Introduction
India’s electric-vehicle (EV) revolution is accelerating, and the most profitable side-business may be charging infrastructure. Every new EV sold needs a reliable charging point.
If you own land (especially roadside, commercial, mall-parking, fleet depot) or manage a logistics fleet, this is your opportunity. But success depends heavily on location, charger mix, and choosing the right franchise partner.
This detailed guide will show you:
✅ The 10 best locations for EV charging stations
✅ Cost & ROI breakdown for AC/DC setups
✅ Top 5 franchise options in India (2025)
✅ Government subsidies and FAQ answers
Why Location + Charger Mix = Profit
- A public charging station earns money from kWh sold, idle-vehicle time, service & coffee stops, and advertising.
- Average profit margins can be 15–30%, depending on utilisation.
- But many low-traffic stations fail because they install only AC (slow) chargers or pick poor sites.
- You need high visibility, strong grid supply, and easy access.
Top 10 Best Locations to Place an EV Charging Station
| # | Location Type | Why It Works | Key Checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highway Petrol Pump / Truck Stop | Constant truck traffic, long-haul EVs need fast DC charging. | HT power supply, parking, signage. |
| 2 | Logistics Park / Fleet Depot | Guaranteed usage from fleet trucks. | Strong load capacity, fleet tie-ups. |
| 3 | Shopping Mall / Multiplex Parking | Cars stay 1–3 hrs — ideal for AC chargers. | Secure, visible, easy to access. |
| 4 | Residential Apartments / Housing Society | Overnight slow charging demand. | RWA approval, safety compliance. |
| 5 | Corporate Office / IT Park | Employees’ EVs charge during office hours. | Parking slots, daytime electricity load. |
| 6 | Petrol Pump Extension | Existing traffic and familiarity. | Clear entry/exit, safe separation from fuel zone. |
| 7 | Public Parking Area / City Fringe | Frequent turnover of vehicles. | Easy access, grid connection. |
| 8 | Tourist Resorts / Highways | Travellers stop 1–2 hrs, ideal for DC charging. | Grid tie-in cost, signage. |
| 9 | Retail Stores / Food Courts | Combine charging with shopping time. | Space + branding opportunities. |
| 10 | Roadside Land / Farmland near Highways | High visibility, independent business. | Grid availability, land conversion permission. |
Pro Tip:
Rank your options by:
Traffic potential × Parking time × Power availability
Cost & Subsidy Breakdown (AC vs DC)
Charger Type & Cost (2025 Market Estimate)
- AC Slow Chargers (Bharat AC-001, Type 2): ₹ 65,000 – ₹ 2 lakh
- DC Fast Chargers (30 kW): ₹ 7 – 8.5 lakh
- DC Ultra-Fast (50–120 kW): ₹ 10 – 20 lakh
- Complete public setup (1×DC + 1×AC + installation): ₹ 10–15 lakh approx.
- Large highway station (multiple bays): ₹ 40 lakh+
Total Example Setup (30 kW DC):
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Charger hardware | ₹ 7–8.5 lakh |
| Civil & wiring | ₹ 2 lakh |
| Transformer/connection | ₹ 1 lakh |
| Branding & signage | ₹ 30,000 |
| Total | ₹ 10–12 lakh (approx.) |
Government Subsidies
- FAME II – Subsidies on charging infrastructure and EV purchases.
- State EV Policies: Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka provide 25–40% subsidy on equipment.
- Example: Delhi EV Policy – up to ₹ 6,000 per AC charger for early adopters.
- Tariff: Public charging rates can’t exceed “Average Cost of Supply + 15%” (CEA norms).
Revenue & ROI Example
If you charge ₹ 20 / kWh and each car consumes 30 kWh, one session gives ₹ 600 revenue.
Assume 250 sessions/month → ₹ 1.5 lakh gross revenue.
After power + maintenance (~₹ 70,000), net profit ~₹ 80,000/month.
ROI Period: 2 – 4 years for DC setups.
6 Best EV Charging Station Franchises in India (2025)
| Franchise | Investment / Model | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| ChargeZone | ₹ 15 lakh + (30–60 kW DC) | Complete turnkey setup with CMS software, app integration, and branding. chargezone.co.in |
| Tata Power EZ Charge | ₹ 1–2 crore (multi-bay station) | India’s most trusted utility-backed brand, offering EPC, grid liaisoning, and maintenance. tatapower.com |
| Statiq | Low-cost entry (AC + DC) | Partner financing via SBI EV Mitra, advanced digital app & network connectivity. statiq.in |
| Volttic | ₹ 8–15 lakh | End-to-end hardware, software, franchise, and O&M support for landowners & enterprises. volttic.com |
| EVQ Point | ₹ 10–20 lakh | Compact AC/DC solutions for private or semi-public spaces; ideal for apartments & small plots. franchiseindia.com |
| Servotech EV Infra (Servotech Renewable Power Systems Ltd.) | ₹ 10–25 lakh depending on charger capacity (AC/DC mix) | Made-in-India chargers, Bharat AC001 & DC fast models (30 kW–240 kW), turnkey setup with DISCOM approval support, smart CMS, 24×7 maintenance network. Strong presence in Govt & private projects. servotechpower.com |
How to Apply for Franchise
- Visit the brand’s official “Partner” or “Franchise” page.
- Fill out your land details, location, available power, and contact info.
- Receive site feasibility report and quote.
- Approve & sign MoU.
- Brand installs hardware and connects CMS.
- Go live — start earning from every kWh charged.
FAQs
Q1. Do I need a license to open a charging station?
No license is required — EV charging is a de-licensed activity under the Ministry of Power (2018). Just follow BIS/CEA safety standards.
Q2. AC or DC charger — which is better?
- AC: Cheaper, slower — best for apartments/offices.
- DC: Expensive, fast — best for highways & fleets.
A mix of both ensures full utilisation.
Q3. How much subsidy can I get?
Under FAME II and state policies, subsidies range 15–40% depending on charger type and scheme.
Q4. What’s the grid/power requirement?
- AC (7 kW): LT connection
- DC (30 kW+): HT connection
Apply via your DISCOM (e.g., UPPCL, BSES, TANGEDCO).
Q5. When can I expect ROI?
In 2–4 years, depending on utilisation and tariff rate.
Q6. Major risks?
- Low traffic utilisation
- Delay in power approval
- High lease costs
- Unreliable charger uptime
Choose proven franchise partners to reduce risk.
✅ Conclusion
If you own roadside commercial or farmland near highways (like Dhaulana, Ghaziabad), you’re sitting on a goldmine. With proper site selection, grid connection, and the right franchise, you can build a scalable EV charging business.
Start small (1 DC + 1 AC charger), claim available subsidies, and grow as EV adoption accelerates in India.
Your future charging hub could soon power India’s clean-mobility revolution ⚡
📎 Useful References
