Delhi all charged up for EV charging

Government has set up 1k stations in less than a year.

In an official statement to PTI, the Delhi Government said this week, that is has set up 1000 EV charging stations in less than a year, under the single window facility. Plans are on to setting up 18000 more such stations in the next three years. These 1000 EV charging points installed in Delhi include 682 charging points installed at 315 locations by BRPL, 150 charging points installed at 70 locations by BYPL and 168 charging points installed at 50 locations by TPDDL.

The charging points have been set up by the different electricity providers in Delhi namely BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) - 59% by the Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs), 15% in office premises, and 13% in e-rikshaw parking areas. Delhi Government will expend Rs. 60 lakh as subsidy on these 1000 installed points.

The Delhi EV Policy launched in August 2020 provides for a subsidy of Rs. 6000 per charging point for the first 30,000 slow charging points. The net cost of these EV chargers, after deducting the subsidy, comes to an amount as low as Rs. 2500.

The single window facility that was set in place by the government in November 2021 enables any Delhi resident to request the installation of an EV charger from empaneled vendors from their areas either through the DISCOM (distribution company) online portals or through a phone call. Such single window facilities are available in private and semi-public spaces in Delhi such as residential areas, institutional buildings and commercial spaces as well. The government has already empaneled nearly 10 vendors for assisting the citizens to choose from the available EV charger options, under this single window process.

Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot aims at bolstering the EV charging infrastructure across Delhi by ensuring a network of both private and public charging stations within 3 kilometer from any point in the city. "It is just the beginning as Delhi plans to install 18,000 charging points in the next three years making it easier for the citizens of Delhi to opt for an Electric vehicle instead of an ICE vehicle. By the end of 2024, Delhi is determined to have one out of every four new vehicles purchased to be an Electric vehicle," he added.