Centre Eases Norms For Setting Up EV Charging Stations
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
View all posts by this Author
By Linus Garg
First publised on 2022-01-16 04:10:01
About the Author
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
View all posts by this Author
In order to keep up with the commitments made at COP26 to reduce the carbon footprint of the transport sector and to give a push to the conversion to electric vehicles, the power ministry today announced a slew of measures designed to make charging of EVs comfortable, easy and affordable.
In the first user-friendly measure, it allowed owners of EVs to charge their vehicles at home or office by using the existing domestic electric connection and at domestic tariffs. This will be a huge relief to people who have already switched to EVs.
Then, to encourage the setting up of charging stations for EVs, the government did away with licenses required to set up such charging stations. Now anyone can set up an EV charging station provided they comply with technical and safety standards.
The government also decided to offer land to government, public agencies and even to private entities willing to set up charging stations on revenue-sharing basis. The terms of the offer are very lucrative as government and public agencies will be offered land on a fixed payment of Re 1 per unit of electricity consumed and private entities will get land through a bidding process where Re 1 per unit of electricity consumed revenue-sharing model will be the floor.
The government has set a target of one public charging station (PCS) in a 3-sqkm grid, making PCSs as ubiquitous as puncture repair shops to do away with the biggest anxiety of EV owners. If the prices of EVs will come down in future, as they are likely to with better technology and competition, the easy access to a PCS will be major factor in people deciding to choose EVs over conventional vehicles, at least in major cities and towns. That will go a long way in reducing pollution and reducing the carbon footprint of the transport sector in India.
pic courtesy: mecromindia.com
