When we think about refueling a vehicle, most of us instinctively imagine a petrol pump: bright canopies, rows of fuel dispensers, and the familiar smell of gasoline. After all, for over a century, we’ve lived in a world dominated by internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Refueling has always meant visiting a fuel station.
This model has become deeply ingrained in the way we think about mobility and infrastructure. So, when the average person is asked, “Where do you charge an electric vehicle (EV)?”, the most common response is: “At a charging station, of course.”
It seems like the logical EV equivalent of a petrol pump. However, this comparison is both oversimplified and misleading. The reality of EV charging is vastly different — and far more convenient. One of the most transformative aspects of EV ownership is the ability to charge your vehicle at home.
Over 80% of EV charging — whether for two-wheelers, cars, or even light commercial vehicles — happens at home, and mostly overnight while the owner sleeps. This fact remains consistent even in mature EV markets like Norway, where EV penetration has crossed 50%.
Imagine never having to stop at a fuel station again. That’s what EV ownership offers. Your vehicle starts each day fully charged, ready for your daily commute or errands. There’s no disruption to your routine, no queues, and no detours to find a charging station. It’s a paradigm shift that most ICE vehicle owners have yet to fully appreciate.
Unlike the centralized and capital-intensive model of petrol stations, EV charging infrastructure is evolving in a far more decentralized and flexible manner. This is a critical distinction. AC chargers, which handle the majority of EV charging, are affordable and easy to install. Most buildings already have the required electrical capacity.
Hotels and resorts can offer a few chargers for guests to use overnight. Office buildings can install chargers that allow employees to top up while they work. Malls, supermarkets, hospitals, and apartment complexes can all become viable charging points with minimal investment. Instead of large, visible stations concentrated on highways or city centers, EV charging infrastructure will be almost invisible — seamlessly integrated into everyday places where vehicles are already parked for long durations.
This isn’t to say DC fast chargers are irrelevant. Far from it. They are a critical piece of the puzzle. DC fast chargers are essential for long-distance travel, intercity routes, and emergency top-ups. However, they cater to a minority of charging needs — roughly 15–20%. Think of DC fast chargers as the “petrol pump” equivalent for EVs, but not the dominant player in the ecosystem. Most EV users won’t need to rely on them regularly.
The bulk of charging will continue to occur at destinations where vehicles are idle — homes, workplaces, hotels, and other long-duration parking spots. Policy makers, planners, and even businesses often overlook this balance. Many equate robust EV infrastructure solely with the number of fastcharging stations being built. But this is only part of the story.
One of the most pressing and underestimated challenges in India is enabling home charging for apartment residents. While installing a home charger in an independent house is relatively straightforward, those living in multi-dwelling units often face resistance from Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). There have been numerous cases where EV owners have struggled to get permission to install chargers in their designated parking spots.
In some instances, residents have had to take legal action against their RWAs. These unnecessary hurdles create friction for potential EV adopters, discouraging ownership despite the clear benefits. This is where policy intervention becomes crucial. State and central governments must ensure that EV owners have the right to install chargers in their residential parking spaces. Clear mandates and streamlined procedures for housing societies can make a significant difference.
Just as water and electricity are considered basic needs in a home, charging access must be seen through the same lens. A fundamental shift is needed in how we talk about and plan for EV charging. The narrative must move beyond DC fast chargers and include widespread deployment of AC chargers — particularly in homes, apartment complexes, workplaces, and public destinations. Policy makers, many of whom still drive ICE vehicles themselves, often misunderstand the real needs of EV users.
Charging convenience isn’t about finding a fast charger nearby; it’s about making sure the vehicle is charged when not in use. In that context, accessibility and simplicity matter more than speed.
To support the transition to electric mobility, three things are needed:
- Simplified permissions for installing home and workplace chargers, especially in shared spaces.
- Public education to bust myths around charging and promote awareness of home-based charging.
- Balanced investments, where DC fast chargers are built alongside — not in place of — a distributed network of AC chargers.
As EV adoption accelerates in India and around the world, our mindset around fueling — or rather, charging — must evolve. Charging infrastructure is not a carbon copy of the petrol pump model. It’s smarter, more distributed, and inherently more convenient if implemented correctly.
The focus must shift from a few high-powered stations to enabling millions of everyday charging opportunities — at homes, offices, shops, and everywhere in between. That’s the real backbone of EV infrastructure, and it’s time we built it with the urgency it deserves.
Karthikeyan Palanisamy is a CEO of Zeon Charging. Views expressed are the author’s personal.