Haryana is moving toward embedding electric vehicle (EV) readiness into its urban infrastructure, with a new proposal aimed at making charging facilities a standard feature in upcoming developments. The state’s Department of Town and Country Planning has released draft amendments to the Haryana Building Code, 2017, which seek to ensure that both new constructions and renovated buildings are equipped to support EV charging.
The proposal outlines that developers must integrate electrical conduits and wiring systems capable of handling EV charging requirements across parking areas. This approach shifts the responsibility to the planning stage itself, rather than retrofitting infrastructure later, which is often more complex and expensive.
The scope of the draft is broad, covering residential units, group housing societies, and commercial spaces such as offices, malls, and hotels. For commercial projects, the proposal specifies a relatively higher requirement, mandating at least one EV charging point for every three parking spaces. Residential and group housing developments would require one charger for every five parking slots.
In addition, the draft permits installation of EV chargers in basement and stilt parking areas, provided that safety regulations, particularly fire safety norms, are strictly followed. To encourage adoption and reduce regulatory hurdles, the government has proposed that EV charging infrastructure will not be counted toward floor area ratio (FAR) calculations.
Industry stakeholders have responded positively to the proposal, noting that such measures can significantly improve accessibility to charging infrastructure. Experts suggest that integrating EV readiness into building design could address one of the key barriers to EV adoption—lack of convenient charging options at homes and workplaces.
The move reflects a broader policy shift from direct incentives for EV purchases toward strengthening the supporting ecosystem. By ensuring that charging infrastructure becomes a default feature in urban planning, Haryana aims to create a more EV-friendly environment in the long term.
However, the draft is currently open for public consultation, and its final implementation will depend on feedback from stakeholders and citizens.
