Let us just imagine a future whereby every second or every third car will be an electric car. Petrol pumps are replaced by high tech EV charge stations. It is no film set-up but this is what is already going on in India.

With an increase in popularity of electric vehicles, there is a rapid growth in demand of EV charging stations. And this is now viewed by people as a new business. However, rather than start a chain of electric car stations at zero, intelligent investors are partnering with the large brands with the EV charging station franchise concept.

So what is the huge question?

How much is the EV charging station franchise cost in India?

Will it be economical? It is profitable? Are charges uncovered?

This informative blog will solve all your queries in clear words- and also talk about true cost of investment and examples and how you can save money.

What’s an EV Charging Station Franchise?

A franchise implies that you open and manage the EV filling station under the name of a famous business. You give them some money (and this money is called the franchise fee), and they help you:

• Pick location
• Install chargers
• Give software/apps
• Train you or your personnel
• Screen customer services

You are still the owner, but the company supports fully. It is like owning an outlet of McDonalds- but in this case, it would be EVs.

1. Why an EV Charging Franchise is a Smart Business Move

Before we talk about costs, let’s see why this is a great opportunity:

• Exploding Demand – More EVs = More charging demand. By 2030, as many as 30% of all cars could be electric! 
• Government Support – Many governments have tax credits, grants, & subsidies to help you get started.
• Passive Income – Once your charging stations are up & running, they are making money 24/7 with little maintenance.
• Future-Proof Business – The demand for gas stations is going down, the demand for EV charging is going up, and fast.

Real example:

• Tesla has worldwide over 45,000 superchargers.
• ChargePoint operates over 200,000 charging spots across North America and Europe.
• This isn’t a trend — it’s the future of transportation.

Read This Also -: Largest EV Charging hub in India Launched in Bengaluru – A Big Step Towards an EV Future!

Types of EV Charging Station Franchise Models

All charging stations are not same. What type of setup you are going to adopt, matters to your investment and returns. The most common ones are the following:

1. Public Charging station 

• They are installed in markets, malls metro stations etc.
• It is free to every EV user
• Are either slow or fast chargers

2. Fleet Charging Stations

• In the case of commercial electric vehicles such as Ola, Uber and delivery vans
• Are stations that are close to hubs, depots or even industrial areas

 3. Highway Fast Charging Hubs

• Located on the expressways or highways
• Adopted by EV commuters of long distances
• Mostly DC fast chargers (high-profit, high-cost)

4. Community and or Society Charging

• Installation in the housing societies or the gated communities is being done.
• Residents use it only
• Mostly AC or semi-fast chargers

It is important to select the right type. It influences the cost of your EV charging station franchise, maintenance and the daily earnings.

Detailed Cost Breakdown: What Will You Actually Spend?

The EV charging station franchise cost is based on the size of the land, the type of charger, the company and the state. Here, however, is a general breakdown:

Cost Component	Amount ( Approximate )
Franchise Fee	Rs 2 – 5 lakhs
Fast Chargers ( DC – 60kw )	Rs 6 – 10 lakhs
Installation & Civil work	Rs 1 – 2 lakhs
Electrical setup & Transformer	Rs 3 – 6 lakhs
Branding & signage	Rs 50000 – 1 lakh
Software & Billing System	Rs 50000 – 1 lakh
Government Approvals & Licenses	Rs 50000 – 1 lakh
Total Estimated Cost	Rs 15 – 25 lakhs

Real Example:

A public EV charging station was opened with a partnership between Statiq and Mukesh from Nagpur, with ₹16.5 Lakhs being spent. He used semi-fast chargers and leased land near a shopping mall, saving on location cost.

Hidden Costs That Most People Miss

Included in the calculation of the cost of the EV charging station franchise, you should not forget about hidden or additional costs that come later:

• Transformer Upgrade: ₹2–₹4 Lakhs extra if your area lacks load capacity
• Land Lease Rent: ₹15,000 – ₹50,000/month (if land is not your own)
• Delay Costs: Delays in getting DISCOM or government approvals
• Security Setup: CCTV, fire extinguishers, fencing, etc.

These costs can increase your total budget by 15–30%.

How Do You Make Money from an EV Charging Franchise?

You have a high EV charging station franchise cost but the potential of making profits is high. This is how you make money:

• Pay-Per-Use Fees -Campaign on a pay-per-use basis to the drivers at the rate coming up as 0.20 to 0.50 dollars/kWh (or per minute).
• Membership Plans – Sell monthly passes (e.g., 20 dollars per month gives discounts).
• Ad Partnerships – Local business owners pay to have adverts around your station.
• Government Funding -Some nations will pay up to 30,000 dollars a charger or 5,000 dollars a charger to install it!

Example:

• Fast Charger in Texas earns a monthly revenue of 1,500$ on fees.
• Additional income is derived out of human traffic by Shopping Mall Charger.

Is EV Charging Franchise a Good Idea?

• Yes, when:

1. Your investment amount is 50K and above.
2. Your EV traffic is on high (highways, cities).
3. You are able to acquire government grants.

• No, when:

1. The community you live does not have many EV motorists.
2. You cannot afford some hidden expenses (maintenance, upgrades).

How to Start Your EV Charging Station Franchise (Step-by-Step in 2025)

1. Research Your Market- Go into your city and see how many EVs there are.
2. Go independent or pick a Franchise; what are the cost pros and cons of each?
3. Good location of the shop- around highways, malls or offices.
4. Apply for Permits & Incentives – Get government assisted savings.
5. Install & Sell Your Station – Attract the drivers with promotions

Government Subsidies and EV Policy Benefits in 2025

To encourage green energy, the central and state governments are providing funding on EV charging infrastructure.

