Summary
– Chandigarh administration has made six electric vehicle charging stations functional after a year and a half of launching the policy
– Charging rates are Rs 8 per unit for slow or moderate charging, Rs 10 per unit for fast charging, and Rs 11 for battery swapping
– Other 34 charging stations will be made operational by June-end, totaling 40 charging stations in the city
– The administration announced the electric vehicle policy in September 2022 but failed to provide infrastructure as promised
– Protest by automobile traders and residents led to target-based registrations of electric vehicles being stalled in November last year
Article
The Chandigarh administration has finally operationalized six electric vehicle charging stations in the city, a year and a half after launching the electric vehicle policy. These stations will charge Rs 8 per unit for slow or moderate charging, Rs 10 per unit for fast charging, and Rs 11 for battery swapping. The six charging stations are located at Sector 7, 43-B, 44-C, 44-D, Manimajra, and Lake Sports Club, with plans to have a total of 53 stations functional by March-end.
Despite missing the initial deadline, a senior official from the Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) stated that by June-end, an additional 34 charging stations will be operational, bringing the total to 40 charging stations in the city. The Chandigarh administration had announced the electric vehicle policy in September 2022 but had not made significant progress in providing the necessary infrastructure to support EV owners. This had led to protests from automobile traders and residents, resulting in the halt of target-based registrations for electric vehicles by the UT Administrator in November of last year.
Without adequate infrastructure, owners of electric vehicles in Chandigarh have been relying on private charging stations or charging their vehicles at home. The lack of public charging stations has created inconvenience and limited options for EV owners, forcing them to purchase specific vehicles that may be costly due to limited supply. The administration had promised to set up 100 public charging stations but failed to deliver on this commitment, causing frustration among residents and stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry.
The electric vehicle charging stations are being established at various locations across the city, including Rock Garden parking, Lake Club parking, Multi-Level parking in Sector 17, opposite Parade Ground in Sector 22, near the Passport Office in Sector 34, and several locations in Sector 17, Japanese Garden, and the parking area of Car Bazar. The delayed implementation of charging stations has highlighted the challenges faced by Chandigarh in transitioning to electric vehicles, but the ongoing efforts to expand the charging infrastructure are a positive step towards promoting sustainable transport in the region.
As the number of electric vehicles on the roads increases, the need for a robust charging infrastructure becomes more critical. The Chandigarh administration’s commitment to expanding the network of charging stations is essential for encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. With more stations set to become operational in the coming months, EV owners in Chandigarh can expect improved access to charging facilities and greater convenience in using their electric vehicles for daily transportation needs.
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