Key Points
- EV charging stations will store energy and push power back to homes and buildings
- Smart charging shifts EV charging schedules based on renewable generation levels
- Vehicle-to-grid technology transforms passive charging into bidirectional energy systems
India added over 30,000 public EV charging stations in 2025, but most remain simple power outlets rather than intelligent infrastructure. As the country targets 30 per cent EV adoption by 2030, the question of how charging networks interact with an already strained power grid has become urgent. Dr Bharat Bhushan, Executive Director, Radius Synergies International, argues that charging stations must evolve from passive endpoints into active participants in grid management.
In an interview with TechObserver.in, he explains how smart charging, vehicle-to-grid technology and real-time data could reshape India’s energy landscape. “The integration of near real time data from multiple sources would enable the charging stations to be highly participative in grid management, energy optimisation, bidirectional energy flow and dynamic pricing,” Bhushan said.
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Edited excerpts:
How do you see EV charging networks evolving beyond their current function as simple power points?
What started as simple EV charging stations are definitely morphing into intelligent energy hubs. Over the next few years, charging stations are expected to do a lot more than simply charge. They will store energy during off-peak hours, balance grid demand in real time, and even push power back to homes and buildings as and when needed.
All this is possible because of technology intervention, especially IoT (internet of things, where devices communicate with each other through the internet) and cloud computing, that helps capture and process data in near real time. This integration of near real time data from multiple sources would enable the charging stations to be highly participative in grid management, energy optimisation, bidirectional energy flow and dynamic pricing.
How can EV charging networks help balance supply and demand as more solar and wind power enters the grid?
EV charging stations surely have the potential to do such a balancing act with the increasing proliferation of renewable energy sources.
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First could be smart charging based on demand flexibility, whereby time shifts can be applied to EV charging. Schedules can be such that charging is encouraged when renewable generation is high and discouraged during peak grid demand.
Charging stations can also have battery storage systems for excess storage and deferred utilisation, though it can have cost implications. Dynamic pricing and demand response through data-driven decisions can also help create a balance, with lower tariffs when renewable generation is high and higher tariffs during peak demand.
What does vehicle-to-grid technology actually change about how charging infrastructure works?
All these and similar related technologies, at the most basic level, are helping transform the EV charging network from being a passive and unidirectional charging network to a much more active, intelligent and bidirectional ecosystem.
V2G (vehicle-to-grid, where EVs can send stored power back to the electricity network rather than only drawing from it) and similar technologies enable the charging networks to be more closely integrated with the power grid and enable load management. Such a technology-driven ecosystem enables features such as flexible demand, dynamic pricing, peak load management, distributed storage and real-time data-driven optimisation.
What happens to grid stability as EV adoption rises but charging remains unmanaged?
As the EV adoption rates rise and the charging is unmanaged, it can lead to increased peak loads, leading to outages, hampering grid stability and related problems.
To overcome such problems, the approach towards EV charging has to transition from anytime charging to smart charging. Such smart charging strategies have to be adopted by EV charging operators in sync with the utilities and more so in an automated, data-driven manner.
What specific strategies can charging operators use to avoid overburdening the grid?
The strategies can be a mix of approaches. Managed charging is one. Time of use and dynamic pricing is another, where you charge more during peak demand and less when the grid has surplus capacity.
Creating large energy storage systems helps as well. Facilitating vehicle-to-grid integration allows EVs themselves to become distributed storage. And utilising advanced AI and machine learning algorithms for high-confidence level predictions can help operators anticipate demand before it strains the grid.
You mentioned cost implications for battery storage at charging stations. Is that a barrier to adoption?
It can have cost implications, yes. The upfront investment for battery storage systems is significant. But the economics improve when you consider the revenue from grid services, the savings from avoiding peak tariffs, and the ability to store cheaper renewable energy for later use. The question is whether operators and utilities can align their incentives to make this work.
How far is India from having charging stations that actively participate in grid management rather than just drawing power?
The technology exists. What we need is the regulatory framework to allow bidirectional energy flow and compensate EV owners and charging operators for grid services. Some pilots are underway. The challenge is scaling this from demonstration projects to standard infrastructure across the country.
What would you tell a charging operator who says this is too complex and they just want to sell electricity?
I would say that the simple model of selling electricity will face pressure as EV penetration rises. If charging remains unmanaged, utilities will impose restrictions or penalties during peak hours. Operators who invest in smart charging now will have a competitive advantage. Those who do not may find their business model unsustainable as the grid constraints become more severe.
Your Questions, Answered
How will EV charging stations change in the next few years?
Charging stations will evolve into intelligent energy hubs that store energy during off-peak hours, balance grid demand in real time and push power back to homes and buildings using IoT and cloud computing.
What is vehicle-to-grid technology?
V2G allows electric vehicles to send stored power back to the electricity network rather than only drawing from it, transforming EVs into distributed storage units that can help stabilise the grid.
How can smart charging help integrate renewable energy?
Smart charging shifts EV charging schedules to times when solar and wind generation is high, combined with dynamic pricing that offers lower tariffs during surplus renewable generation and higher tariffs during peak demand.
What happens if EV charging remains unmanaged as adoption rises?
Unmanaged charging can lead to increased peak loads, power outages and grid instability. The solution is transitioning from anytime charging to smart charging coordinated between operators and utilities.