An EV charging station franchise in India is typically paid for in one of three ways: an upfront franchise fee, an ongoing royalty to the brand, or a revenue share with the network operator. In EarthtronEV’s Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated (FOCO) model, the franchise partner funds the station, with investment starting at about ₹10–14 lakh for a 40 kW DC charger. EarthtronEV runs the station day to day, and returns are settled monthly under revenue-sharing terms agreed for the site.
Why payment models matter more than the headline price
Most first-time investors compare EV charging franchises on a single number: the investment amount. That is a mistake. Two franchises with the same ₹20 lakh price tag can deliver very different returns depending on three things:
- What you pay upfront, and what that covers
- What you pay on an ongoing basis
- How revenue flows back to you
India’s public charging network is still thin outside the metros. EarthtronEV notes that the country will need at least 5,00,000 charging points by 2030 to keep pace with EV growth. For a new franchisee, demand is not the main risk. The bigger risk is signing an agreement whose payment structure was never fully understood.
The three payment models, explained
1. Franchise fee (one-time or upfront)
A franchise fee is what you pay to enter a network and use its brand, software and know-how. In EV charging, this is often blended into a package price rather than billed separately.
What to check: whether the fee is one-time or recurring, whether it is refundable, and what it includes, such as site assessment, brand rights, onboarding and software access.
2. Royalty (ongoing percentage or fixed fee)
A royalty is a recurring payment to the franchisor, usually a percentage of revenue or a fixed monthly amount, in return for continued brand, platform and support access.
What to check: whether the royalty is calculated on gross revenue (before electricity and other costs) or net revenue, and whether it applies even when utilisation is low.
3. Revenue share (the split of what each charge earns)
Under revenue sharing, the money collected from drivers is divided between the station investor and the operator under pre-agreed terms. The operator usually covers the work of running the station, including billing, uptime, maintenance and the software platform.
EarthtronEV states that partner returns depend on station utilisation, tariff, operating costs, revenue-sharing terms and site performance, and that its franchise team provides a site-specific commercial projection.
Payment models at a glance
How EarthtronEV’s franchise model works in practice
Based on the franchise programme details published by EarthtronEV:
- Model: Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated (FOCO). You invest in the station. EarthtronEV selects and assesses the site, installs the chargers, connects them to its network and app, and manages operations, billing and maintenance.
- Investment: ranges from ₹10 lakh for a 40 kW charger to ₹1 crore or more for a 480 kW depot setup.
- What the setup cost includes: civil work, electrical connection or transformer upgrade, land (leased or annualised), CMS software and permits, not just the charger hardware.
- Returns: settled every month, with a statement of sessions and energy dispensed.
- Your role: investor, not operator. EarthtronEV handles activation, charging management, billing and maintenance.
Investment by charger type
Figures are indicative and based on EarthtronEV’s published ranges (updated September 2026). Your site-specific quote may vary with power availability, civil work and land arrangement.
A note on revenue-share terms: EarthtronEV does not publish a fixed revenue-share percentage online. Terms are set per site and shared in a site-specific commercial projection before you sign the franchise agreement. Always ask for the split, the revenue basis it applies to, and the settlement date in writing.
COCO vs FOCO vs FOFO: the operating model shapes your payments
In a FOFO model you may keep more of each rupee of revenue, but you carry operating costs, staffing and uptime. In FOCO you give up a share of revenue in exchange for a managed, hands-off asset. Neither is automatically better. It depends on whether you want to be an investor or an operator.
Seven questions to ask before signing any EV charging franchise agreement
- Is there a separate franchise fee, or is it built into the setup cost?
- Is there a royalty? If so, is it charged on gross or net revenue?
- What is the revenue-share split, and who pays the electricity bill before it is calculated?
- Who pays for the electricity connection and any transformer upgrade?
- Who is responsible for uptime and maintenance, and what happens if the station is down?
- How often are payouts made, and what reporting do you receive? (EarthtronEV provides monthly statements of sessions and energy.)
- What are the exit and renewal terms?
For a deeper checklist, read
questions to ask before buying an EV charging franchise.
What actually drives your returns
Whatever the payment model, returns depend on the same factors: station utilisation, charging tariff, operating costs and site quality. Highways, fuel station forecourts, malls and retail parking, hotels, corporate campuses and fleet or e-truck depots tend to perform best because they offer steady vehicle flow, dwell time and reliable power. Returns are not guaranteed.
To model your own numbers, use the
EarthtronEV Revenue Calculator, and ask for a site-specific commercial projection before committing. You can also read the
franchise cost vs revenue and break-even guide.
Government support and financing
The Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE scheme, launched in October 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore, earmarks ₹2,000 crore for public EV charging infrastructure, with subsidy support for eligible entities based on Bureau of Energy Efficiency cost benchmarks. EarthtronEV does not administer this subsidy, so check current eligibility with the Ministry of Heavy Industries. Asset financing for EV charging equipment is also available from several banks and NBFCs.
Read the
PM E-DRIVE EV charging subsidy guide for more.
The bottom line
The cleanest way to compare EV charging franchises is to look past the headline price and ask three questions: what do I pay upfront, what do I pay on an ongoing basis, and how is each rupee of revenue divided? Get those answers in writing, backed by a site-specific projection, before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a franchise fee and a royalty?
A franchise fee is a one-time payment to join a network. A royalty is a recurring payment, usually a percentage of revenue or a fixed amount, for continued brand and platform access.
What is a revenue share in an EV charging franchise?
It is an agreement where money earned from charging sessions is divided between the station investor and the operator, based on pre-agreed terms.
How much does an EV charging franchise cost in India?
EarthtronEV’s franchise investment starts at about ₹10–14 lakh for a 40 kW DC charger and goes up to ₹1 crore or more for a 480 kW depot setup.
Does EarthtronEV charge a royalty?
EarthtronEV’s public franchise page does not list a royalty. It states that returns depend on revenue-sharing terms and site performance. Confirm the exact structure with the franchise team before signing.
What is the FOCO model?
FOCO stands for Franchise-Owned, Company-Operated. You fund the station, and the company runs it day to day, including billing, maintenance and monthly settlements.
How often are franchise partners paid?
EarthtronEV settles returns every month, with a statement of sessions and energy.
Do I need my own land to start?
No. EarthtronEV can assess your site, or help search for a suitable one and arrange it on lease, wherever applicable.
Are EV charging franchise returns guaranteed?
No. Returns depend on utilisation, tariff, operating costs, revenue-sharing terms and location.
Ready to explore an EV charging franchise?
Write to the franchise team at
franchise@earthtronev.com or visit the
EarthtronEV franchise page to request a site-specific projection.
