Govt Will Set Up Massive Network Of EV Charging Stations On Highways; 650 Properties Identified

Some new reports have revealed to us that NHAI will now be setting up charging stations for electric vehicles in various stations. This is another scheme by the government to promote electric vehicles across the country. 

Additionally, this is also a part of the government’s plan of real estate development along the national highways across India.

Recently, the ministry of road transport and highways issued a  draft notification that proposes to exempt the vehicles operated by battery from paying the fees or issuing or renewal of registration certificate (RC).

NHAI To Build EV Charging Points Across 650 Properties To Push EV 

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has already selected more than 650 properties in 22 states to develop highway infrastructure. These properties are spread over a combined area of over 3,000 hectares. 

For this, the NHAI will be joining hands with the private sector in the next five years.

For the upcoming Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, 94 sites have been identified, whereas, 376 sites have been identified along new highways and expressways under construction. In addition to that, around 180 sites have been selected along an already existing network of highways across the country.

NHAI has also invited bids for 138 sites out of the 650 sites that have been identified and has also received responses from many private entities to help them in this development project. 

People who use electric vehicles often complain about their batteries running out while traveling long distances. There are very few charging stations along the highways that will help them charge their electric vehicles. This new initiative by the government will definitely help solve some of these issues. 

Government’s Push For Electric Vehicles

If in case such a huge number of charging stations are set up across national highways in the country, it will also help to increase more people to opt for the greener alternative, electric vehicles. 

The governemnt has set an aim of 70 per cent of all commercial cars, 30 per cent of private cars, 40 per cent of buses, and 80 per cent of two-wheelers and three-wheelers in to be electric by 2030. 

This indicates that India will need a network of as much as 3 million public EV charging stations in the next nine years. 

Govt. has already ordered Uber and Ola to convert 40% of their fleet into the electric mode by 2026, and reports from auto-firms have been asked, regarding how electric mobility can expand in India.

Incentives such as zero registration fees for electric vehicles has already been proposed, and more incentives and discounts for electric vehicle users will be put forward in the coming days.

However, there are challenges which need to be sorted out.

Ola attempted their electric vehicle fleet, but they failed, and the project had to be dropped..

After the Govt said that only electric 2-wheelers will be sold in India, automobile firms are seeking more time, and more clarity on this whole thing.