New Delhi: The MCD has chalked out a plan to take the total number of e-charging stations to 634 by the end of this year and provide the facility uniformly in areas across Delhi.
The civic body will emphasise upon setting up facilities in Najafgarh, Rohini and Narela zones in this phase to motivate people to use the electric vehicles in larger numbers.
At present, 177 charging stations have been commissioned for two wheelers and four wheelers and the majority of these are in the south, central and east zones. “To bring people in other parts of Delhi close to the facility and help others travelling in those parts to recharge vehicles easily, we are concentrating on establishing facilities in the rest of the zones,” the official said.
“The facilities are there at 32 locations in Najafgarh and 12 in Rohini while allotments will be made in the near future to provide facilities in Narela as well,” the official said.
The total number locations in the south zone, where charging facilities are to be provided is 200 stations. In the east zone there will be 160 locations and in the west zone 51 locations. “These numbers include the stations already operational. The response received so far is good as people are using the services in decent numbers,” the official said.
Of the 177 stations commissioned so far, the charging facility is at 130 parking lots while at 10 stations, battery swapping facilities are available.
“We dedicate car parking space for two to three vehicles for charging purposes at each parking lot after fixing terms with the parking contractors. This arrangement doesn’t require occupying additional public land or disturbing traffic flow. People using the parking lots can also charge vehicles conveniently,” the official said.
Other places such as busy markets, busy roads, including Ring Road, which are easily accessible are chosen for e-charging stations, including for two wheelers.
The idea is to create the infrastructure where penetration is more. “Considering the number of two-wheeler users in the city is much more than four-wheelers and the state government is giving a subsidy on the purchase of electric two-wheelers, we are trying to motivate people in this section to buy more and more electric vehicles,” the official said.
Besides being environmentally friendly, the cost of running an e-vehicle is less than INR 1 per kilometre, which is much cheaper than other fuels. “The corporation is charging Re 1 per KWH from the consumption at these e-charging stations from the concessionaires establishing and operating these charging stations,” the official said.
