There is no single best EV charging station franchise in India. The right one depends on your budget, your site and the terms you are offered. Providers state very different starting points: Bolt.Earth lists franchise tiers from ₹9.99 lakh, Statiq shows an investment range of ₹30 lakh to ₹3 crore or more, and Tata Power's own guide cites ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore as typical. This guide compares publicly stated franchise models, explains FOCO and FOFO, lists the terms you must check, and gives you a free due-diligence checklist. It is not investment advice, and returns are never guaranteed.
Send us your city, site type (land, petrol pump, mall, hotel) and budget. We will share a free franchise due-diligence checklist and point you to relevant companies.
EV charging station franchise comparison (as publicly stated)
The table summarises what each company says on its own franchise page. Terms change, so confirm every figure with the company in writing. Companies are listed alphabetically and are not ranked or endorsed.
| Company | Model described | Stated investment | Notable points to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bolt.Earth | FOCO: you own the station, the company runs operations, maintenance and payments | Tiers start from ₹9.99 lakh for 2-, 3- and 4-wheeler fast charging | Amounts exclude GST and site-specific upstream infrastructure; revenue share is set in the agreement |
| Statiq | FOCO: the investor owns the chargers, Statiq handles deployment and operations | ₹30 lakh to ₹3 crore or more; configurations of 60 kW to 360 kW and 2 to 20 parking bays | Return figures on the page are indicative company estimates, so ask for live-station data |
| Zeon Charging | State-wise franchise plans with a revenue-share model | Varies by plan and state | Its page says 100% advance payment is required for charger procurement and order confirmation, and that no third-party or franchisee branding is permitted at the station |
| Tata Power EZ Charge | Turnkey franchise with site evaluation, setup and branding and 24/7 support | Its own guide cites about ₹1 crore to ₹2 crore as typical; the franchise page states no fixed price | Ask what the EV Mitra subsidy scheme covers and who qualifies |
| ChargeZone | Highway and fast-charging focus, with partner programmes | Confirm directly with the company | Ask about site requirements for highway locations |
Kazam and some other networks also run partner programmes where you provide the site and investment while the company supplies hardware, software, branding and network access, according to third-party guides. For a full cost breakdown of the Tata Power option, see our guide to EV charging station companies in India.
FOCO vs FOFO: which model fits you?
| Model | Who funds | Who operates | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOFO (Franchise Owned, Franchise Operated) | You | You | Owners who want control and can manage daily operations |
| FOCO (Franchise Owned, Company Operated) | You | The company | Investors and landowners who want a hands-off approach |
| Revenue share / site host | Mostly the company | The company | Property owners with parking space and little capital |
How to pick the right franchise: match it to your situation
- You have land, a petrol pump or a highway property: look at highway-focused networks such as ChargeZone and ask about DC fast charger requirements.
- You own a mall, office or hotel: city networks and destination charging operators may suit you. Compare how many drivers the company's app can bring to your site.
- You have a smaller budget: compare entry tiers carefully, and check what they exclude, such as GST, transformer upgrades and civil work.
- You want a bigger, branded project: compare Tata Power, Statiq and other larger programmes on total cost, revenue share and support.
Terms to check in any franchise agreement
- Total itemised cost: chargers, installation, grid connection, civil work, software, branding and GST. Ask what is excluded.
- Upfront payment rules: some programmes require full advance payment for chargers, so ask when and how much you pay.
- Revenue share: how it is defined, when it is paid and what costs are deducted first.
- Branding limits: whether you can add your own branding at the station.
- Contract length and exit terms: lock-in period and what happens if you leave.
- Uptime and service commitments: response time for faults and who pays for repairs after warranty.
- Subsidy eligibility: central and state schemes depend on your entity type, location and current policy.
- Evidence: data and visits to comparable live stations, not only calculators.
What about returns?
Company pages and third-party guides quote payback periods of roughly two to five years, and some publish calculators with annual return figures. These are estimates that depend on location, traffic, electricity tariff and, above all, utilisation: how many hours a day cars actually charge. As a hypothetical illustration only, a station that sells 200 kWh a day at ₹18 per kWh with electricity at ₹7 per kWh earns a gross margin of about ₹66,000 a month before rent, staff, software, franchise fees and loan repayments. Real results can be higher or lower, and returns are never guaranteed.
Is your site suitable? A quick check
- Steady footfall or long dwell time (mall, office, hotel, highway, petrol pump, apartment complex).
- Enough electrical capacity, or the ability to upgrade it with your electricity distribution company (DISCOM).
- Good visibility, easy entry and exit and enough parking bays.
- Clear ownership or a lease that allows the installation.
Other options on TRANDS
- ChargeJet Energy (Jaipur): offers partner-owned charging stations along highways and at hotels.
- Ecoplug Energy (Alwar): charging station solutions and charger manufacturing.
- Reliable Charge (Noida): charge point operator with public and fleet charging.
- My E Plug (Jaipur): charger dealers with installation and maintenance contracts.
Browse every provider in the EV Charging & Networks directory and read about EV charging investment opportunities. To understand what you are buying, read EV Charging Station vs EV Charger, and see charger suppliers in EV Charger Companies in India.
How to get started: 7 steps
- Define your budget and site.
- Shortlist 3 companies that match your site type.
- Request itemised written quotes.
- Visit live stations and speak to existing franchise owners.
- Check the power connection with your DISCOM before you commit.
- Review the agreement with a lawyer.
- Sign, install and list the station on charging apps and on TRANDS.
Free checklist: 10 questions to ask any EV charging franchisor
- What is my total itemised cost for my exact site, and what is excluded?
- How much do I pay upfront, and when?
- How is revenue share defined, and what is deducted first?
- What utilisation do comparable live stations achieve? Can I visit them?
- Who pays for transformer, load upgrade and civil work?
- Which subsidies apply to me, and who applies for them?
- What is the contract length, and how do I exit?
- What are the uptime and service commitments?
- Can I add my own branding, and are there other restrictions?
- How will drivers find my station, and how many does the app bring?
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Conclusion
The best EV charging station franchise is the one that fits your site, your budget and your risk tolerance, backed by a clear written agreement and real data from live stations. Compare at least three options, read the terms line by line, and treat every return figure as an estimate.
Disclaimer: Franchise details come from each company's public pages and third-party guides and change often. Companies are listed alphabetically and are not ranked or endorsed. This is not investment, financial or legal advice, and returns are not guaranteed. Verify all terms directly with each company and consult a qualified advisor. Read the TRANDS investment disclaimer. TRANDS is an independent directory and is not affiliated with the companies named.