FAQ
1. Who is a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC)?
A Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) is a certified professional authorized by the state government to ensure the safe and compliant installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems, as regulated by the Central Electricity Authority Regulations of 2010 and The Indian Electricity Rule of 1956.
2. What is the Difference Between an Electrician and an Electrical Contractor?
An electrician is a skilled worker specializing in tasks related to electrical systems, holding a wireman license issued by the licensing board. In contrast, an electrical contractor is either an individual or a company that employs electricians and has a broader license from the licensing board. Additionally, a Licensed Electrical Contractor is authorized to issue test reports for supply as per section 45 of The Indian Electricity Rule of 1956.
3. Is it Cheaper to Charge an EV than to Fuel a Petrol/Diesel Car?
Yes, charging an electric vehicle (EV) is generally cheaper than fueling a petrol or diesel car, even if you use more expensive DC fast chargers. It’s also cleaner for the environment.
The cheapest option is to charge your EV at businesses or workplaces that offer free charging. The next best option is charging at home, where electricity typically costs between Rs 7 to 10 per kWh. Over the car’s lifetime, these savings can make owning an EV more economical than a petrol-powered car, despite a higher initial purchase price.
4. How to Benefits of a Separate Electricity Meter for Your EV?
Charging your electric vehicle (EV) at home with a separate electricity meter can help you save money by taking advantage of lower residential electricity rates. Over a year, the cost to run your EV can be less than running an air conditioner.
Example Scenario
Let’s say your monthly household electricity use is 350 units (kWh), and your EV uses 200 units (kWh). Here are two scenarios:
Scenario 1: Charging your EV without a separate meter, adding EV consumption to your household use for 550 units.
Scenario 2: Charging your EV with a separate electricity meter.
| Tariff Slabs | Cost per Unit (₹) | Total Cost (Scenario 1) | Household Cost (Scenario 2) | EV Cost (Scenario 2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 100 | ₹ 3.05 | ₹ 305 | ₹ 305 | ₹ 305 |
| 101 – 300 | ₹ 5.00 | ₹ 1,000 | ₹ 1,000 | ₹ 500 |
| 301 – 500 | ₹ 6.70 | ₹ 1,340 | ₹ 335 | – |
| > 500 | ₹ 7.80 | ₹ 390 | – | – |
| Total | ₹ 3,035 | ₹ 1,640 | ₹ 805 |
Savings: With a separate meter (Scenario 2), you save 20% compared to combining your EV and household electricity (Scenario 1).
5. Can I Make My Monthly Electricity Bill ‘Zero’ by Installing a Rooftop Solar System?
It’s infrequent to eliminate your monthly electricity bill because you’ll still need to pay some minimum, like fixed charges. However, you can reduce the main part of your bill, the ‘electricity charges,’ to zero by designing and maintaining your Rooftop Solar System effectively.
6. What is Net Metering?
Net metering is a system where the power you generate, like from solar panels, is first used by your home. If you make more power than you need, the extra is sent to the grid. When your solar panels aren’t making enough power, like on cloudy days, you get power from the grid. A special meter tracks the power you send to and takes from the grid. At the end of the billing period, you only pay for the net amount of power used – that is, the power you took from the grid minus the power you sent to it.
