For the convenience of electric vehicle owners, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) plans to establish 82 electric vehicle charging stations within the next few months.
PMC which manages buildings, premises, and ward offices, will host most stations. The PMC is in the process of identifying the locations and the stations will be installed on a public-private-partnership (PPP) basis. The infrastructure will be provided by the PMC at no cost to them. They plan to install 500 charging stations in phases.
According to a PMC official, “The administration is expanding charging stations because of the increasing number of vehicles that run on batteries. The main PMC building already has charging points. In parking lots of various PMC-run buildings, thirty charging points will be installed. A maximum of four cars can be charged simultaneously.”
Another official said that they would check the operation of the stations in the first phase, and make changes based on user feedback.
The administration is currently working on a scheme that will provide an electric-auto-rickshaw subsidy of Rs 25,000, similar to the one given to CNG-auto-rickshaws a few decades ago. Officials confirmed that the details were being finalized. This is an effort to encourage the use of electric vehicles in public transport.
Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML), is also adding electric buses to its fleet. This will be done in a gradual manner. An official stated that the PMC will provide all necessary assistance to PMPML for charging points for electric buses.
