3 weeks ago
EV Growth Stymied by Insufficient Charging Infrastructure in North Andhra
Electric cars run on electricity instead of petrol.
Many people are buying them because they are cheaper to run and better for the environment.
But electric cars need special places called charging stations to fill up their batteries.
In a part of India called North Andhra, there are not enough charging stations.
That means people who own electric cars find it hard to travel far.
They have to plan their trips around the very few charging stations that exist.
One delivery worker said his family bought an electric car to save on fuel, but using it every day is stressful.
The power company APEPDCL says the number of charging stations is growing.
Some new stations are being built, including one near the temple town of Annavaram.
Even so, many car owners feel the growth is too slow and some areas still have no stations at all.
Electric vehicle owners in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam struggle to find reliable, functional charging points.
APEPDCL data shows public charging stations increased between August 2025 and June 2026 across five districts.
Visakhapatnam's charging stations grew from 71 in August 2025 to 84 by March 2026, with usage peaking at 0.176 MU.
EV rental startup founder Shivaji Sharma Kavikondala is setting up a charging station in Annavaram, a spiritual tourist destination.
EV users say the pace of development is inadequate and several areas remain underserved.
- Who
- Electric vehicle owners, including delivery worker R. Karthik, EV rental startup founder Shivaji Sharma Kavikondala, and power utility APEPDCL.
- What
- Rising EV adoption is hampered by insufficient and unreliable public charging infrastructure, even though station numbers are increasing.
- Where
- North Andhra districts: Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam, plus East Godavari, Kakinada, and Eluru; Annavaram.
- When
- Between August 2025 and June 2026, the period covered by APEPDCL charging station data.
- Why
- Families switch to EVs to reduce fuel costs and support eco-friendly transport, but limited charging access causes delays and anxiety and risks slowing EV adoption.
EV Users' Perspective
Officials & Industry Perspective
Adequacy of charging infrastructure
EV Users' Perspective
EV owners say charging points are too few and often non-functional, forcing them to plan journeys around scarce stations and causing delays and anxiety in daily use.
Officials & Industry Perspective
APEPDCL data shows public charging stations increased across districts between August 2025 and June 2026, and officials say expansion plans are under way, with operators adding stations such as one in Annavaram.
Momentum of EV adoption
EV Users' Perspective
Unless infrastructure gaps are bridged quickly, the region's transition to electric mobility risks losing momentum.
Officials & Industry Perspective
Demand for electric vehicles is rising, and the government's push for sustainable transport will require rapid and equitable expansion of charging facilities to ensure adoption does not falter.
Key facts
- Reported EV owners affected
- 12 owners in North Andhra
- Visakhapatnam stations (Aug 2025)
- 71
- Visakhapatnam stations (Mar 2026)
- 84
- Peak charging usage
- 0.176 MU (Visakhapatnam, March 2026)
- Charging operators
- Tata Power, IOCL, HPCL, Reliance BP Mobility, Tesco Charge Zone, municipal and private setups
- Districts with station growth
- Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Kakinada, Eluru, Vizianagaram
- New station under setup
- Annavaram (by an EV rental startup)
Quotes
Shivaji Sharma Kavikondala
Founder of an EV rental startup in Visakhapatnam
“Our company is setting up a charging station in Annavaram to meet the demand, especially since Annavaram is a spiritual tourist destination with a growing need for electric vehicles.”
deccanchronicle.com
“To reduce fuel costs, my family invested in an EV for me. But lack of reliable charging facilities makes daily use stressful.”
deccanchronicle.com









