Jul 8, 2025
A Simple Explainer for Residential Builders on Sanctioned Load and DLM
Krishna Karthik
As more Indians switch to electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure inside residential projects has become a necessity. Builders are now expected to deliver properties that are not just modern but also future-ready. One of the most important aspects in this journey is understanding EV Load, how it links to sanctioned load, and how Dynamic Load Management (DLM) can make charging both feasible and cost-effective.
This blog breaks it down in simple terms.
What is Sanctioned Load?
Sanctioned load is the maximum amount of electricity a building or society is allowed to draw from the local power distribution company (DISCOM). Think of it as the electricity “budget” allocated to the project.
If a building’s sanctioned load is 500 kW, it means the total combined demand of all flats, lifts, common utilities, and EV chargers cannot exceed that number at any given time.
For builders, planning sanctioned load at the design stage is critical. Underestimating leads to blackouts and penalties, while overestimating results in wasted cost.
What is EV Load?
EV Load refers to the portion of total sanctioned load required to charge electric vehicles. It depends on:
The number of chargers installed.
The type of chargers (7.4 kW AC vs. 22 kW AC, etc.).
How often residents are expected to charge simultaneously.
For example, in a 100-flat society, if 20 flats initially demand 7.4 kW chargers, the estimated EV load is about 148 kW. Without planning, this can easily overshoot the sanctioned load.
The Problem Without Planning
If EV load is not accounted for during project design, several issues arise:
Residents set up their own chargers randomly, creating uneven power distribution.
Circuit breakers trip when demand spikes.
Builders are forced into costly retrofits to increase sanctioned load later.
Residents get frustrated with unreliable charging experiences.
In short, unmanaged EV load leads to technical headaches and reputational risks for builders.
Dynamic Load Management: The Smarter Solution
Dynamic Load Management (DLM) is a system that intelligently distributes available power among multiple EV chargers in real time.
If 10 cars are plugged in, the system allocates power across all 10.
If only 2 cars are charging, they receive a higher share of the load.
This prevents overload and ensures every EV charges safely, even if the sanctioned load is limited.
For builders, DLM offers:
Cost savings: More chargers can be supported without expensive transformer upgrades.
Scalability: Easy to add more chargers as EV adoption grows.
Resident satisfaction: Everyone gets a fair share of power, avoiding disputes.
Regulations Builders Should Know
Builders must also align with regulations when planning EV Load:
MoHUA Model Bye-laws mandate at least 20% of parking spaces be EV-ready.
DISCOM requirements vary by state but usually involve load assessment and prior approvals.
Standards and certifications (BIS, ARAI, NBC) ensure chargers are safe, compliant, and future-proof.
Ignoring these can lead to approval delays or penalties.
How Builders Can Plan for EV Load
Here’s a simple 4-step approach for residential projects:
Assess Sanctioned Load: Work with DISCOM to plan capacity from the start.
Allocate EV Load: Reserve at least 20% of parking for EV-ready chargers.
Adopt DLM: Implement smart load management to maximize efficiency.
Plan for Expansion: Assume EV demand will rise steadily over the next 5–10 years.
Conclusion
Sanctioned load sets the ceiling, EV load adds new demand, and DLM makes it all manageable. For builders, the message is clear: plan early, integrate smart systems, and design EV-ready communities that stay future-proof.
With the right approach, residential projects can avoid technical risks while creating a better experience for residents—supporting India’s EV adoption goals along the way.