How to Set Up EV Charging at Home in India — Cost, Installation, Electricity Bill

Why home charging is essential

If you cannot charge at home, buying an EV becomes significantly less convenient. Public charging exists in metros, but it is:

• 3-4x more expensive than home charging (₹15-20/kWh vs ₹5-10/kWh)
• Not always available when you need it
• Adds 30-60 minutes to your routine

Home charging means you wake up every morning with a full "tank." It is like having a petrol pump in your garage.

Charger types: 3.3 kW vs 7.2 kW

Indian EVs come with two AC charging options:

3.3 kW AC Charger (Standard)

Charging speed:

• Tata Nexon.ev (40 kWh): 0-100% in 13-14 hours
• Tata Tiago.ev (24 kWh): 0-100% in 8-9 hours
• MG ZS EV (50 kWh): 0-100% in 15-16 hours

Best for:

• Overnight charging (charge while you sleep)
• Buyers with limited sanctioned load (5 kW or less)
• Budget-conscious buyers

Pros:

• Cheaper (₹15,000-25,000 installed)
• Works with most existing home electrical connections
• Sufficient if you drive less than 200 km per day

Cons:

• Slow — cannot fully charge a 40 kWh battery in 4-5 hours
• Not suitable if you need to recharge quickly between trips

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7.2 kW AC Charger (Fast)

Charging speed:

• Tata Nexon.ev (40 kWh): 0-100% in 6-7 hours
• Tata Tiago.ev (24 kWh): 0-100% in 4-5 hours
• MG ZS EV (50 kWh): 0-100% in 7-8 hours

Best for:

• Buyers who need faster top-ups
• Homes with higher sanctioned load (7 kW+)
• Buyers with larger batteries (50+ kWh)

Pros:

• Twice as fast as 3.3 kW
• Can add 100-150 km range in 3-4 hours
• Future-proof for larger EVs

Cons:

• More expensive (₹30,000-45,000 installed)
• Requires higher sanctioned load
• Draws more current (may trip breaker if other heavy appliances are running)

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Which should you choose?

Choose 3.3 kW if:

• You park overnight and have 10+ hours to charge
• Your sanctioned load is 5 kW or less
• Your budget is tight

Choose 7.2 kW if:

• You drive 200+ km per day and need faster charging
• You have 7+ kW sanctioned load
• You want the flexibility to charge quickly when needed

Installation process step-by-step

Step 1: Check your parking situation

You need:

• Dedicated parking spot (owned or rented with landlord permission)
• Parking spot within 20 meters of your electricity meter
• Permission from housing society (if applicable)

If you do not have a dedicated parking spot: EV ownership is difficult. Charging from your flat's balcony using an extension cord is unsafe and violates electrical codes.

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Step 2: Check your sanctioned load

Open your electricity bill. Look for "Sanctioned Load" or "Connected Load." This is measured in kW or kVA.

Typical home sanctioned loads:

• 2-3 kW: Small flats, basic appliances
• 4-5 kW: Medium homes, AC + normal appliances
• 7-10 kW: Large homes, multiple ACs

What you need:

• 3.3 kW charger: Minimum 5 kW sanctioned load
• 7.2 kW charger: Minimum 7-8 kW sanctioned load

If your sanctioned load is too low: You need to upgrade (see Step 5).

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Step 3: Get quotes from installers

Option 1: Car manufacturer's authorized installer
Tata, MG, Mahindra, BYD all offer charger installation as a package when you buy the car. Cost: ₹20,000-45,000 depending on charger type.

Option 2: Third-party EV charger companies
Companies like Tata Power, Fortum, Exicom, Kazam install home chargers. They assess your site, provide a quote, and handle installation.

What the quote should include:

• Charger unit (3.3 kW or 7.2 kW)
• Cable and wiring (from meter to parking spot)
• Mounting bracket or stand
• RCBO/MCB (safety circuit breaker)
• Installation labor

Typical costs:

• 3.3 kW charger installed: ₹15,000-25,000
• 7.2 kW charger installed: ₹30,000-45,000

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Step 4: Get permission (if needed)

If you live in a housing society:
Submit a written request to the society committee explaining you want to install an EV charger. Most societies approve this (it is your parking spot and your electricity bill). If they refuse, cite:

• Ministry of Power notification (2022) encouraging EV charging infrastructure
• Offer to get it installed by a certified electrician

If you are a tenant:
Get written permission from your landlord. Offer to pay for the charger installation (you can take the charger with you when you move).

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Step 5: Upgrade sanctioned load (if needed)

If your sanctioned load is below 5 kW and you want to charge an EV, you need to upgrade.

