Designing the Future of Electric Mobility: A Product Design Study of Charging Infrastructure Gaps on the Delhi–Jaipur Corridor

Abstract

Introduction

Electric mobility is gaining prominence in India, with e-scooters expected to play a key role due to their affordability, compact size, and home-charging capability. National and regional policies recommend robust charging infrastructure—every 3 km in cities and every 25 km on highways—to enable long-distance travel, such as the Delhi–Jaipur corridor. However, real-world observations reveal significant gaps: many chargers are missing, non-functional, hidden, or incompatible with e-scooters, and user comfort facilities (seating, shelter, water) are largely absent.

The study used field observations, digital map checks, and user-experience evaluation to compare policy promises with on-ground reality. Key challenges identified include inconsistent charger availability, poor visibility and access, functional barriers, and lack of amenities, all of which contribute to range anxiety and hinder confidence in long-distance e-scooter travel.

From a product design perspective, these gaps present opportunities for innovation: portable power solutions, improved dashboard navigation, ergonomic seating, weather protection, and scooter-compatible charging infrastructure could enhance user experience and support the growth of electric mobility in India.

Conclusion

This study examined the Delhi–Jaipur corridor to understand whether current electric mobility infrastructure supports long-distance travel on e-scooters, which are more relevant to Indian users due to their affordability and practicality. The findings show that although government policies provide clear guidelines for charging station placement, the on-ground reality does not fully reflect these expectations. Missing chargers, lack of visibility, non-functional units and absence of basic user information create uncertainty and discourage riders from confidently choosing electric travel. The gap identified is not merely infrastructural. It is a design gap. Long-distance electric mobility depends on how the vehicle, charging stations and user experience are connected through thoughtful design. The design opportunities identified in this paper—such as real-time navigation to charging stations, information-linked scooter dashboards, engagement zones at charging points and revenue-based add-ons—demonstrate that charging stations can evolve from simple power outlets into meaningful interaction spaces. Equally significant is the requirement to rethink the e-scooter itself. The current scooter design addresses short urban commutes but struggles with comfort and usability on highways. Redesigning the scooter with ergonomic seating, suspension tuned for uneven Indian roads and weather protection elements enables riders to consider longer intercity journeys without physical discomfort or risk. The combination of redesigned scooters and supportive charging environments creates a complete ecosystem rather than isolated solutions. This research shows that electric mobility cannot succeed through policies or chargers alone. It succeeds when every point in the journey—before, during and after charging—is supported by design. When riders have information, comfort and confidence, adoption accelerates. If the ideas presented here are implemented, the Delhi–Jaipur route can act as a model corridor demonstrating how policy and product design can work together to shape a practical and user-friendly electric mobility future. Further research can explore user behaviour at redesigned stations, evaluate cost models for modular service units and develop prototypes for scooter-based navigation interfaces. With continued effort in design, India can not only meet its electric mobility goals but redefine how mobility systems are experienced by everyday riders.

References

[1] Ministry of Power, Government of India, EV Charging Infrastructure Guidelines (2022) [2] NITI Aayog, Electric Mobility Report (2023) [3] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, EV Adoption Status Report (2024) [4] Ministry of Power, Consolidated Charging Station Deployment Standards (2022) [5] International Council on Clean Transportation, EV Infrastructure Assessment for India (2024) [6] National Institute of Design, Electric Two-Wheeler Ergonomics Study (2023) [7] Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, E-Scooter Long Ride Comfort Evaluation Handbook (2024)

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Adarshini Ariana R, Aditya Raj. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.