PUNE: State transport minister Anil Parab on Tuesday said the state government was planning to approach petrol pumps and individual land owners for leasing space to set up charging stations for electric vehicles, registrations of which were on a rise in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad areas, especially.
“We are in talks with vehicle manufacturers and dealers on the issue of charging stations. We are also looking at approaching petrol pump and individual land owners in cities across the state to collaborate with them for space required for setting up charging stations. The manufacturers have also been asked to take a lead and negotiate with them to secure space in exchange of revenue,” the minister said.
A transport department official said the system was expected to be similar to the one adopted by the telecom sector. “Petrol pumps are the best place to set up charging stations and talks can happen with them at the government level or by vehicle manufacturer,” the official said.
With the sale of e-vehicles increasing and the state government recently coming out with a policy on the same, the availability of charging stations poses a major challenge, dealers said.
RTO officials in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad said July had seen the highest sale of e-vehicles in 2021. “The registrations are going up and most of the vehicles bought are either two wheelers and e-carts,” a Pune RTO official said.
Amey Pawar, a dealer of electric two-wheeler, said the market for e-vehicles was growing, but limited charging stations was a concern.
Read more:
As a pilot project, KMRL in association with agency for new and renewable energy research and technology (Anert) will set up charging points in four Metro stations soon.