Hey there, fellow EV enthusiasts! I’m just a regular guy who’s been driving an electric vehicle for a while now, and I’ve got to say, I’m both excited and frustrated by where we’re at with EV adoption in India. Today, I want to talk about a real problem that’s been bugging me—and I’m sure many of you too. It’s called ICEing, and it’s a big roadblock (pun intended) for EV owners like us. I came across a post on X that perfectly captures this issue, and it’s sparked some great discussions that I think we can all learn from. Since the number plate in the original post isn’t blurred, we’re not going to embed the tweet to avoid publicly shaming the user—we just want to highlight the issue and work toward solutions. At ElecTree, we’re all about promoting EVs while also shining a light on challenges to spark meaningful change, so let’s dive in and see how we can make things better.
On May 25, 2025, a user named Lokesh (@solowkesh) shared a frustrating experience on X. He posted a picture from Westend Mall in Aundh, Pune, showing two non-EVs—a Kia Seltos and a Honda Amaze—parked in fast-charging spots meant for electric vehicles. The signage on the bottom mentions 'EV Only' . The charging station, run by Jio BP Pulse, was completely blocked. Lokesh pointed out that it would’ve taken just “2 minutes of effort to park right,” but instead, these cars denied EV owners the chance to charge. He tagged Westend Mall and Jio BP Pulse, calling for better enforcement, and honestly, I felt his frustration deep in my bones.
For those who don’t know, ICEing is when internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles park in spots reserved for EV charging. It’s a global problem, but in India, where EV charging infrastructure is already limited, it’s a real pain. I mean, imagine driving to a mall, hoping to juice up your EV while you shop, only to find a petrol car hogging the spot. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s a setback for the whole EV movement.
Here’s the thing: India is trying to go big on EVs. We’ve got government schemes, more EV models hitting the market, and companies like Jio BP Pulse setting up charging stations across the country. But if we can’t even use the chargers because of poor parking etiquette or lack of enforcement, what’s the point? This incident at Westend Mall isn’t just a one-off—it’s a symptom of a bigger problem. We’re still figuring out how to make EVs practical for everyone, and issues like ICEing make people hesitant to switch from petrol or diesel cars.
I’ve been driving an EV for a while, and I can tell you, range anxiety is real. Knowing that a charging spot might be blocked just adds to the stress. If we want more people to go electric, we need to make charging as seamless as filling up at a fuel pump. Right now, that’s not always the case, despite the efforts of companies like Jio BP Pulse. It’s great to see companies like Jio BP Pulse stepping up by installing chargers in places like Westend Mall, but there’s still room for improvement to ensure these spots are used effectively.
The X post got a lot of attention, and some of the comments really hit the nail on the head when it comes to long-term solutions. I want to highlight two that stood out to me because they go beyond just pointing fingers and actually offer ideas to fix the problem.
First, there’s Sunderdeep from Volklub (@volklub), who said, “Problem is not with the EVs but with ‘India’. If I will explain more, I would lose 200+ followers. If authorities are serious about EVs, they should ask all fuel pumps to have one charger station to finish this debate once for all.”
I totally get where he’s coming from. The issue isn’t EVs themselves—it’s the lack of infrastructure and awareness in India. His idea of mandating charging stations at every fuel pump is brilliant. Think about it: fuel pumps are everywhere, and if they all had at least one charger, EV owners wouldn’t have to rely on a handful of mall parking spots. It would make charging accessible and normal, just like filling up with petrol. Plus, it would reduce the competition for spots, so ICEing might not even be an issue anymore.
Then there’s a comment from our own team at ElecTree (@evelectree): “While installing a charging station in a commercial property, there should be an MoU where in the property should make sure no ICE(ing) takes place. This situation in unacceptable. Owners of ICE should be responsible. Also, EV owners not using the charger should not park there.”
I’m proud of our team for saying this because it’s such a practical solution. An MoU—or Memorandum of Understanding—between charging providers like Jio BP Pulse and properties like Westend Mall would put the responsibility on the property to enforce proper use of EV charging spots. Maybe that means having a security guard monitor the area or putting up better signage and barriers. And I love that we also called out EV owners—because, let’s be real, we’ve got to be responsible too. If you’re not charging, don’t park there. It’s about fairness for everyone.
At ElecTree, we’re all about pushing for a greener future with EVs, but we’re not here to sugarcoat things. We believe in pointing out the real issues—like this ICEing incident at Westend Mall—because that’s how we start conversations that lead to change. By talking about these problems, we’re hoping to get the attention of mall managements, charging providers like Jio BP Pulse, and even local authorities. If we keep the pressure on, we can push for better enforcement, more charging stations, and a culture that respects EV infrastructure. That’s how we make EVs practical for everyone in India.
So, what’s the way forward? I think the solutions from Volklub and ElecTree are a great start. Mandating chargers at fuel pumps would be a game-changer—it’s a long-term fix that could make EV charging as common as fuel stations. And having MoUs for commercial properties ensures that the chargers we do have are actually usable. But there are a few other things we can do too:
I’m really glad Lokesh shared this post because it’s got us all talking about how to make EV charging better in India. At ElecTree, we’re committed to bringing you these stories—not just the good stuff, but the challenges too—so we can work together toward a better future for EVs. If you’ve had a similar experience with ICEing, or if you’ve got ideas on how to fix it, drop a comment below. And stay tuned for more news, insights, and tips on going electric in India. Let’s keep pushing for change, one charge at a time!
Suhail Gulati
Suhail Gulati is the founder of ElecTree and an economist by training, with a passion for electric vehicles that goes far beyond numbers and analysis. A former banker turned EV enthusiast, Suhail writes to share the latest insights, trends, and future possibilities in the world of electric mobility. Through ElecTree, he hopes to connect with fellow enthusiasts and anyone curious about the shift toward sustainable transportation. Outside of his work in the EV space, Suhail has a deep love for music, good food, and the thrill of a football match. Whether he’s analyzing market trends or discovering the newest electric innovations, he’s always excited to bring readers along for the journey.