Statiq's new ₹13.26 service fee on self-operated EV chargers ignites debate: Why charge extra when customers self-handle everything? Exclusive insights from ExpWithEVs highlight the growing frustration in India's EV charging ecosystem.
In a move that's ruffling feathers across India's burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) community, charge point operator (CPO) Statiq has quietly rolled out a "service fee" on its own branded charging stations—adding an extra ₹13.26 per session to already burdened EV owners. The revelation, first highlighted by popular EV enthusiast and content creator ExpWithEVs (expwithevs.in), exposes a potential shift in how CPOs monetize infrastructure, raising questions about transparency and fairness in the EV ecosystem.
The fee appeared in a recent charging session at Statiq's Sheraton New Delhi station, where Priyans (founder ExpWithEVs) an MG ZS EV owner was charged ₹318.12 for energy, plus the ₹13.26 service fee (total base ₹331.38), with 18% IGST applied on the entire amount, bringing the final bill to ₹391. While Statiq positions this as a nominal operational charge, critics argue it's an unnecessary layer of profiteering, especially since customers already foot the bill for electricity, site rent and maintenance through per-unit rates.
Credit goes to ExpWithEVs (@ExpWithEVs on X), whose December 9 post dissected the billing screenshot with razor-sharp commentary: "This is how the CPO aggregators will start making money. @StatiqIndia has, very slyly, introduced a service fee. I get why they would want to do it on roaming chargers, but on their own chargers too?" The post quickly ignited a thread of frustration.
ExpWithEVs, known for their in-depth EV road trips, data-driven insights, and community-focused content on expwithevs.in, has once again proven invaluable in holding the industry accountable. Their work empowers EV adopters to navigate the charging maze more astutely.
At first glance, ₹13.26 might seem trivial—less than the cost of a roadside chai. But zoom out, and it paints a troubling picture for EV owners already grappling with range and charging station anxiety, inconsistent infrastructure, and premium pricing for green mobility. Here's why imposing a service fee on a CPO's proprietary chargers is not just unideal but potentially counterproductive to India's EV ambitions:
In essence, this fee doesn't enhance service—it extracts value without delivering it, risking a backlash that could slow EV momentum.
EV owners, share your billing stories—has any CPO dinged you with hidden fees?
Suhail Gulati
Suhail Gulati is the founder of ElecTree and an economist by training. He holds a Master's degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics and has worked in credit, retail banking, and financial stress testing at Barclays and American Express. He founded ElecTree in 2023 — building it into India's dedicated platform for 4-wheeler EV data, sales analysis, and original reporting. His work sits at the intersection of economic analysis and electric mobility — bringing a banker's rigour to a sector that deserves it.