EV Charging Guide: Subsidies, Tariffs & Rules in 5 Leading States and UTs 

Did you know that only 5 states and UTs make up half of all EV sales in India? Out of 1.9 million EVs sold in FY25, some of India’s leading EV regions – Maharashtra, Delhi, MP, UP and Karnataka – contributed nearly a million, assuming the mantle of leading India’s electric mobility mission. 

However, while EV adoption continues to rise, another key component of India’s electric mobility mission – public charging infrastructure – has failed to grow at the same rate. Take, for instance, the example of Karnataka; while the state has more public EV chargers than any other state, the charger density remains much lesser than the global average, thereby limiting the scope of transport electrification. 

To succeed in decarbonising road transport, India must empower the best-performing regions in this category. To push the country in this direction while highlighting opportunities to set up profitable businesses and save while charging at home, we cover the following: 

• Brief comparison of the existing charging infrastructure in the above regions 

• Incentives offered for home and public chargers 

• Concessional EV tariffs imposed along with possible savings for users 

Let’s dive in!

Source: https://graphaize.com/ev-charging-stations-in-india-state-wise-data2025/

EV Charging in Some of India’s Leading EV States and Union Territories 

State	EV to EV Charger Ratio (according to NITI Aayog’s IEMI)	Subsidies and Incentives	EV-specific Tariffs
Maharashtra	41	Subsidies for fast chargers: 15% of charger cost or 5 lakhs for first 1,000 charging stations. 15%/ 10 lakhs for first 500 higher-powered chargers.	Rs. 8.95/ unit
Uttar Pradesh	10	20% subsidy on fixed capital investment up to Rs. ₹10 lakh including grid equipment.	Rs. 5.9 – Rs. 7.7/ kWh
Madhya Pradesh	19	30% subsidy up to Rs. 10 lakhs depending on size of charging station	Rs. 7.14/ unit
Karnataka	71	Capital subsidy of 25% up to Rs. 10 lakhs for fast-charging stations	Rs. 4.5 – 6.1/ unit
Delhi	49	First 30,000 individuals to set up home chargers to get Rs. 6,000 as subsidy.	Rs. 4/ kWh (low-tension connections); Rs. 4.5/ kVah (high-tension connections)

Note: The India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) is a score out of 100 - 1 indicates the highest relative number of EVs per charger (low EV charger density) and 100 indicates the least. 

The above table shows a brief comparison of key details surrounding the EV charging setup in key states and UTs. Based on the same, the below salient observations emerge: 

• The highest density of public chargers is in Karnataka – but, it still has 123 EVs per public charger, far exceeding the global average of 6-20 EVs per charger. 

• In 2025, UP outperformed every other state to post the highest EV sales. But as per NITI Aayog’s IEMI, the state scores poorly on its EV charging infrastructure, highlighting areas for improvement. 

• Other states and UTs like Delhi, Maharashtra and MP are still lagging behind when it comes to providing reliable and accessible EV charging infra.  

To make up this gap, many of them are offering wide-ranging incentives to increase EV charger density.  

Subsidies and Incentives Charging for Home and Public Charging stations in Leading EV states 

Category	Incentives offered
Fast Chargers	Maharashtra offers Viability Gap Funding up to Rs. 10 lakhs for new semi/ public-EV charging stations Karnataka offers a capital subsidy up to 25% or Rs. 10 lakhs
All Public Chargers	Uttar Pradesh offers 20% subsidy up to Rs. 10 lakhs (covers upstream grid equipment) MP offers incentives graded by station size, with with a maximum subsidy of 30% up to Rs. 10 lakhs for large PCS.
Home Chargers	Delhi offers Rs. 6,000 subsidy per charger installed in homes, apartment and shops; applicable to the first 30,000 applicants Many cities in Maharashtra offer a property tax rebate of 2-5% for installing home chargers and opening them for public use

The table brings out the following insights: 

• In Maharashtra and Karnataka, the focus is on subsidizing fast chargers. Research shows that they are more effective at keeping range anxiety low especially during long trips. 

