Ministry of Power issues revised guidelines and norms for charging infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Recently the Union Ministry of Power has issued revised guidelines and norms for charging infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (EVs).
It aims to enable rapid adoption of Electric Vehicles in India by ensuring safe, reliable, accessible and cost-effective charging infrastructure and eco-system. This will ensure energy security of the country as well as reduction in emission intensity by promoting the entire EV eco-system.
The revised guidelines will supersede the guidelines issued in the year 2019.
Salient Features of the Guidelines
- Phased Creation of Public Charging Infrastructure: Phase-I (1-3 years) for cities having population of more than 40 lakhs as per Census 2011. Phase-II (3-5 years) for big cities like state capitals and union territories.
- Electric vehicle – Owners can charge their vehicles at their residence/office using their existing electricity connection.
- Land will be made available at encouraging rates for setting up of Public Charging Stations (PCS) through Revenue Hirwari model.
- The state government will fix the ceiling on the service charges to be charged by the public charging stations.
Initiatives taken to augment the charging infrastructure of electric vehicles
- NITI Aayog has released a hangbook for guidance on EV charging infrastructure.
- The Ministry of Power has allowed the sale of electricity as a ‘service’ for charging electric vehicles.
- Incentives will be given for setting up of EV charging infrastructure, under the Three Bundles and Manufacturing Plan 2 (FAME II) of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Go Electric Campaign:
- As part of the endeavor of Government of India for E-Mobility transition, Ministry of Power along with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Heavy Industries and NITI Aayog has launched a nationwide “Go Electric” Campaign to educate the general public on the benefits of e-mobility, inform the potential EV owners about the Government incentives for EV adoption, generate curiosity and transform the same into demand, discredit misinformation against Electric Vehicles and bring together multiple stakeholders under single platform.
- Under the “Go Electric” Campaign, State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) have conducted around 15 Roadshows, 35 Webinars, and various other awareness activities including Radio jingles, EV carnival, hoardings, pamphlets, advertisements on electricity bills in multiple states across the country.
Source: The Hindu