1. Subsidy: FAME II Subsidy by Central Government

• Each AC charger costs 1 Lakh
•  DC fast chargers 50kW+ cost more than 10 Lakhs each.
• Varies with type and location of charger

2. Subsidy by State Government:

• Delhi: 30,000 points: Rs 6000 per slow charger (up to 30000)
• Maharashtra: Discounts and stamp duty as well as electricity discounts
• Rajasthan: 30% subsidy on capital cost of setting-up
• Karnataka: Exemptions on electricity duty

Note: The EV policy information can change. Be sure to always visit the EV policy website of your state to have the latest facts.

Top EV Charging Franchise Brands in India (2025 Edition)

Here’s a list of top companies offering EV charging station franchises in India:

Brand	Investment Needed	Royalty Fee	Support Type
Tata Power EZ Charge	₹20 – ₹25 Lakhs	Yes	Full setup, training
Statiq	₹10 – ₹15 Lakhs	No	Software + operations
ChargeZone	₹15 – ₹20 Lakhs	Yes	App, support, analytics
Jio-bp Pulse	₹18 – ₹25 Lakhs	Yes	Brand + marketing + tech
Volttic	₹12 – ₹16 Lakhs	No	Charger + guidance

Each brand has its own pros. Tata Power offers the strongest trust and long-term support.

ROI Calculator: When Will You Start Earning Profit?

Let’s do simple math:

• Average Revenue Per Charge: ₹150 – ₹250
• Vehicles Charged Daily (per charger): 6 – 10
• Monthly Income (2 chargers): ₹80,000 – ₹1.2 Lakhs
• Annual Income: ₹10 – ₹14 Lakhs
• Break-even Time: 2 to 2.5 years

Real Case:

Priya from Ahmedabad installed two 60kW chargers under ChargeZone. She charges 12 vehicles a day and makes ₹1.4 Lakhs/month. She expects to recover the full cost in 20 months.

How Location Affects EV Charging Franchise Cost and Income

• Metro Cities: Expensive but really busy
• Tier-2 Cities: cheap, steady demand
• Highways: It is expensive to enter, but profits are very high.
• Rural : Lower growth, however low installation cost

Tip: Select places in malls, hospitals, schools, or IT parks.

EV Charging Station Franchise Cost reduction tips

These are clever tips to reduce your invest:

1. Start Mini: Start by buying 1 charger and get it upgraded later
2. Lease Land: Do not buy land- save upto 10 to 50 Lakhs of rupees.
3. Early application of Subsidies: it is a time-consuming process and should be done during set up.
4. Form collaborations with Housing Societies: share costs and profits.
5. Shared Charging Models: Allows nearby EV users to reserve your charger through apps.

Legal and Regulatory Costs You Must Know

Before opening your station, you’ll need:

• Commercial electricity connection (₹20,000+)
• Electrical safety clearance from DISCOM
• Pollution control clearance (some states)
• Fire NOC (for fast chargers)
• GST registration and TDS handling

These may add ₹50,000 – ₹2 Lakhs to your overall cost.

Franchise vs. Independent Setup: Which Is Better?

 

Feature	Franchise Model	Independent Setup
Setup Time	Fast	Slower
Brand Trust	High	None (need to build it)
Investment Risk	Medium	Higher
Support & Training	Included	Must arrange yourself
Cost	Higher upfront	Lower if self-managed

If you’re new to EV business, franchise is a safer choice.

Common Mistakes First-Time Investors Make

• Failure to check the electricity load at the place
• Forget about the AMC costs
• Selecting inappropriate location
• Failure to read franchise agreement well
• Depending only on subsidy for cost recovery

Just save lakhs of rupees by avoiding later on.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How much sq.ft  land do I need?

➡ 150–300 sq.ft land is enogh for a 1-2 charger setup

Q2. Can I get bank finance?

➡ Yes, many banks are offering EV infra business loans

Q3. Do my technical background is needed?

➡ No, full support and training are being offered by most of the franchises

Q4. Can I start with just one charger?

➡ Yes, but there will be low earnings in the beginning

Q5. franchise or own station – What’s Better?

➡ Franchise is safer for beginners. Independent gives more control but higher risk is present.

Final Thoughts: Is an EV Charging Station Franchise Right for You?  

At first, the cost of building an EV (electric vehicle) charging station franchise may appear high, however, if one takes the time to consider the breakdown, this is one of the secure businesses to invest in for the future. Here are a few reasons why: 

The Benefits are Greater than the Costs

• Expanding Market: With government agencies requesting a 100 percent electric car sales in the next decade, the need for charging stations will continue to grow quickly from now through the future. 
• Multiple Revenue Streams: You do not just earn from the electric charging fees—advertising, memberships and partnerships also bring in cash to your operation. 
• Low Operational Costs: Certainly unlike a traditional gas space, you do not have to buy truckloads of fuel, worrying about complex infrastructure for maintenance. 

Possible Downsides (and How to Deal with Them) 

• Significant Start-up Cost? → Look for slices of government grant funding (Funded by the big oil industry—many have been looking to subsidize between 30-50% on installation costs). 
• Not Many EV Users in Your Region? → Install 1-2 charging stations and look to grow installallation over time, as demand allows. 
• There are Similar Charging Stations Nearby? → Your customers will naturally want to charge at a location very nearby where other facilities are available. Consider your competition and build your business in the right location (like near malls, major highways, or business offices).  

Smart Idea for Beginners 

If you are unsure where to start: 

Install a couple of Level 2 chargers to an existing busy parking lot. 

Team with the joint owner of the parking lot, (such as a local café or grocery store), to share expenses. 

Finally charge smartly, so as to maximize profits.

So, what’s your take? Are you ready to dive into this opportunity?

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