The Bombay High Court has said that housing societies will need norms for electric vehicle (EV) charging. The court made the observation while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a resident of a housing society in Mumbai.
The PIL petitioner, Amit Dholakia, had argued that the housing society was not allowing him to install an EV charging station in his garage. He said that the society did not have any norms for EV charging and that the society's managing committee had refused to allow him to install a charging station.
The Bombay High Court bench, comprising Justices S V Gangapurwala and SG Dige, issued a notice to the state government and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, seeking their response to the PIL. The court also posted the matter for further hearing on January 6, 2023.
Why housing societies need norms for EV charging
The Bombay High Court's observation that housing societies will need norms for EV charging is significant for a number of reasons.
- Growing adoption of EVs: The adoption of EVs is growing rapidly in India. In FY22, EV sales in India grew by over 300%. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
- Need for EV charging infrastructure: As the adoption of EVs grows, there is a need to develop EV charging infrastructure. Housing societies play an important role in providing EV charging infrastructure to their residents.
- Safety concerns: There have been a number of incidents of fire and explosions involving EV charging stations. This highlights the need for safety norms for EV charging.
Benefits of housing societies having norms for EV charging
Housing societies having norms for EV charging will have a number of benefits, including:
- Accelerated adoption of EVs: Housing societies having norms for EV charging will make it easier for residents to switch to EVs. This will help to accelerate the adoption of EVs in India.
- Reduced air pollution: EVs produce zero emissions, so housing societies having norms for EV charging will help to reduce air pollution. Air pollution is a major public health concern in India, and housing societies having norms for EV charging can play a significant role in improving air quality.
- Improved public health: Air pollution is a major cause of respiratory and other health problems. Housing societies having norms for EV charging will help to improve public health by reducing air pollution.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: EVs produce zero greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change. Housing societies having norms for EV charging will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector in India.
Challenges
Housing societies will need to address some challenges in order to develop norms for EV charging, including:
- Cost: Installing EV charging stations can be expensive. Housing societies will need to find ways to make EV charging stations more affordable for residents.
- Space: Housing societies may not have enough space to install EV charging stations for all residents. Housing societies will need to find creative ways to install EV charging stations without compromising on parking space for residents.
- Safety: Housing societies will need to ensure that EV charging stations are installed and operated safely. Housing societies will need to develop safety norms for EV charging and train their staff on these norms.
Conclusion
The Bombay High Court's observation that housing societies will need norms for EV charging is a welcome development. It shows that the court is aware of the importance of EV charging infrastructure and the role that housing societies can play in developing this infrastructure.
Housing societies will need to address some challenges in order to develop norms for EV charging, but the benefits of doing so outweigh the challenges. By developing norms for EV charging, housing societies can help to accelerate the adoption of EVs, reduce air pollution, improve public health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Additional thoughts
The Indian government is supportive of the EV industry and has set ambitious targets for the growth of the industry. The government has offered a number of incentives for the adoption of EVs, such as subsidies, tax breaks, and priority parking. The government has also set a target of having 30% of all new vehicle sales in India to be electric by 2030.
The Bombay High Court's observation that housing societies will need norms for EV charging is in line with the Indian government's targets for the EV industry. The court's observation will help India to achieve its EV goals and make the country a leader in the EV market.
Other housing societies in India are also developing norms for EV charging. This is a good sign for the EV industry in India. It shows that housing societies are aware of the importance of EV charging infrastructure and are committed to making EVs more accessible to their residents.
The growing interest in EV charging infrastructure among housing societies is a sign of the growing adoption of EVs in India.
