TL;DR
Proposed amendments to India's National Building Code, restricting EV charging in basements due to fire safety, could significantly hinder the country's EV adoption targets.
India's ambitious target of having 30% electric vehicle (EV) penetration by 2030 faces a potential setback due to proposed amendments to the National Building Code (NBC). The draft provisions, citing fire safety concerns, suggest restrictions on parking and charging electric and hybrid vehicles in basement levels of residential and commercial complexes. Specifically, EV charging might be limited to ground levels or compartmentalized spaces not exceeding 200 square meters in the first basement.
Industry experts warn that these rules could significantly discourage EV adoption, especially in urban centers where multi-level basement parking is common. They argue that such restrictions contradict the government's broader initiatives, including subsidies, aimed at accelerating EV integration across the country. The proposed changes have sparked concerns among EV manufacturers and charging infrastructure providers about their impact on consumer perception and sales.