Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India is advocating for a unified platform to provide real-time information on all charging stations across various service providers, aiming to simplify electric vehicle (EV) charging for customers.
Mercedes-Benz India MD and CEO Santosh Iyer emphasized that a common app would enhance convenience for EV owners and drive wider adoption of electric vehicles in the country. In an interview with PTI, Iyer noted the need to streamline India’s charging infrastructure, comparing it to the seamless functionality of a UPI-based system.
“Currently, EV owners need multiple apps to access different charging networks. We are urging the government to introduce a system where all charging platforms are integrated, offering a unified solution,” Iyer said. While India leads in digital innovation, its EV charging systems are fragmented, with payment gateways and apps not synchronized, he added.
Iyer highlighted that in countries like Germany, Mercedes customers can pay for services, including charging, through a single app. However, India lacks a single charge point operator that can aggregate these services, complicating the experience for EV owners.
He stressed that if the system is made more user-friendly, more customers will switch to electric vehicles. Otherwise, the complexity may deter them from entering the EV market. Iyer urged the government to develop a unified platform, with all operators integrated into it.
Last year, there were reports of the government working on a master app to help users locate charging stations. Iyer pointed out the government’s ongoing support for the EV segment, citing initiatives like the PM E-Drive Scheme.
He also noted that Mercedes’ EV sales have doubled from 2.5% to 5% of total sales in the past year, showing growing acceptance among consumers. Mercedes-Benz India currently offers six electric models, including the EQS SUV 580 4MATIC and the EQS sedan, which are produced at its Pune manufacturing facility.
