Beginning this month, the state has embarked on a huge drive to boost the number of electric vehicles (EV) charging stations in Mumbai. The government has set a goal to set up 1,500 EV charging stations in the next few years, with the first batch of 134 expected to unfurl in the city soon.
The state has requested expressions of interest (EoI) for the same for a 12-year lease to establish EV charging stations in Mumbai. This is in addition to charging stations being installed at 27 BEST terminals and all 29 BMC public parking spaces in Mumbai.
The government will work with private companies to amplify the charging stations network. Power would be offered at a reduced tariff of Rs 5.5 per unit, while at late-night hours, the electricity pricing will be roughly a rupee per unit lower, stated a senior government official.
The decision came in because of the necessity to set up an appropriate number of charging hubs in wake of the state’s EV policy 2021 which targets 25% electrification of intra-city public conveyances and last-mile delivery vehicles across Mumbai Metropolitan Region
MMR by 2025, along with the elevation in sales of electric scooters and automobiles.
A charging station requires at least 100 square metres of open area, stated Bipin Shrimali, CMD of Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (MAHAPREIT).
He further added that the new EV charging stations might be located outside public gathering places where a large number of vehicles are parked and that has access to nearby main roads.
Over the last year, around 300-350 EV charging stations have been erected across Mumbai and Maharashtra through smart partnerships with dealers. There are 70 in Mumbai and 30 in Navi Mumbai, explained an official from ADDA, which has been in the Apartment Society Management market for over 12 years.
