The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India’s National Standard Body, has given its approval to the first-ever indigenous AC and DC Combined Charging connector standard for light electric vehicles (LEVs) in the country. This standard is also the world’s first to combine AC and DC charging for light electric vehicles and has been developed in India, with the potential to set a global benchmark for LEVs.
This standardized connector system is a significant step toward establishing a common charging infrastructure for light electric vehicles, benefiting various stakeholders within the EV ecosystem, including owners, vehicle manufacturers, and charge point operators. It enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to move away from reliance on international standards, fostering Indian innovation in the EV sector.
The new standard addresses a crucial gap in the market for a standardized AC and DC Combined Charging system for light electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and microcars. Charging these vehicles differs from four-wheelers, as their high cost and size make traditional four-wheeler charging connectors impractical. The combined AC and DC charging connector ensures a cost-effective, hybrid infrastructure for both fast and slow charging, promoting interoperability for customers without the need to carry bulky chargers.
B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, expressed that with the development of this combined charging standard, which is essential for achieving India’s EV targets. This innovation fills a critical gap not addressed by international standards, allowing light EV customers to charge from both AC and DC outlets conveniently. Given that more than 75% of new vehicles sold in India are two or three-wheelers, this standard has a substantial impact on a significant portion of the vehicle market. Collaboration between government bodies and private sector OEMs was instrumental in making this achievement possible.
He emphasized that this homegrown innovation by BIS is a testament to what can be achieved when good policy, innovation, and enterprise come together to guide the country in the right direction. He expects this new standard to significantly contribute to India’s position as a global player in the clean mobility space.
Swapnil Jain, Founder of Ather Energy, commended “This is a remarkable achievement because, for the first time, an India-designed and developed technology can be used globally. As a country, we have come a long way because we are no longer dependent on any EV technology transfer from outside India to create something that has a worldwide market. This could well be the tipping point that catapults India into a global league of technology-based solution providers in the EV automobile sector that only a few countries in the world are capable of.”
He further explained that the challenges posed by different connector standards have now been resolved. In the past, each OEM used its proprietary standard, but by open-sourcing their design, cross-compatibility has been achieved. The number of charging stations is expected to quadruple in the next year as independent charge point operators and OEMs take advantage of this opportunity.
Niranjan Gupta, CEO of Hero MotoCorp, said, “A homegrown connector-standard is a breakthrough achievement for the country and the EV industry, aligned with the government’s ‘Make in India’ policy. In fact, it is not just about Make in India any more, it is ‘Innovate in India and Make for the World’. Along with Ather Energy, it has been Hero MotoCorp’s constant endeavour to take the industry forward and make India the global leader in the light electric vehicle category. This development will go a long way in the pursuance of our vision.”
Source: Autocar Professional