EV adoption accelerates: Public charger electricity use up 72% in FY26

New Delhi: Electricity consumption at public charging stations (PCS) rose by over 72% in financial year 2025-26, signalling a steady increase in the use of electric vehicles (EVs) across India. Fresh data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) shows that public chargers consumed 1,460 million units (MU) of electricity in FY26, up from 848 MU in the previous fiscal, as the country's automotive sector transitions towards cleaner energy.

The data also reveals a significant skew towards heavy-duty charging infrastructure. Over 74% of the electricity consumed at public chargers in FY26 was drawn by heavy-duty chargers used for electric buses, trucks, high-capacity passenger coaches and commercial fleet vehicles. Light and medium personal and commercial e-vehicles accounted for the remaining 26%. In FY25, the split was 70% for heavy-duty and 30% for light and medium vehicles, indicating a growing dominance of fleet and public transport electrification.

The CEA, however, cautions that the figures are not comprehensive. Electricity consumption from public chargers in several north-eastern states, as well as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territories of Puducherry, Chandigarh, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, is not included. Power distribution companies in those regions did not provide the required information, the CEA said.

State-wise, Maharashtra led the country with 378 MU consumed at public chargers, representing roughly 26% of the national total. Delhi followed closely with 359 MU, while Karnataka (213 MU) and Telangana (111 MU) also recorded substantial consumption.

The increasing usage of public charging infrastructure comes amid a broader push for EV adoption. According to industry data, total EV sales in India crossed 2.5 million units in 2025, a year-on-year growth of 24.6%, with EVs now making up about 8.5% of all new vehicle registrations. The growth has been driven primarily by strong sales in the two-wheeler, three-wheeler and passenger vehicle segments.

The CEA said that tracking energy consumption at PCS is essential for assessing the development of a reliable EV charging ecosystem. It also helps in ensuring energy security, reducing emission intensity, and formulating necessary policy interventions. Detailed data on charging station energy use is vital for load forecasting, distribution system planning, and integrated resource planning across the country.

Experts note that the steady rise in electricity consumption at public chargers reflects not only the growing number of EVs on Indian roads but also the increasing reliance on public infrastructure rather than private home charging. This trend has implications for the power grid, urban planning, and the pace at which India can achieve its net-zero emissions goal by 2070. The government has made EV adoption a central pillar of its environmental strategy, and the latest numbers indicate that momentum is building, albeit with regional disparities and data gaps that need to be addressed.