Subsidy proposals this week to set up 5,000 e-charging stations

NEW DELHI: The government will within this week float two large proposals offering subsidy to states for deployment of 5,000 electric charging stations in cities and highways. This is the pilot electric infrastructure layout plan by the government and aims at promoting India’s plan to shift 40% fleet to battery-operated vehicles. Presently, there are 150 charging stations in India. Setting up stations in cities will be open to all companies while only central utilities will be eligible to deploy such infrastructure on highways.

Two separate expressions of interest for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in cities and on highways will be floated by the department of heavy industries this week, an official said.

For securing subsidy for deployment of charging stations within cities, states through their nodal agencies, mostly electricity distribution companies, will have to submit their proposals to the department.

Interestingly, for setting up electric charging points at highways, proposals can be submitted only by central public sector enterprises. For deployment of charging stations at highways 100% subsidy will be given on cost of charger and transformer, the official said.

The government has de-licensed public charging stations business for electric vehicles enabling individuals to extend such facilities, but at a regulated tariff.

Companies like ABB, Acme Industries, Fortum India and a few Dutch firms are actively considering setting up vehicle charging stations. State-run companies like NTPC, GAIL India, Indian Oil Corp and Power Grid Corp have been exploring diversification into electric vehicle charging infrastructure business.

India has recently approved phase-II of FAME India Scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India), for a period of three years commencing from April 1, 2019 with total budgetary support of Rs 10,000 crore. The main focus of this phase of the scheme is the electrification of public and shared transportation and laying of electric vehicles charging infrastructure.

The government targets setting up of one charging station every three km in cities and every 25 km on both sides of highways.