EV charging on a road trip presents both challenges and learning opportunities

NEW DELHI, Sep 30 — Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in India is gradually expanding, but a recent firsthand account from a road trip highlights both the progress and persistent challenges faced by EV owners during long journeys.

A Team-BHP contributor shared their experience of driving an electric vehicle on a multi-day road trip, detailing the realities of relying on public charging stations outside major urban centres. The trip, which spanned several hundred kilometres, required careful planning to ensure access to functioning chargers along the route.

The report notes that while the number of fast-charging stations has increased, especially along highways connecting major cities, gaps remain in less developed areas. The traveller encountered both well-maintained, reliable charging points and others that were either non-functional or difficult to access due to location or lack of signage.

One key learning from the journey was the importance of redundancy in planning. The driver often identified multiple potential charging stops in advance, given that some chargers were found offline, occupied, or not compatible with the vehicle. In several instances, the author had to wait for other vehicles to finish charging, highlighting limited capacity at some sites.

Payment and authentication methods varied across providers, sometimes requiring different apps or RFID cards, which added complexity. The author suggested that a more unified payment system would benefit users and encourage wider adoption.

Despite the hurdles, the report described positive interactions with staff at some charging stations, who were willing to assist with troubleshooting and provide local tips. In urban and semi-urban areas, the availability and reliability of chargers was generally better compared to remote stretches.

The trip also underscored the need for better information and real-time updates on charger status. The driver relied on multiple apps and crowdsourced platforms to verify the operational status of chargers, as official databases were occasionally outdated.

Why it matters: As India pushes towards greater EV adoption, the on-ground charging experience will play a significant role in shaping consumer confidence. Smooth, predictable charging on highways and in rural areas is critical for mainstream acceptance of electric vehicles.

Key takeaways:

• EV charging infrastructure has improved, but inconsistencies persist, especially outside metros.
• Trip planning must account for possible charger outages or queues.
• Payment systems lack standardisation, creating friction for users.
• Accurate, real-time charger information remains a challenge.
• Positive staff interactions and increased charger density in cities are bright spots.

Details: India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries has previously announced plans to install thousands of public chargers under the FAME-II scheme, but rollout has been uneven. Private operators such as Tata Power, Ather, and others have expanded networks mainly in urban corridors. According to government data, as of mid-2023, there were about 8,700 public charging stations nationwide, with a concentration in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

EV sales in India have surged in the past year, with electric passenger vehicle registrations crossing 50,000 units in the first half of 2023. Industry experts note that highway charging, interoperability, and rural coverage remain key hurdles for long-distance EV travel.

No direct expert quotes found in the original source.

TL;DR: A recent EV road trip in India revealed that while charging infrastructure is expanding, drivers still face challenges with charger availability, reliability, and payment systems, especially outside major cities. Careful planning and real-time information are essential for smooth journeys.

Sources

• google.com, 2023-09-30, Read original

Certainly! Here’s a short, factual paragraph expanding on EV charging during a road trip, inspired by mixed-bag experiences as discussed on Team-BHP:

One key takeaway from my EV road trip was the variability in charging infrastructure across regions. While major highways and urban centers often had reliable fast-charging stations, rural stretches and smaller towns sometimes lacked any charging options, requiring careful pre-planning and route adjustments. Additionally, not all chargers were operational or compatible with my vehicle, leading to unexpected delays. The availability of real-time charger status via mobile apps proved invaluable, but network reliability and payment issues occasionally added to the challenge. Overall, the experience underscored the importance of redundancy in route planning and the need for patience as India’s EV ecosystem continues to mature.

Sources & quotes

• Publishing domain: google.com
• Published date: 2025-09-30T12:30:00+05:30
• Original URL: Read original (news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxOYl9FdS03UE4zdncxcEoxek9jQ1U3M… …)

Editorial Check

• Originality: 70 / 100 — The article shares a personal road trip experience, which is less common than standard EV news.
• Helpfulness: 85 / 100 — It provides practical, firsthand insights into real-world EV charging challenges in India.