(ET)
Government think tank Niti Aayog has asked the oil ministry to help set up electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at 1,000 fuel stations across the country, but industry executives said any such move will require redesigning of stations and a viable business model.
Easy access to charging facility is key to making EVs popular in India where cities are choking with vehicle emissions, prompting the government to think of new ways to create an ecosystem favourable to green vehicles.Since the talk of EVs got louder globally a few years ago, Indian oilNSE -0.23 % marketing companies have been exploring possibilities of being relevant in a future probably dominated by EVs. Now the government order can accelerate their transition. For EV charging to take off at traditional pumps, companies will need to come up with a viable business model as well a design tweak of filling stations, company executives and petrol pump dealers said.