Pune Municipal Corporation to install 500 EV charging stations in the city
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced that it will be setting up 500 electric vehicles (EV) charging stations in the city.
The civic administrative body has stated that the EV chargers will be placed in public places like municipal gardens, main roads, and educational institutes.
PMC states that it is taking up this initiative to promote the use of electric bikes and electric cars in Pune. The municipal corporation has already issued a tender for this project and plans to rope in private agencies for setting up the 500 EV charging stations.
PMC officials have said that the civic administrative body will be charging a minimum amount from EV owners for charging their vehicles and the money will be used for the upkeep of the station.
Shriniwas Kandul, head of PMC's electrical department has said that the project will be implemented on a revenue-sharing basis. The corporation will provide the space for the charging station, whereas the private firm that will be hired for the project will decide for the rest of the infrastructure.
Kandul also said that the income generated from these charging stations will be divided, of which a part will go to PMC as rent and other liabilities of land. A few charging stations will also be placed at PMC's vehicle depot, which also encourages the use of electric vehicles.
According to data shared by State Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), there are around 57,380 EVs are registered in Maharashtra right now. Out of these, Pune alone has 10,417 EV charging stations, while Pimpri Chinchwad has 7,139.
