EV Charging Station Franchise in India – Cost, Profit & How to Start in 2026.

Who is this guide for?

If you already have some land or a commercial property and are looking to have a future-proof business, then an EV charging station franchise in India would be one of the most feasible options for you. This guide is for you, the first-time investor who wants to know the numbers and the steps in a straightforward manner.

By the end of this, you will understand:

• The cost of setting up a franchise station in 2026

• Profit and break-even points

• Key government incentives (PM E-DRIVE, GST, Tariffs, Green Credits)

• What you must do and when, and pitfalls to avoid

• How Savekar can assist you in implementing everything from start to finish

Why choose a franchise instead of going solo?

EV charging is more than just purchasing an EV charging station. You will also require software, availability monitoring, payment processing, coordination with the utility company, and your brand on the apps. This is where the franchise business model comes in handy, as it provides you with everything.

The best networks, such as Tata Power EZ Charge, ChargeZone, Zeon, and many more, operate massive public charging infrastructure and provide the following:

• Common hardware and designs

• Mobile apps to allow EV owners to locate and reserve a charging station

• Remote monitoring and maintenance

• Assistance with branding and marketing

This significantly reduces the amount you have to learn compared to doing it all by yourself.

2026 cost of an EV charging station franchise

Typical setup cost (franchise model)

Here is a brief overview of the usual investments that would be made in a city-level franchise investment in the year 2026.

For a small investment with 2 AC chargers and one 30–60 kW DC charger, the investment costs would be around ₹15–30 lakh.

The highway hubs with multiple DC fast chargers would easily cross ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, but they also have greater profit potential.

Profit, operating costs and break-even

Operating costs you must plan for

Most guides are based on revenue. To get the actual profit, add the following expenses:

• Cost of electricity: mass rate from DISCOM (typically ₹6–9 per unit for commercial establishments)

• Demand charges or fixed charges: vary according to the sanctioned load

• Site rent or cost of land (if you are not the owner)

• Labour, security, and housekeeping (if required)

• Maintenance and software charges to the franchise or network

• Payment gateway and app charges (a nominal percentage of every transaction)

Example scenario (for understanding)

Let's suppose that your station sells about 300 kWh/day at an average price of ₹12/kWh as per the current public tariff bands.

• Monthly gross revenue: 300 × 30 × 12 = ₹1,08,000

• The cost of electricity: ₹7/kWh = ₹63,000

• Other OPEX (Rent, staff, maintenance, payment charges, Misc.): ₹20,000

This is a greatly simplified scenario, but the net operating profit would be roughly ₹20,000 – ₹25,000 per month before taxation, with chances of improvement as the utilisation increases.

By investing in the range of ₹20–25 lakhs, most franchisees can break even within 3–5 years as utilisation grows and incentives come in from the government that help in reducing capex costs.

Government benefits you can tap into in 2026

The government is currently concentrating on building infrastructure for charging. The crucial elements are:

• PM E-DRIVE Scheme: An umbrella scheme that extends the incentives for electric vehicles and charging infrastructure beyond FAME-II.

• 5% GST on chargers and charging services: Profit margins are increased because this is less than the GST rates for many other services.

• Tariff support and concessional power: Certain states provide lower tariffs at night, exemption from demand charges, or preferential EV charging tariffs.

• RDSS-backed upgrades: The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme supports DISCOM upgrades, which indirectly help in making new high-load connections for charging.

• Carbon/green credits: As policy structures change, those who operate clean infrastructure are likely to gain from tradable credits and sustainable finance structures.

Licensing: what you need vs what you don’t

Requirements (What you need)

• A commercial electricity connection with an appropriately sanctioned load from the DISCOM

• Ownership of land or a registered lease agreement

• NOC and construction permits from the concerned municipal or panchayat authorities, if applicable

• Strictly follow state standard operating procedures and the Central Electricity Authority's (CEA) fire and electrical safety regulations

• Business registration (GST, bank account, PAN, etc.)

Exclusions (What you don’t)

• Electricity distribution license

• Licenses similar to a central dealership for petrol pumps

• Special environmental clearance in most standard urban settings

Step-by-step plan to start your franchise

Common mistakes new franchise owners make

• Failure to consider operating expenses

• Underpricing charging tariffs

• Poor signage and discoverability

• No fleet partnerships

• Inadequate maintenance planning

• No future-proofing strategy

Mini case studies (illustrative)

Case Study 1 – City Mall Franchise

With an investment of ₹18 lakh (after subsidies) in the basement of a Tier-1 mall, with one 30 kW DC charger and two AC chargers, we are able to generate around 220 kWh per day in about 18 months.

Case Study 2 – Highway Food Plaza Hub

With a ₹32 lakh highway hub, with two 60 kW DC chargers and AC charging points, we leveraged tourist and cargo traffic for faster utilisation.

How Savekar helps you win (Value Proposition)

Savekar simplifies the entire process by being your one-stop partner throughout the entire life cycle:

• Strategy & Feasibility

• Project Structuring

• Approvals & Compliance

• Execution & Integration

• Post-Launch Optimisation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is a franchise EV charging station profitable in India?
Profitability is possible.

Q2. How much land will I require for a franchise station?
500–1,500 square feet.

Q3. Do I require experience in the EV industry or the power industry?
Not necessarily.