Electricity consumption at public charging stations in India jumped by over 72% in the last fiscal year, signaling a significant rise in electric vehicle (EV) usage across the country. Data from the Central Electricity Authority shows that public chargers consumed 1,460 million units of electricity in fiscal year 2025-26, up from 848 million units in the previous year. This increase highlights India's accelerating shift towards cleaner energy in its automotive sector.[timesofindia]
Heavy-Duty Vehicles Drive Charging Demand
Heavy-duty public chargers, used by electric buses, trucks, high-capacity passenger coaches, and commercial fleet vehicles, accounted for most of this electricity consumption. These vehicles consumed over 74% of the electricity in FY26. Light and medium personal and commercial e-vehicles made up the remaining 26% of public charging consumption. In FY25, heavy-duty vehicles consumed 70% of the electricity, indicating a growing reliance on public infrastructure for larger electric transport.[timesofindia]
Total EV sales in India surpassed 2.5 million units in 2025. This marked a robust 24.6% year-on-year growth. Electric vehicles now represent nearly 8.5% of all new vehicle registrations in the country. This growth is strong across two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and passenger vehicle segments.[timesofindia]
Global Expansion of Charging Networks
The growth in public charging is not unique to India. Globally, the number of public chargers has doubled since 2022, reaching more than 5 million. Over 1.3 million public charging points were added worldwide in 2024, an increase of more than 30% compared to the previous year. These new charging points in 2024 alone were roughly equal to the total number available in 2020.[iea]
China has led much of this expansion, accounting for about two-thirds of the growth in public chargers since 2020. The country now holds approximately 65% of the global charging infrastructure and 60% of electric light-duty vehicle stock. In Europe, the number of public charging points grew more than 35% in 2024 from 2023, reaching just over 1 million.[iea]
US Market Sees Steady Infrastructure Growth
The United States also expanded its public charging infrastructure. The U.S. charging stock increased by 20% in 2024, reaching just under 200,000 public charging points. By July 2026, the U.S. had over 250,800 public charging ports, including Level 2 and direct current fast chargers, at more than 81,000 station locations.[iea+1]
Fast chargers are becoming more common. The global stock of fast chargers, with power output between 22 kW and 150 kW, reached 2 million in 2024. Ultra-fast chargers, delivering 150 kW or more, grew by over 50% in 2024 and now make up nearly 10% of all fast chargers. The cost of ultra-fast chargers fell by 20% between 2022 and 2024.[iea]
Home Charging Remains Dominant, Public Use Essential
While home charging remains the most popular method for EV owners, public chargers are vital for widespread EV adoption. Many people, particularly those without access to home charging, rely heavily on public options. Even EV owners with home chargers often use public stations weekly. Public charging infrastructure is key to supporting a broader range of the population in switching to electric vehicles.[iea]
The global electric vehicle charging infrastructure market was valued at $40.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $50.3 billion in 2026. Experts expect it to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 25.0% from 2026 to 2033, reaching $238.8 billion. Asia Pacific held the largest market share in 2025, driven by rising environmental concerns and increasing EV adoption.[grandviewresearch]
Overcoming Challenges in Charging Networks
Despite rapid growth, the expansion of EV charging networks faces several obstacles. Inadequate charging infrastructure, issues with charging speed and grid capacity, and barriers related to interoperability and payment systems are critical challenges. High operating and maintenance costs also pose significant hurdles. Many regions experience "charging deserts" where stations are scarce, making it difficult for EV owners to rely on their vehicles for daily use.[exploren]
In the United States, a fragmented regulatory landscape also complicates infrastructure development. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, a federal initiative, is implemented by individual states, leading to varying rules and requirements. This patchwork of regulations can create financial burdens for companies building charging stations.[appraisalengine]
Used EV Market Sees Strong Gains
The overall EV market continues to evolve. In the U.S., new EV sales saw a modest 3.2% increase in July from June, but were down 41.5% from July 2025. This decline is partly due to the expiration of federal EV tax credits last year. However, the used EV market is showing strong momentum. Used EV sales in the U.S. increased 7.9% month-over-month and 10.1% year-over-year in July 2026, reaching 36,810 units.[grist+2]
"The used market is so hot," Scott Case, CEO of Recurrent, a company providing EV data, told Grist. He noted that dealers cite fuel costs as a key reason people are choosing electric vehicles.[grist]
As electric vehicle sales continue to rise, the demand for robust and accessible charging infrastructure will remain a top priority globally. Continued investment and innovation in charging technology and network expansion are essential to support this growing shift to electric transportation.
