Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has been entrusted by the Central Government with the development of indigenous 360 kW fast chargers aimed at supporting India’s next generation of electric trucks and buses. The initiative forms part of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s Electric Vehicles Sub-systems flagship programme, which seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities across the EV value chain.
The proposed 360 kW chargers will represent the country’s first fully indigenous high-capacity charging solution designed specifically for long-haul and heavy commercial electric vehicles. At present, BHEL manufactures 60 kW and 122 kW charging systems that cater primarily to electric passenger vehicles and sport utility vehicles. The new charging technology will significantly expand the company’s portfolio by addressing the charging requirements of larger commercial fleets.
High-power charging infrastructure is considered a critical component for accelerating the adoption of electric trucks and buses, which typically involve substantially higher acquisition costs than conventional diesel vehicles. Faster charging reduces vehicle downtime, improves fleet utilisation, and enhances the overall economics of commercial EV operations. The deployment of indigenous 360 kW chargers is expected to support the development of a reliable charging network along key freight corridors, strengthening India’s transition towards sustainable and domestically driven electric mobility.