What Are the Renewable Medium of Charging Electric Vehicles?

To fully unlock the promise of clean mobility, India must ensure that the power behind every electric vehicle is as green as the vehicle itself.

May 03, 2025. By News Bureau

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Renewable Medium of Charging Electric Vehicles

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more mainstream, a natural next step is making the way we charge them cleaner and more sustainable. However, a key challenge remains: the electricity used to charge these vehicles often originates from fossil fuels, primarily coal and natural gas. This compromises the environmental benefits of EVs by simply relocating emissions from the vehicle to the power source.

The Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022, seek to address this issue by enabling high-consumption users (minimum 100 kW) to procure electricity from renewable energy providers directly. This progressive policy measure can potentially realign the EV ecosystem with India's broader decarbonisation goals.

As India pursues its target of 30 percent EV adoption by 2030, integrating renewable energy into the EV charging infrastructure becomes imperative. The current power grid emits approximately 725 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour, a figure that exceeds the global average. Without a significant reduction in grid emissions, the transition to electric mobility will remain only partially effective in combating climate change.

Here are the key renewable-powered EV charging models gaining traction:

Captive and On-Site Renewable Charging
Charging stations powered by rooftop solar panels are emerging in cities like Mumbai and residential colonies in Delhi. These systems reduce grid dependency, cut transmission losses, and are cost-effective over time. Many also qualify for state and central government incentives.

Time-of-Day and Dynamic Tariffs
Some states, like Telangana, offer lower electricity rates during peak solar hours. This motivates EV owners to charge their vehicles during periods of peak renewable energy availability. In future, dynamic tariffs based on real-time renewable availability could further incentivise eco-friendly charging behaviour.

Battery Swapping with Renewable Integration
Battery swapping, particularly with lithium-ion batteries, is an efficient solution well-suited for commercial fleets and two-wheelers. It enables users to quickly replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones, minimising downtime. When the charging process is powered by renewable sources like solar or wind, this model not only enhances operational convenience but also significantly lowers the overall carbon footprint.

Managed Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
Managed charging lets utilities control charging times to match renewable supply, while V2G enables EVs to send power back to the grid during peak demand, creating a two-way energy flow that supports grid stability.

Smart Charging Infrastructure
These systems optimise charging based on electricity prices, solar availability, and user preferences. Integrated with solar panels, home storage, and weather forecasts, smart chargers ensure the cleanest and most cost-effective energy is used.

Conclusion
To fully unlock the promise of clean mobility, India must ensure that the power behind every electric vehicle is as green as the vehicle itself. Renewable-powered EV charging infrastructure is not just an environmental imperative—it’s an economic and energy resilience opportunity. Each of the models emerging today offers a piece of the puzzle. Whether through rooftop solar in residential areas, renewable-driven battery swapping, or intelligent software-based smart charging, the integration of renewables into EV charging must be a national priority. Only then can India achieve a transportation ecosystem that is truly sustainable, future-ready, and globally competitive.

- Pratik Kamdar, CEO and Co-Founder, Neuron Energy