Sat Jul 05 19:24:10 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has issued a new tariff order that increases demand charges for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Tamil Nadu, reversing some of the reductions implemented in previous years. This move is being met with strong disapproval from Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and EV charger manufacturers, who argue that the higher fixed costs will make operating EV charging stations financially unviable, hinder the growth of charging infrastructure, and ultimately slow down EV adoption in the state. Industry stakeholders are also calling for the implementation of a single-part tariff as per Union Power Ministry guidelines and pointing out that Tamil Nadu’s fixed charges are significantly higher compared to other states.

**News Article:**

**Tamil Nadu EV Charging Infrastructure Faces Setback as Electricity Tariff Hikes Spark Outrage**

**Chennai, July 6, 2025** – Electric vehicle (EV) charging station operators in Tamil Nadu are expressing strong concerns over a recent tariff order issued by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) that significantly increases fixed electricity charges for EV charging stations.

The new tariff, effective July 1, 2025, rolls back some of the reductions made in previous years, increasing demand charges for charging stations. Specifically, fixed charges for EV charging stations under the LT–VII tariff category (above 50-112 kW) have risen to ₹165 per kW per month, a substantial jump from the previous ₹79 per kW per month. For stations above 112 kW under the HT-V tariff category, demand charges have surged to ₹304 per kilovolt-amperes (kVA) per month from ₹145 per kVA per month.

“The recent tariff increase renders the business of operating EV Charging Stations in Tamil Nadu unviable,” stated Karthikeyan Palanisamy, director of The Indian Charging-Point Owners Association (ICPOA). “It will cripple the growth of charging infrastructure in the State, leading to reduced adoption of EVs.” Palanisamy also highlighted the inconsistency of these changes, noting that a 75% reduction in demand charges in 2023 has now been reversed.

Ragavendra Ravichandran, co-founder and chief operating officer of Plugzmart, a Chennai-based EV charger manufacturer, echoed these concerns. “A steep hike in fixed electricity charges has made high-capacity public charging stations financially unviable, at a time when utilisation is still ramping up,” Ravichandran said. He added that the higher costs are discouraging operators from deploying higher-capacity chargers, which could ultimately slow down the state’s EV adoption rate.

Industry stakeholders are also urging the state government to implement the Union Power Ministry’s guidelines for a single-part tariff for EV charging stations, a move they believe would provide more stability and predictability for operators. Furthermore, they pointed out that Tamil Nadu’s fixed charges are among the highest in the country, contrasting with states like Kerala, Delhi, and Maharashtra, where fixed charges are nil, and Karnataka, where they are considerably lower.

The revised tariff structure is raising serious questions about the future of EV charging infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and its potential impact on the state’s electric vehicle ambitions.

Read More