• In UP and MP, incentives are offered for a variety of charger speeds and station sizes. UP has become the first state to subsidize upstream electrical infrastructure  with a 20% subsidy up to Rs. 10 lakhs on all capital infrastructure, while in MP, one can get a maximum subsidy of 30% up to Rs. 10 lakhs for the first 200 large PCS installed.  

• For home charging: 
  • Delhi offers a Rs. 6,000 subsidy for the first 30,000 chargers installed in homes, apartments and shops 
  • In Maharashtra: Nagpur, Kolhapur, and Pune districts offer a 2% rebate on property tax for homeowners and housing societies that install semi-public charging stations.  

Together, these incentives hit the nail on the head, reducing the entry barrier to a climate-positive business.  

Next, we look at concessional EV tariffs imposed in these regions.

Source: https://emobilityplus.com/2022/04/19/maharashtra-will-have-219345-evs-by-2025-and-1208704-evs-by-2030-says-report/ 

Incentivising Businesses and EV Owners with Special EV Charging Tariffs 

Recognising the urgency of India’s electric mobility mission, these states and UTs are offering special EV charging tariffs to bring down their running costs.  

State/ Union Territory	EV Charging Tariffs	Potential Savings for Users (per month)
Maharashtra	Rs. 8.95/ unit (Average Cost of Supply (ACoS) for FY26-27)	Rs. 660
Uttar Pradesh	Rs. 5.9 – Rs. 7.7/ kWh	Rs. 100 – 200
Madhya Pradesh	Rs. 7.14/ unit	0 – Rs. 130
Karnataka	Rs. 4.5 – 6.1/ unit	Rs. 150 – Rs. 425
Delhi	Rs. 4/ kWh (low-tension connections); Rs. 4.5/ kVah (high-tension connections)	Rs. 340 – Rs. 600

Key Observations

The above table shows how all the states and UTs in question are trying to reduce the cost of power for EV charging. Here’s what we can glean from it:

1. In Maharashtra, the EV tariff is substantially lesser than the likely residential tariff slab (Rs. 8.95 vs. Rs. 12.83/unit), helping users save around Rs. 660 per month on average. 

2. In Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the difference between the two is not as significant, limiting potential savings:  
   • In UP, the tariff for home charging varies between Rs. 5.9 to Rs. 6.2/ unit as against the residential tariff of Rs. 6.85/ month.  
   • In MP, a Rs. 7.14/ unit tariff is applicable to EV users, helping them save around Rs. 130 at best on average.  

3. In both Karnataka and Delhi, EV owners are helped with substantially low EV tariffs. While those in the former range between Rs. 4.5 – Rs. 6.1/ unit, in Delhi, they fall within the Rs. 4-4.5/ unit range.

In addition to lower tariffs, states impose Time-of-Day (tariffs) to reduce peak power demand and increase green energy production. Thus, by charging your vehicle at strategic times, you can pocket bigger savings with regards to your electricity costs.

To check the ToD tariffs in your state, click here.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/indias-ev-market-surpasses-10000-units-october-first-time-iccsino-azbec 

Permissions Needed to Set up Home/ Public EV Chargers in Leading EV States & UTs 

Permissions Needed to Set up a Public EV Charging Station 

1. No Business License Needed: Since April 2018, EV charging has been classified as a de-licensed activity = no business license needed for the same.  

2. Fire Safety Certification: This is a common requirement for all above States and Union territories. To obtain it, one must apply to their local government’s fire department and qualify the applicable set of rules.  
   • In Maharashtra, for instance, charging stations must adhere to the Chief Electrical Inspector’s Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for EV Charging Stations. 
   • In Karnataka, the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) Safety Regulations and the BESCOM’s safety advisory need to be followed. 

1. Electrical connection and load sanction: Charging an EV at home or setting up a station involves: 
   • Either applying for a new connection 
   • Increasing the sanctioned load. 

