NHEV 3G Energy Stations Explained by Abhijeet Sinha

NHEV 3G Energy Stations Explained by Abhijeet Sinha

AUTHOR

India’s electric mobility landscape is undergoing a historic transformation, deeply aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s ‘7Cs’ highway vision – focusing on Common, Connected, Convenient, Congestion-free, Charged, Clean, and Cutting-edge aspects of infrastructure development. Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji unveiled the prototype miniature model of NHEV’s 3rd Generation Energy Stations, signaling an ambitious expansion of 5000 km after the initial 500 km test corridor (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur). These groundbreaking 3rd Generation Energy Stations boast 40+ chargers, a formidable 3.2 MW capacity, and embody a bold vision to power India’s e-highways with zero fossil fuel, zero grid emissions, and 100% renewable mobility.. NHEV’s 3rd Generation Energy Stations: 40+ chargers, 3.2 MW capacity, and a bold vision to power India’s e-highways with zero fossil fuel, zero grid emissions, and 100% renewable mobility.”

Evolution of Fueling Stations

The NHEV initiative is evolving its energy stations through generations, with the 3rd Generation representing a significant leap forward. These 3rd Generation stations are designed to be “stations of the future”.

• 1st Generation: Conventional Petrol Pumps Primarily offered Petrol & Diesel dispensing units.
• 2nd Generation: These stations expanded to include conventional petrol and diesel dispensing units
• 3rd Generation: Represents a paradigm shift, mandating 36 EV Chargers as standard, with LNG and CNG becoming optional, and crucially, eliminating Diesel and Petrol. They are designed to be “stations of the future” with hydrogen vending capabilities and robust EV charging infrastructure for all vehicle types.

NHEV 3rd Generation Station Components

NHEV 3G Energy stations are comprehensive hubs, incorporating various components:

1. Sensor Gate

2. AD Board (Annuity)
3. Entry Boom Barrier (EV)
4. Utility Support & Server Room (AI-ML Algorithm)
5. Compact Substation
6. Car Swapping (Relay)
7. Food Court & Lounge
8. Battery Swapping Unit
9. Road Side Assistance
10. Bank & ATM
11. Conference Room
12. EV Showroom 2W & 3W
13. Battery Swapping Area
14. Hydrogen Tank (Dispensing)
15. Green Area (Pets Play Area)
16. Parking Lane
17. Fast Charging Points
18. Slow Charging Points
19. Staff Utility Area
20. Tyre and Air Pressure
21. Cold Chain Cargo Storage
22. 2W & 3W Parking
23. Solar Panels (Rooftop)
24. Smart Parking Management
25. Air Toilets
26. Baby Feeding Room
27. Salon and Spa
28. Banquet Hall

3rd Generation Energy Stations: The Future of Decarbonized Mobility

Each NHEV Energy Station is meticulously designed to meet a total energy demand of 3.2 megawatt-hours (3200 kWh), strategically distributed through four compact substations of 800 kWh each. This modular design ensures remarkable energy efficiency, operational resilience, and optimized integration with renewable energy sources.

The 3rd Generation stations employ an advanced energy distribution strategy featuring four integrated substations:

• 800 KWH Compact Substation on Thermal Grid only for a period of 5 years from commissioning.
• 800 KWH Solar Compact Substation with battery storage to optimize dispense renewable energy.
• 800 KWH Green Energy dispensing to be prototyped from vertical wind turbines on roads Separators.
• 800 KWH Green H2 from micro electrolyzer powered by surplus Solar & Wind renewable energy.

Vision Timeline

• 2027: Pilot commissioning of 3rd Generation Energy Stations along Bharatmala and Sagarmala Routes.
• 2030–2035: Nationwide deployment of these advanced, multi-source energy stations.
• 2035–2040: Transition from 3rd Generation to 5th Generation Energy Stations.
• 2040–2047: Elimination of thermal grid dependency, station capacity will be scaled up to 5000 kWh, and integrated AI-enabled smart grids and ultra-fast charging technology and wireless charging become standard.

NHEV’s 3rd Generation Energy Stations mark a paradigm shift, transforming highways into smart, self-sustaining energy corridors. This approach not only decarbonises mobility but also modernises India’s infrastructure in line with global net-zero commitments.

Formation and Timeline of the Working Group

The National Highways for EV (NHEV) program is redefining long-distance travel with smart, scalable, and sustainable 3G Energy Stations. To drive this vision, four specialised working groups are being constituted for the Evidence-Based Policy Making (Energy, Construction, Service and Network).

Following the Ministry of Power’s advisory on February 18, 2025, and previous guidelines, the final list of ‘Technical Working Group’ members is being prepared by June 25, 2025, for review by the ‘Knowledge Group’. This consultation incorporates insights from NITI Aayog, DST, and the Centre for High Technology (CHT), Ministry of Power and Petroleum & Natural Gas by June 30, 2025. Public notification of these members was issued on June 23, 2025, with virtual introduction meetings for working group members commencing on June 25, 2025.

The Working Group will augment and draft comprehensive specifications for the development and deployment of the first prototype of the NHEV 3G Energy Station, including its mock energy diagram and a miniature with technical and commercial components and aspects. They will also create a 3D walkthrough and information handbook for inspection and installation. The group will evaluate and examine upcoming emerging technologies like hydrogen, wireless, and pantograph charging for technical interoperability and possible adoptions, thereby creating ongoing advancement across the NHEV corridors. Furthermore, the group will ensure that 3G energy stations meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance, technical excellence, component supply chain, and sustainable operation.

The Working Group will hold a virtual introductory meeting on June 30th, 2025 (WGM-1). This will be followed by a public notification via website, IT, and press release on July 7th, 2025. Subsequent Working Group Meetings (WGM-2 and WGM-3) are scheduled for July 14th and August 7th, 2025, respectively. Finally, a panel discussion on the concept will be held and publicized on September 12th, 2025. These steps ensure a collaborative and evidence-based approach to developing comprehensive specifications for the upcoming infrastructure, with the goal of exhibiting a NHEV’s prototype miniature at India Energy Week in Goa, January 2026.