EV Charging in India: Ecosystem Perspectives and Skilling Opportunities
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) today unveiled a landmark whitepaper on skilling for EV charging infrastructure at Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue India 2025. The whitepaper highlights the critical role of charge point operators (CPOs)–the backbone of EV charging infrastructure–in driving India’s transition to electric mobility. It identifies limited hands-on training opportunities, the absence of standardized training modules for CPOs, and a shortage of qualified trainers with expertise in both technical and operational aspects of EV charging infrastructure as the top barriers to building this workforce.
The study engaged experts from diverse stakeholder groups, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), academic institutions, course curators, and CPOs. A significant portion of these experts are based in emerging EV hubs such as Delhi/NCR, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai. These cities are positioned to become key centres for green job creation due to their growing concentration of EV ecosystem activities and expanding infrastructure. The report also highlights that nearly 50% of the skill requirements for CPOs lie in the installation and testing of EV charging infrastructure, as well as Internet of Things(IoT)-enabled digital applications.
The findings highlight a multidimensional skilling imperative: practical hands-on expertise, advanced technical proficiency, and strong interpersonal and business skills. As India’s EV charging network expands, training modules must progress beyond basic electrical knowledge to include holistic, standards-based curricula that integrate Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI&ML), IoT, and customer service frameworks. This approach will ensure a robust and future-ready workforce capable of sustaining and scaling the nation’s EV infrastructure while generating meaningful employment opportunities in emerging green hubs.