As India accelerates its transition to electric mobility, a less visible challenge is emerging: a shortage of skilled people to run the country’s charging infrastructure. A recent study of 150 experts across the EV value chain finds that the success of this shift will depend as much on technicians and operators as it does on vehicles and batteries.
The charge point operator, or CPO, is at the centre of this challenge. These are the workers who install, operate and maintain charging stations. Without them, charging hubs risk falling into disrepair or failing to meet user expectations. At present, the number of public chargers has risen sharply from 451 in 2021 to more than 16,000 by mid-2024 but the workforce to keep them running has not kept pace.
Findings were detailed in EV Charging in India: Ecosystem Perspectives and Skilling Opportunities, a white paper produced jointly by Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Skills gap on the ground
The study shows that nearly half the skills CPOs need relate to installation and testing of chargers, coupled with digital know-how such as IoT monitoring and app-based diagnostics. Fault-troubleshooting, service quality optimisation and integration with the smart grid make up the rest.
Yet training opportunities are patchy. TERI’s researchers note that most industrial training institutes still follow outdated curricula that barely touch on charging infrastructure, power electronics or battery recycling. Few have the equipment for practical exposure and there is a shortage of qualified trainers. This gap leaves new recruits with little more than textbook knowledge at a time when technology is evolving rapidly.
Experts also point to softer but equally important abilities. CPO staff are often the face of the EV experience for first-time users. They need to explain payment systems, handle complaints and guide drivers through unfamiliar charging processes. Without this service orientation, consumer confidence in public charging could remain fragile.
Barriers to training
According to the MBRDI–TERI study, obstacles include lack of hands-on training, absence of standardised modules and low awareness among young people about career opportunities in the sector. Salaries remain modest: a CPO technician earns between ₹1.2 lakh and ₹5 lakh a year, with high turnover rates as many leave within two years.
The rapid pace of innovation adds to the problem. Frequent updates in chargers, batteries and electronic control units mean workers need continuous training, but few programmes are designed for lifelong learning. Industry-academia collaboration is also limited, leaving a mismatch between what is taught and what the market needs, said the report.
Lessons and opportunities
Other sectors offer useful parallels. India’s solar industry, for instance, scaled up its workforce through government schemes like Suryamitra, which trained over 78,000 technicians. Abroad, Germany’s vocational system has shown how industry, government and academia can collaborate on large-scale skilling initiatives.
The study argues for similar steps in EV charging. These include setting up regional training centres, embedding green skills into vocational courses, offering apprenticeships with CPO companies and continuously updating modules to keep pace with technology. Digital skills such as smart grid integration, AI-driven diagnostics and IoT monitoring are likely to be crucial.
Why it matters
According to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) report, India’s electric vehicle market is projected to be worth over ₹5.7 trillion ($64.7 billion) by 2025, creating substantial demand for technicians and other professionals. Without adequate skilling, the country risks a paradox: abundant chargers on paper but unreliable service on the ground.
For drivers, this could mean broken charging stations, long waits or confusing user experiences. For the economy, it could mean lost opportunities in green jobs. For the climate, it could mean slower progress towards India’s 2070 net-zero goal.
The message from Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India and TERI) is clear. Building a charging network is not just about installing machines. It is about investing in people who can keep those machines working and in turn, keep India’s electric mobility ambitions on the road.
