving rapidly.  

Adhere to central and state guidelines  

For example, the MoP’s 2024 Guidelines require  OCPP compliance and unified payment systems. Ensure solutions meet these standards to avoid costly upgrades.  

Meet building code requirements  

Real estate developers must comply with by-laws mandating EV-ready parking. Partnering with a CaaS provider can turn compliance into a selling point.   

Monitor electricity tariff changes 

State regulators may introduce special EV charging categories or alter fixed charges. Engage with DISCOMs or industry bodies to advocate for favorable terms.  

Track policy programs 

Programs like PM E-DRIVE or state subsidies often have limited windows or specific application processes. Ensure compliance with scheme guidelines (e.g., FAME-funded chargers must be networked and share data with the government database).  

Integrate Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) goals 

Document carbon savings, especially if the provider uses renewable energy. Anticipate future standards like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) or smart charging mandates and negotiate hardware flexibility to avoid obsolescence.  
 
In sum, treat regulatory awareness as part of your strategy. It will help avoid compliance snafus and might open up new opportunities (like accessing grants or new business models such as providing grid services for revenue). 

Foster Partnerships and Look for Synergies 

The most successful CaaS projects often involve multiple stakeholders aligning incentives. As an urban planner or government agency, consider partnering with private firms through transparent frameworks (tenders or MoUs) to leverage each other’s strengths. You provide access to land or policy support, and they provide capital and execution.  

For private companies, think of it as a win-win collaboration. An OEM might partner with a CaaS provider to ensure charging for its customers (we’ve seen electric two-wheeler companies tie up with charging networks, so their riders get discounts or assured access, boosting vehicle sales and charger utilization simultaneously).  

A landlord might negotiate with a charging operator to co-market the location (list it prominently on apps, maybe do events or promotions for EV owners). 

Integrate with other services to enhance viability

Let your charging hub also host a small cafe or serve as a vehicle service point. Some highway charging stations are integrating food courts and convenience stores, which improve footfall and provide additional income.  

For fleets, sharing infrastructure is an option: two fleet operators in the same city could jointly use one charging depot serviced by a CaaS operator to improve asset utilization, essentially a hub-and-spoke approach. The overarching guidance is to not work in silos since EV charging cuts across transport, energy, real estate, and tech sectors; building alliances can significantly reduce costs and increase revenues for everyone involved. 

Final Thoughts 

Stakeholders who approach CaaS with the same rigor they would apply to any critical infrastructure investment tend to extract the most value. That means deep due diligence on providers, contracts that leave little room for ambiguity, ROI models that factor in conservative adoption curves and policy incentives, and flexibility to adapt as technology and regulations evolve. 

Equally important is collaboration. The strongest CaaS outcomes emerge when incentives are aligned across operators, hosts, OEMs, fleets, utilities, and governments, transforming charging sites into integrated mobility and energy assets rather than isolated installations. 

As India’s EV ecosystem matures, CaaS will distinguish well-planned charging networks from underperforming ones. Those who treat it as a long-term partnership will scale sustainably, remain compliant, and capture value in the next phase of electric mobility growth.