How to Set Up Electric Vehicle Charging Points in Commercial Complexes

 

The definitive guide for developers, builders, and facility managers.

As EV adoption accelerates in India, electric vehicle charging points are fast becoming an essential part of commercial real estate infrastructure. Whether it’s a shopping mall, office complex, or mixed-use development, customers, employees, and tenants are beginning to expect reliable charging access, just like parking or Wi-Fi.

Here’s how to plan, install, and manage electric vehicle charging points the right way.

1. Understand the Regulatory Landscape

Before installing electric vehicle charging points, you’ll need to comply with national and state-level EV infrastructure policies.

According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ Model Building Bye-Laws, commercial buildings must reserve at least 20% of parking capacity for electric vehicle charging points (MoHUA Guidelines).

You’ll also need technical clearance from local DISCOMs and ensure compliance with BIS/CEA/ARAI standards.

2. Assess Your Power Infrastructure

Installing electric vehicle charging points isn’t just about equipment, it’s about load planning.

Many commercial complexes lack the electrical headroom for 10–20 fast chargers without upgrades. Coordinate with your local electricity board to evaluate transformer capacity, sanctioned load, and grid stability.

Always design with scalability in mind—even if you’re starting with just 2 or 3 electric vehicle charging points, the system should be capable of expanding to 20+ as demand grows.

3. Choose the Right Mix of Chargers

Not all electric vehicle charging points serve the same purpose. Office campuses might benefit from slow AC chargers (3.3–7 kW), while retail spaces and logistics hubs need DC fast chargers (30–240 kW).

A good rule of thumb:

·         AC chargers for long-dwell vehicles (employees, overnight parking)

·         DC chargers for quick turnover (delivery vehicles, visitors)

Your charger mix should reflect how people use your property and how long they stay.

4. Partner with the Right CPO

Working with a trusted Charge Point Operator (CPO) —such as Bolt.Earth, Tata Power EZ Charge, or ChargeZone— simplifies everything. From site audits and hardware supply to installation, backend integration, and maintenance—they manage the full lifecycle of your electric vehicle charging points.

Choose partners who provide OCPP-compliant chargers, 24/7 CMS access, and long-term SLAs to keep your electric vehicle charging points online, safe, and profitable.

5. Get the Software Stack Right

Every EV charger needs a brain. For your network of electric vehicle charging points, that means a robust Charger Management System (CMS).

Look for features like:

·         Live session monitoring

·         Remote diagnostics

·         Fault alerts

·         Dynamic load balancing

·         Digital payments

Your CMS should integrate with your property management or tenant-facing apps to streamline billing and access.

6. Tap into Government Subsidies

The PM e-Drive scheme and state EV policies offer significant financial support for installing electric vehicle charging points.

These subsidies can cover up to 80% of infrastructure costs, including chargers, cabling, and even transformer upgrades. States like Delhi, Karnataka, and Maharashtra also offer special EV electricity tariffs and tax incentives for buildings that install electric vehicle charging points.

7. Prioritize Safety and Compliance

Every unit must comply with national electrical safety norms and EV-specific guidelines. Your electric vehicle charging points must include:

·         Over-voltage and short-circuit protection

·         Earth leakage detection

·         Emergency shutoffs

·         Weatherproof housing (IP54/IP65)

Safety isn’t optional. Poor-quality installs can result in fire hazards, property damage, and legal liability.

 

8. Plan for Future Expansion

Think beyond the immediate need. As EV penetration grows, your demand for electric vehicle charging points will too.

Design infrastructure that’s modular and easy to scale. Include spare conduits, space for additional panels, and cloud-based software that can handle more units over time.

Also consider solar integration and battery storage in the long term to reduce load during peak hours.

9. Monitor, Optimize, Repeat

Once your electric vehicle charging points are live, usage data becomes your biggest asset.

Monitor dwell time, session frequency, electricity consumed, and off-peak usage. Use this to:

·         Reallocate underused chargers

·         Adjust pricing

·         Optimize power distribution

High-performing commercial properties treat EV charging like any other utility: as an asset to be managed, improved, and scaled.

Final Thoughts

Installing electric vehicle charging points in commercial complexes is no longer just about compliance, it’s about future-proofing your property, meeting tenant expectations, and staying competitive in a rapidly electrifying market.

Do it right, and you won’t just have a few chargers in your basement. You’ll have an intelligent, scalable, and revenue-generating EV charging network that adds long-term value to your real estate.

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