Karnataka to have electric vehicle charging centres across the state at government offices, tourist spots, and fuel stations. The state budget 2021-22 stated establishing 1000 charging centres for EV under public-private partnership. The state electricity supply corporations (ESCOMs) has undertaken this now. In 5 districts Hassan, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, and Kodagu, the state corporation ‘Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Ltd’ will set up 150 such centres.
The Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited in 4 districts Udupi, Shivamogga, Chikkamagalur, and Dakshina Kannada has proposed 170 locations. Most of these locations has been identified near government office premises.
Jayavibhava Swamy, MD, CESC, said, “We have identified offices located in the urban areas. We have sent the state government in this regard.”
“Along with these, we are also planning to set up another 100 EV charging centres in tourist spots like Mysuru Zoo, restaurants, amusement parks, fuel stations etc where EVs can be charged in 30 minutes,” he said.
Prashant Kumar Mishra, Managing Director, Mescom said, “As per the government order, we identified 170 locations across the Mescom jurisdiction and sent the information to the Bescom. Bescom is the nodal agency. Now they will do a feasibility study before taking forward the proposal,” he explained.
“Besides this, we are also coordinating with the fuel stations for taking up work on EV stations on the national highways of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi,” he added.
Karnataka government currently doesn’t provide any subsidy to its consumers. Road tax exemption without any registration fee is provided to the consumers. Companies like Ather Energy, Bosch, Ola Electric, Sun Mobility, and Mahindra Electric are making Karnataka a hub for electric vehicles.
