India’s electric vehicle push may have hit an unexpected roadblock, this time from within housing societies. Recently, a Gurugram development shed light on one of the most important aspects of EV ownership: charging.In a recent case, residents of an apartment society were directed to remove private EV chargers installed in basement parking areas. The notice issued by the Resident Welfare Association (RWA), following input from the Haryana Fire Department, clarifies that this is no longer a proposal but a mandatory directive. The move comes after the fire department raised objections and blocked the renewal of the fire no-objection certificate (NOC) for the society. According to the notice, authorities including the DTCP and the fire department have flagged basement EV charging as a safety hazard. Concerns include the potential for short circuits due to increased electrical loads, rapid fire spread in tightly packed parking areas, and poor ventilation in closed basements.Until these issues are resolved and all chargers are removed, renewal of the Society’s Fire NOC will be on hold.
Image: Carto.
Why might this be a barrier to EV ownership?
The order effectively leaves residents with no choice but to rely on public or commercial charging points.EV adoption in India has been strongest in urban areas, particularly among residents of high society. For many buyers, the ability to charge at home is the main reason to switch to an electric vehicle. Without this facility, ownership becomes less practical as public charging costs are significantly higher.
If such restrictions become more common, they could affect consumer confidence. For a segment that relies heavily on overnight home charging, losing access to private chargers can be a serious barrier.
