India’s electric two-wheeler revolution isn’t just about sleek bikes or quiet rides—it’s about how we charge them. From the plugs we use to the policies shaping our roads, here’s a look at the tech and rules driving this change.
Charging Speeds in Real Life: What Indian Riders Actually Experience
Charging electric two-wheelers in India is now a flexible, convenient process, tailored to fit diverse lifestyles and usage patterns. Here’s a streamlined look at what riders actually experience:
Home Charging: The Everyday Routine
- Most city riders rely on home charging, plugging in their scooters overnight for a hassle-free start each morning.
- Typical charging times and ranges:
- Ola S1 Pro (4 kWh): ~6.5 hours for a full charge; up to 195 km range.
- Ather 450X: 80% charge in 4.5 hours.
- Bajaj Chetak 3501: 80% charge in about 3 hours.
- Budget models (Pure EV EPluto 7G, Komaki Ranger): 3-6 hours, depending on battery and charger type.
- Home charging is as simple as plugging in after dinner and waking up to a full battery.
Charging Connector Standards for Indian Two-Wheelers (2025)
| Connector Type | Standard | Key Players | Charging Speed | Compatibility | Adoption Status |
| Type 6 | IEC 62196-6 (Dash-6) | Ola, Ultraviolette, Simple Energy, Bolt.Earth | Up to 12 kW (DC Fast) | 90% of public fast chargers; dominant in metros | Widespread, supported by 90% of OEMs |
| Type 7 (LECCS) | IS 17017-2-7 (BIS) | Ather Energy, Hero MotoCorp, Matter Motors | Up to 12 kW (DC Fast) | Premium models; integrated AC/DC capability | Growing rapidly, 80% new installations |
| CCS2 | IEC 62196-3 | Raptee.HV, Tata, Mahindra | 15–30 kW (DC Fast) | High-voltage bikes; shares car infrastructure | Niche (Raptee T30), expanding |
| CHAdeMO LEV | IEC 61851-25 (Two-Wheeler) | Bharat Charge Alliance (BCA), Okinawa | Up to 15 kW (DC Fast) | Select highway corridors; interoperability focus | Emerging via BCA partnership |
| Combined AC/DC | IS 17017-2-7 (BIS) | Govt.-approved universal standard | 7 kW (AC), 15 kW (DC) | All new public stations (mandated post-2024) | Mandatory for public infrastructure |
Fast Charging: For Quick Top-Ups
Public DC fast chargers are rapidly expanding in Indian cities and along highways, offering a vital boost for delivery riders, intercity commuters, or anyone who forgot to charge overnight.
Key statistics:
Bolt.Earth Blaze DC series:
3 kW: Adds 40 km range in 15 minutes.
6 kW: Adds 80 km in 15 minutes.
12 kW: Adds 100 km in 15 minutes.
Ola Hyperchargers: 50 km range in 18 minutes (12 kW stations), with a target of 100,000+ stations by 2025.
Ather Grid: 2,700+ stations in 230 cities; 15 km range per 10 minutes using CCS2-compatible chargers.
Ultraviolette Supernova: Charges F77 motorcycle from 20% to 80% in under 1 hour at select HPCL fuel pumps and city locations—a significant improvement over the 4 hours needed with a standard home charger.
Real-World Impact
- Delivery riders can grab a 15-minute fast charge between orders, adding enough range to keep working without interruption.
- Long-distance travelers can recharge during a lunch break at highway chargers, making road trips on e-bikes practical.
- Everyday commuters benefit from quick top-ups at public chargers in malls or office parking lots if they forget to charge at home.
Compatibility and Accessibility
- New public chargers now support both Type 6 and Type 7 connectors, making them accessible to most current electric scooters and bikes.
Charging networks are strategically placed at malls, tech parks, highways, and fuel stations, minimizing downtime for high-usage groups like gig workers and long-distance travelers.
Closing the Gap with Petrol Refueling
- While petrol refueling still takes just a few minutes, advanced fast-charging technology is narrowing the difference.
- For most users, a 15–30 minute charging break is now enough to get back on the road with a meaningful range boost.
- With over 26,000 public charging stations across India as of early 2025—and networks expanding monthly—charging an electric two-wheeler is becoming as routine, and almost as quick, as grabbing a cup of tea.
The pace of change in India’s electric two-wheeler charging scene is stunning. Not long ago, riders relied on slow, overnight home charging and lugged around charger modules weighing up to 8 kilos. Now, charging is faster, smarter, and more convenient than ever.
One of the biggest leaps is the move to high-voltage powertrains and universal charging. Raptee. HV’s new HV30, ARAI-certified in 2025, can use CCS2 fast chargers at over 22,000 public car charging stations nationwide.
- 80% charge in under 36 minutes (down from the old five-hour standard)
- Home charging now takes about 1 hour (previously 8–15 hours)
- This high-voltage approach means bikes and scooters can finally share infrastructure with electric cars, making long-distance rides and quick top-ups a reality.
Battery swapping is also taking off. Honda’s Activa e: comes with swappable batteries, and Bengaluru is set to get 250 swapping stations, with Mumbai and Delhi next.
- Swap a depleted battery for a full one in minutes—no more waiting to charge
- Subscription-based Battery as a Service (BaaS):
- ₹1,999 (+GST)/month for up to 40 km daily
- ₹3,599 (+GST)/month for up to 100 km daily
This model slashes upfront EV costs, removes battery worries, and is perfect for delivery riders and fleets who can’t afford downtime.
Charging networks are getting smarter, too. Companies like chargeMOD now offer mobile apps to help riders:
- Find the nearest available charger
- Check real-time status
- Pay seamlessly on the go
Fast chargers are popping up at malls, metro stations, and fuel pumps, so topping up is easy, wherever you are. These networks are built to scale, keeping pace as more people go electric.
All these advances—high-voltage charging, battery swapping, and app-powered smart networks—are making electric two-wheelers more practical and appealing than ever. Charging is quickly becoming faster, easier, and woven into daily life, propelling India’s electric mobility revolution.
India’s electric two-wheeler charging ecosystem is advancing rapidly, thanks to a blend of cutting-edge technology and strong government support. Universal connectors, ultra-fast and smart charging, and battery swapping are making EVs more practical and appealing than ever. Ambitious national and state policies—from PM E-DRIVE to Maharashtra’s and Delhi’s 2025 initiatives—are ensuring that charging is accessible, affordable, and ready for the future. With this momentum, charging your e-scooter is becoming as easy as charging your phone, setting the stage for a cleaner, electrified tomorrow on India’s roads.