Process:

1. Visit your electricity distribution company office (or apply online)
2. Fill out a load enhancement application
3. Pay the fee (₹3,000-8,000 depending on state and kW increase)
4. Electrician from the discom inspects your wiring
5. Upgrade approved (takes 7-15 days)

Cost examples:

• Delhi (BSES/TATA Power): ₹5,000-8,000 to upgrade from 5 kW to 10 kW
• Bangalore (BESCOM): ₹4,000-6,000 for similar upgrade
• Mumbai (Adani Electricity): ₹5,000-7,000

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Step 6: Installation day

The installer will:

1. Mount the charger on the wall or install a floor stand
2. Run wiring from your meter to the charger (through conduit pipes)
3. Install a dedicated MCB/RCBO (circuit breaker) for the charger
4. Test the charger by plugging in your car
5. Show you how to use it (usually just plug and unplug — very simple)

Installation takes 3-5 hours. You can use the charger the same day.

Monthly electricity cost: Real numbers

Let's calculate the monthly cost for different EVs and driving patterns.

Assumptions:

• Electricity tariff: ₹8/kWh (average domestic tariff in India)
• Charging efficiency: 85% (15% loss in conversion)

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Tata Nexon.ev (40 kWh battery, 325 km real-world range)

Driving 1,000 km per month:

• Energy needed: (1,000 km ÷ 325 km) × 40 kWh = 123 kWh
• Actual consumption (with 15% loss): 123 ÷ 0.85 = 145 kWh
• Monthly cost: 145 kWh × ₹8 = ₹1,160

Compared to petrol car (13 km/l, ₹100/L):

• Petrol cost: 1,000 km ÷ 13 km/l × ₹100 = ₹7,692
• Savings: ₹6,532 per month

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Tata Tiago.ev (24 kWh battery, 250 km real-world range)

Driving 1,000 km per month:

• Energy needed: (1,000 km ÷ 250 km) × 24 kWh = 96 kWh
• Actual consumption: 96 ÷ 0.85 = 113 kWh
• Monthly cost: 113 kWh × ₹8 = ₹904

Savings vs petrol: ₹6,788 per month

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MG ZS EV (50 kWh battery, 360 km real-world range)

Driving 1,500 km per month:

• Energy needed: (1,500 km ÷ 360 km) × 50 kWh = 208 kWh
• Actual consumption: 208 ÷ 0.85 = 245 kWh
• Monthly cost: 245 kWh × ₹8 = ₹1,960

Savings vs petrol: ₹9,580 per month

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Bottom line: Even at ₹8/kWh, EV home charging is 80-85% cheaper than petrol.

Will EV charging increase my electricity bill significantly?

Yes, but it is still far cheaper than petrol.

Example: A family with a Nexon.ev driving 1,000 km/month adds 145 kWh to their monthly electricity consumption.

Before EV:

• Typical household consumption: 300 kWh/month
• Bill: ₹2,400 (assuming ₹8/kWh)

After EV:

• Total consumption: 445 kWh/month
• Bill: ₹3,560
• Increase: ₹1,160

But you are saving ₹6,500+ on petrol. Net savings: ₹5,340 per month.

Charging at night: Time-of-day tariffs

Some states offer cheaper electricity at night:

Example (Delhi):

• Normal tariff: ₹8/kWh
• Night tariff (11 PM - 6 AM): ₹4.50/kWh

If you charge overnight on the night tariff, your cost per km drops even further.

Check your state's electricity board website for time-of-day (ToD) tariff availability.

Common installation issues and solutions

Issue 1: Parking spot is far from the meter (25+ meters)

Solution: Run wiring through the building's common area (with society permission) or use an extension cable rated for the charger's amperage. Cost increases by ₹3,000-8,000 for extra wiring.

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Issue 2: Society refuses permission

Solution: Offer to get the installation done by a certified electrician and provide proof of safety compliance. If they still refuse, escalate to the Registrar of Societies or cite the Ministry of Power's pro-EV directives.

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Issue 3: Meter is old and does not support higher load

Solution: Request a meter upgrade from your electricity provider. Usually free or ₹1,000-2,000 depending on the provider.

The verdict

Home charging setup cost: ₹18,000-50,000 (one-time)
Monthly charging cost: ₹900-2,000 (depending on driving)
Monthly savings vs petrol: ₹5,000-10,000

The one-time setup cost pays for itself in 2-4 months of fuel savings.

Install a 3.3 kW charger if you have basic electrical infrastructure and charge overnight.
Upgrade to 7.2 kW if you drive a lot or want faster charging flexibility.

Without home charging, EV ownership loses 70% of its convenience and cost advantage. If you have a dedicated parking spot, home charging is non-negotiable — it is what makes EV ownership practical in India.