Maharashtra to mandate EV charging points in new housing societies

The Maharashtra government is set to amend the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) to make EV charging points mandatory in parking lots of new buildings, as part of the state's EV Policy 2025. The policy mandates that all parking spaces in new buildings must be equipped with EV charging facilities, and existing societies will be encouraged to install charging stations through incentives.

The transport department has written to the urban development department seeking changes to building proposal regulations, proposing that no new building plans be approved without an adequate plan for charging spots. Officials expect the UDCPR changes to take effect next financial year after the EV policy review by year-end. Existing societies can also install charging stations if 50% of residents demand it, with incentives from power distribution companies and tax concessions from municipal corporations.

A major hurdle for housing societies is the high cost of upgrading existing distribution points, which can cost around Rs 40 lakh for a single charging station with 10 points. The energy department is expected to offer concessions on infrastructure costs, and local bodies may provide tax relief. The urban development department is currently working on the proposal to amend the UDCPR.