The Energy Department of Andhra Pradesh is planning to promote the usage of electric vehicles (EVs) in the state. The Department will shortly open up 50 electric vehicle charging stations in various cities of Andhra Pradesh and has prepared a concrete plan of action.
According to the Andhra Pradesh Government officials, the setting up of charging stations will not only serve the purpose of charging the electric vehicles but also will serve as a source of revenue for the Andhra pradesh state Government.
The very first electric vehicle charging station will be set up at the Interim Government Complex in Velagapudi and will start working in a week.
According to reports, the Andhra Pradesh Government will be introducing 1,000 TO 1,5000 EVs in the state in the coming few months. For this purpose, the Government had already tied up with a firm in April to facilitate opening up of stations in areas like Amaravati, Vijayawada, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Tirumala. Reportedly, five stations will be set up in Amaravati.
K Vijayanand, CMD of AP Transco and MD of AP Genco, said, “The EV charging stations are almost ready. In fact, the one coming up at the Interim Government Complex in Velagapudi will be ready for operation in a week.”
The delivery of electric vehicles (EVs) will begin from the month of July and the total number of vehicles to be delivered by this month will be 300. The vehicles will be delivered in a phased manner by the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL).
Earlier, in March 2018, the Central Government had planned to add 10K electric cars to its fleet. The Power Ministry had planned to supply electric vehicles to the Union Government Departments so that the demand for the electric vehicles rises. The Government had a plan to increase the demand for electric vehicles by around 500K units.
India’s Attempt To Boost Its Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
India’s EV market is certainly getting a boost but in order to achieve the target of switching to 100% electric vehicles by 2030, the government will have to set up a robust network of electric vehicle charging stations across the country
As Rahil Ansari, head, Audi India, mentioned in a recent media statement, Audi India might bring its electric vehicles fleet in the country by 2025 if the charging infrastructure gets ready by then.
It’s not like that the central government is not doing its part here. With the rollout of FAME (Faster adoption and manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India) scheme, an INR 500 Cr fund is now in process to further encourage the manufacturing of Zero-emission vehicles. Not only this, the central government also announced earlier this year, that “companies setting up charging infrastructure for electric vehicles do not require any separate license for electricity transmission, distribution or trading.”
The Central Government has also made the transition to all-electric cars easier by allowing payments through BHIM, Bharat QR code, and e-wallets.
Further, the Indian startup ecosystem has also been doing its bit. While manufacturing and promoting the growth of electric vehicles in the country, a few startups are also taking in the responsibility of creating the necessary infrastructure for the same.
For instance, Ather Energy which recently launched its e-Scooter is looking to install electric vehicle charging stations for both four wheelers and two wheelers across the city.
Ola had also launched ‘Mission:Electric’ to place 10K e-rickshaws and electric auto-rickshaws in its service in the next 12 months. For this, the company has announced that it will partner with Mahindra and other leading automobile companies to lead the electric vehicle revolution.
Not only this, the two electric bus manufacturers- Goldstone Infratech and BYD Auto are in a partnership to set up EV charging stations along routes across India where their own e-buses run.
