India's public EV charging network has expanded nearly fourfold in two years, while geographic disparities persist and commercial vehicle charging infrastructure remains limited.

An analyst speaking to the press ahead of this year's Renewable Energy India Expo and The Battery Show India, co-located with the Energy Storage Summit India (ESS India), in Greater Noida from 22nd to 24th October 2026, said charging infrastructure developers and CPOs face differences between overall capacity figures and actual deployment patterns.

Asked whether exhibitors at The Battery Show India are focused on increasing coverage in tier-one cities or expanding into tier-two and tier-three markets, the analyst said, "As of March 2026, India has approximately 27,737 public EV charging stations - a nearly fourfold expansion in just two years. Geographic inequality persists, with metros accounting for a larger share of deployment while tier-two and tier-three cities have fewer charging facilities."

He attributed this concentration to changes in the source of demand for public charging.

"Most houses, residential societies, and offices now have charging ecosystems in place," the analyst said. "Home charging is sufficient for daily commuting needs, reducing the need for public infrastructure - especially in tier-two and tier-three cities where two-wheeler and three-wheeler vehicles (2W/3W) account for a large share of EV adoption."

This corresponds with broader EV adoption trends, with electrification of two-wheelers and three-wheelers advancing faster than four-wheeler adoption. A recent report found that India's EV adoption is being affected by charging infrastructure gaps, particularly for four-wheelers, where range anxiety and charging availability remain barriers.

The analyst said this is affecting the commercial rationale for public charging deployment. "Public charging infrastructure demand is now primarily driven by four-wheeler adoption and commercial fleet owners and operators - segments still heavily concentrated in tier-one cities and intercity corridors."

He described chargepoint operator (CPO) investment decisions as responses to market conditions rather than a lack of investment in smaller cities.

"CPOs are making business decisions based on market conditions," he said. "Metro markets offer higher four-wheeler EV density, better grid reliability, premium pricing potential, and faster ROI. Tier-two and tier-three markets present uncertain demand, grid instability, lower utilisation rates and longer payback periods."

The analyst said the Renewable Energy India Expo and The Battery Show India focus on infrastructure and commercial challenges in the sector. "The RE+ India & The Battery Show India, scheduled from 22-24 October 2026, will provide a forum for discussions on India's energy infrastructure," he said. "Developers and utilities engage with global technology providers on battery chemistry, grid integration systems, and energy management platforms."

Commercial vehicle charging infrastructure remains limited despite electric bus deployment

India's electric bus rollout contrasts with the charging infrastructure available to private logistics and freight operators.

"India's electric bus deployment has increased," the analyst said. "Through government procurement under schemes such as FAME-II and PM-eBus Sewa, cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata are deploying electric buses. As of 2026, India operates one of the world's larger electric bus fleets, with deployments exceeding 10,000 units and targets of up to 50,000 by 2027."

Related: BTC Power supplies chargers for Summit Charging's NEVI-backed US expansion

However, the deployment has not resulted in widely accessible charging infrastructure for commercial fleet operators.

"Public charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles is limited," the analyst said. "Unlike passenger vehicles that can rely on home charging or scattered public chargers, commercial fleets require high-power, high-uptime charging at strategic locations - depots, logistics hubs, highway corridors, and urban distribution centres."

This gap exists alongside challenges involving India's distribution grid capacity, which the analyst identifies as a barrier beyond charger availability.

"Electrifying commercial fleets requires substantial grid capacity," he said. "A single logistics depot charging 50 electric trucks overnight can demand several megawatts - equivalent to powering a small industrial facility. India's distribution infrastructure, particularly in tier-two and tier-three cities where logistics hubs are located, is not equipped for this load."

The issue is compounded by the geographic distribution of logistics operations, which are often located outside metro centres where grid reliability is higher. The difference between locations where commercial charging demand is emerging and areas where grid infrastructure can support it is affecting the pace at which fleet electrification can expand beyond buses.

Partnerships and localisation in infrastructure expansion

The infrastructure and grid capacity challenges are being addressed alongside partnerships intended to coordinate charging network expansion with vehicle deployment. As reported by a local daily, Hyundai Motor India's collaboration with Jio-bp for charging network expansion involves localisation and coordination between vehicle deployment and charging infrastructure.

Meanwhile, global EV and battery manufacturing is expanding through new facilities in India as the country develops its supply chain beyond vehicle assembly. The analyst describes The Battery Show India as a venue where developers, CPOs and technology providers can discuss partnerships and supply chain challenges.