Karnataka announces new rules for installation of EV chargers in apartments, high-rise buildings

In a major relief for electric vehicle owners in Karnataka, the state Electricity Regulatory Commission has streamlined procedures for installing electric vehicle charging stations in high-rise buildings and large residential buildings.

In a directive to the power department and electricity supply companies (Escoms), the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has directed the authorities to simplify the process of setting up electric vehicle charging units in flats and large housing societies in Bengaluru and the rest of the state. The commission stressed the need to issue detailed guidelines and publish them on its websites for public access.“Flat owners, consumers and occupiers who are allotted specific parking spaces in multi-storey buildings and who wish to install electric vehicle charging points for all types of vehicles including two-wheelers may connect such units as part of their existing approved load or, if required, increase the load as part of the existing category tariff,” the KERC order stated.

In addition, KERC has provided electric vehicle owners with the option to secure new connections within the commission’s electric vehicle charging rate categories and seek approval from electricity supply companies.

“The cabling or wires must be run from the meter panel to the location where the charging points are located in accordance with the safety regulations of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA),” the order emphasised.

The KERC has also directed the Chief Electrical Inspectorate, Karnataka Electrical Inspectorate to issue standards for placement of electricity meters in the metering panel, specifying the type of electrical wiring from metering points to charging stations, safety grounding and standard wiring scheme to ensure utmost safety to occupants and vehicles.

Several apartment dwellers, electric vehicle promoters and WA agency representatives have asked KERC for a detailed standard operating procedure for electric vehicle charging stations due to the practical difficulties associated with installation.

“If any consumer, landlord or RWA wants to install EV charging points in the common areas of flats or buildings, he/she has to obtain permission from Escoms and extend the cabling from the metering panel to the charging points as per CEA safety rules. The meters for such stations have to be kept in the new metering panel,” the KERC regulation states.

Further, KERC has directed Escoms to arrange for servicing of EV charging stations, ensuring compliance with terms of supply, based on requests from owners, RWAs and developers in the apartments.