Check which DISCOM serves you, find their online portal if they have one and apply for the service you need.

2. Equipment and technical guarantees (compliance proofs): 

All installed EV Supply Equipment (EVSE) must be BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)-certified. 

3. Compliance with building and zoning norms (where applicable):  

They include factors like: 

• Distance from combustible items 
• Vertical elevation for flood protection 
• Proximity of the parking bays to charging ports 

…and other norms to ensure a safe charging station. 

By securing the above permissions, you can set up a public EV charging station in the above States and UTs. 

To know more, read our blog on setting up a charging station in India.

Permissions for Home Chargers      

• The first and foremost requirement is getting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your Resident Welfare Association (RWA).  

• This is easier said than done – RWAs can be hesitant to grant it. To help you with this requirement, we have prepared template letters which help establish formal, effective communication. 

• Using them, you can convey your exact need – a charger in your private parking space or a community charging centre – in a professional and exact manner.  

By securing the necessary permissions, you’re taking an important step towards a worry-free home/ public charging experience.

The Bottom Line: Which State Should you Choose? 

Every state and UT covered above offers different incentives to promote EV charging infrastructure. Depending on your requirements, you can choose which area suits you best:

1. At present, only 1 state offers a blanket incentive for home charging. Although applicable only to the first 30,000 applicants, Delhi’s Rs. 6,000 subsidy can prove considerably beneficial to users. 

2. If you enjoy flexible hours at work and can charge your EV in the day, opt for Maharashtra or Karnataka. Both the states explicitly mention ToD tariffs in their respective EV policies that can help you save considerably by charging at strategic times.  

3. For setting up an EV charging business, choose UP or MP for the following reasons: 
   • They offer some of the highest subsidy amounts irrespective of charging speed. 
   • They have significant EV uptake but very low charger density.  

The geographic location of your business or personal use can increase or limit your costs. Use the above guide to decide where you want to set up a home/ public charger.

Conclusion 

India’s steep target of 30% EV sales penetration by 2030 makes the rest of this decade a crucial period for the country. With a range of incentives and supporting infrastructure, the above states and UTs have established themselves as frontrunners in the EV revolution. However, the next stage of this project is expanding and strengthening charging infrastructure. Only by putting it in place, can we achieve our ambitious climate targets.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q: Which States and UTs does this Blog cover and why? 

It focuses on Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. These states and UTs together account for more than 50% of the country’s EV sales, making it worthwhile to focus on them. 

Q: Which States Offer the Best Incentives for Fast Charging? 

Currently, Maharashtra and Karnataka offer DC fast charging specific-incentives. Maharashtra offers a maximum subsidy of Rs. 10 lakh through the viability gap funding (VGF) route, while Karnataka has instituted a subsidy that extends up to Rs. 10 lakh or 25% of the setting-up costs, whichever are lesser. 

Q: Which are the incentives applicable for home charging? 

Delhi is the only region that offers blanket home charging incentives, albeit with a deadline – a Rs. 6,000 subsidy for the first 30,000 applicants installing chargers in homes, apartments and shops. In Maharashtra, the Pune, Nagpur and Kolhapur municipalities offer rebates on property tax payments for individuals and housing societies that have installed semi-public charging stations. 

Q: How can I get permission from my RWA to install an EV charger? 

For homeowners, procuring an NOC from the RWA can be a challenging task. To help them establish healthy communication with the committee, we have prepared template letters that they can customise and send forward.  

Q: What is a Time-of-Day (ToD) tariff, and how can it reduce my home charging bills? 

A: ToD tariff is a dynamic pricing model where the cost of electricity changes based on the hour of the day. In states like Maharashtra, charging your vehicle during “solar hours” (typically 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) grants a 30% discount per unit, whereas charging during peak evening hours attracts a 30% surcharge. Aligning your charging schedule with these solar hours maximizes your monthly savings.