ICPOA Maps Strategy for India's Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Development

The Indian Charge Point Operators Association (ICPOA) conducted its annual Bharat EV Charging Conclave 2025 at The Lalit hotel in New Delhi, assembling key stakeholders from across India's electric vehicle charging ecosystem.

The event brought together charge point operators, equipment manufacturers, electric mobility service providers, government officials, utilities, and technology specialists to discuss infrastructure development strategies and policy frameworks supporting India's transition to electric mobility.

ICPOA, established as a Section 8 not-for-profit organization, positions itself as the country's first industry body focused exclusively on EV charging infrastructure. The association aims to facilitate industry collaboration, influence policy development, and enhance consumer awareness regarding electric vehicle adoption.

During the conclave, Awadhesh Kumar Jha, Executive Director of Glida and ICPOA Chairman, outlined the organization's objectives. "Charging was treated as a footnote, not as the foundation of EV adoption," Jha stated. "ICPOA was created to put charging at the center of India's mobility transition."

The association's founding membership includes sixteen companies: GLIDA, ChargeZone, Zeon, EVRE, Magenta Mobility, Jio-BP Mobility, ADOR, Exicom, Tirex, Mindra, Gentari, VNT, Bright Blu, One Plug, Pulse Energy, and Plugzmart. The organization reports ongoing expansion as market conditions evolve.

Key initiatives presented at the conclave include the Know Your Battery (KYB) consumer education program and efforts to develop standardized charging protocols across different operators and regions. The association emphasizes interoperability and reliability as critical factors for widespread EV adoption.

The conclave featured multiple discussion sessions covering government policy frameworks, grid integration challenges, renewable energy incorporation, and technology advancement in charging infrastructure. Representatives from automotive manufacturers shared insights on vehicle deployment strategies and consumer confidence-building measures.

India's electric vehicle market recorded sales exceeding 1.5 million units across all categories in FY2024, according to industry data. The government has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2070, with electric vehicle adoption forming a central component of this environmental strategy.

The charging infrastructure sector faces ongoing challenges including standardization across operators, grid capacity management, and consumer education regarding charging processes and battery maintenance. ICPOA positions itself as a coordinating body to address these industry-wide concerns through collaborative approaches.

Utility companies and energy partners participating in the conclave focused discussions on renewable energy integration and electrical grid preparedness for increased charging demand. Technology providers presented research findings and development initiatives aimed at improving public charging reliability and user experience.

The association's formation reflects growing recognition within the industry that charging infrastructure development requires coordinated effort beyond individual company initiatives. As electric vehicle adoption accelerates across passenger and commercial segments, infrastructure adequacy remains a critical factor influencing consumer purchasing decisions and overall market growth.