West Bengal’s power distribution company to set up e-vehicle charging stations

West Bengal’s power distribution company is planning to set up e-vehicle charging points at strategic locations in the state and introduce a large number of e-vehicles in its fleet to reduce dependency on fossil fuel, it said in a statement.
Officials said that such initiatives by states, along with policy measures taken and planned by the central government will contribute significantly to India’s e-vehicles programme, which reduces pollution and makes the country less dependent on imported fuel.

In keeping with a 'Green City Mission' launched by the state government and to promote eco-friend initiatives, West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (WBSEDCL) has procured three Tata Tigor e-vehicles on lease basis from Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL).

One of the e-vehicles has been placed as a staff car of the Chief Secretary Government of West Bengal and the other two vehicles have been made available to the department of power in line with WBSEDCL’s commitment to e-mobility, public awareness and a greener world.

The plan is to slowly increase the number of electric vehicles in its fleet shortly.

The central government is also planning a series of initiatives to support e-vehicles and charging stations to encourage their use and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which put a huge strain on India’s foreign exchange reserves.

In order to promote the battery-operated vehicles, the Centre is likely to facilitate supply of power to electric vehicle charging stations at average cost of supply of power distribution companies.

Government officials say that the proposed National Tariff Policy will also support e-vehicles and charging stations to make them more convenient and affordable for consumers.

Officials said that the proposed National Tariff Policy has suggested measures to lower tariff for electric vehicle charging. It also proposes lesser tariff during non-peak hours in a day. Besides, it proposes consumption-based tariff without fixed charges for electrical vehicle charging stations till March 2022, a senior official said.

The proposed Tariff Policy will guide the state electricity regulators to fix tariffs for supply from distribution companies to public charging stations at cost and also fix differential tariff for peak and non-peak hours. The policy will guide state regulators in tariff formulation for public charging stations. It will also guide states to provide for single part tariff for charging stations till March,” he said.

An industry executive said that since energy consumption is not fixed for charging stations, fixed charges would become burden on infra owners. He said the business model of electric vehicle infrastructure can be viable only if there is traffic and utilisation of asset happens. In case the traffic is not there, utilisation would not happen. Additionally if fixed cost burden is imposed, their cash outflow will make the model non-profitable, the executive said.

The much-awaited policy, regarded as one of the biggest reforms in the power sector, has been finalised and has been sent to the Union cabinet for approval.