NMC Selects 11 Key Locations to Launch E-Vehicle Charging Stations - Check Out the Stations
Nagpur, India: Expecting significant growth in e-vehicles on city roads, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is preparing for the shift by planning the installation of charging infrastructure. Currently, 11 locations have been selected across the city to establish public charging stations (PCS) under a public-private partnership model.
This is in line with the policy adopted by the Maharashtra Government under its Electric Vehicle Policy, 2021, which encourages urban local bodies to set up public charging infrastructure within their jurisdiction.
Confirming the development, Rajendra Rathod, Executive Engineer of the Electric Department, NMC, stated that the visible shift can be seen both on the ground and in e-vehicle sales figures. The government has also taken steps to promote e-vehicles as part of its efforts to address the challenge of climate change. Therefore, the civic body aims to tackle issues that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Vehicle emissions are one of the prime reasons for causing damage to the ozone layer, as they release carbon monoxide. In light of this, the NMC has anticipated growing electric vehicle usage and, to ensure easier adaptation, it plans to fill the mobility gap by providing a sufficient number of charging points. With more people opting for e-vehicles, these PCS will be useful for those needing to charge their batteries while on the move.
While NMC plans for these stations to operate during the day, it has also left the option open for overnight operation, depending on the operator’s preference and the availability of necessary infrastructure. Rathod believes that although e-vehicle usage is currently low, the NMC policy is designed for the next 10 years, by which time every second vehicle on the road could be non-polluting. As a result, the operation of PCS is expected to experience significant growth.
The sites identified by the civic body are located in public parking areas, such as Central Bazaar Road and wholesale market zones. Since people often park their vehicles for long hours in these areas, with the future increase in e-vehicles, they are expected to use the PCS to recharge their batteries.
The sites identified for the first phase of PCS include Jaitala Bazaar Square (Orange Street) with 4 slots, Rahate Colony Square (Near PKV Land) with 4 slots, Dayanand Park with 2 slots, the Police Motor Transport section on Katol Road with 2 slots, the parking area near Yashwant Stadium with 4 slots, Wadi Naka on Amravati Road with 4 slots, Futala Lake near the Police Outpost with 4 slots, Budhwari Bazaar in Sakkardara near the Water Tank with 4 slots, Shanti Nagar Main Road with 2 slots, behind Anjuman College at Mangalwari Complex with 4 slots, and the parking lot opposite Tuli Imperial Hotel on Central Bazaar Road in New Ramdaspeth with 4 slots.
Rathod further mentioned that a rental fee has been set for each of the sites, which interested parties must consider when assigning charges to consumers. The NMC's plan aligns with the government’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070, as pledged at the COP 26 conference. As part of this goal, a target of a 45 percent reduction in emissions by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, has been set, which will drive the growth of e-vehicles in cities.
The trend of e-vehicles is already growing in two-wheelers and is slowly catching on in four-wheelers. Because of this, NMC is investing in PCS, hoping to break even in the next few years. The government is also working to reduce emissions in the transport sector, with more e-vehicles being added to public transport. Another reason for the PCS project is India's commitment to the global EV30@30 pledge, which aims for 30% of new vehicle registrations to be electric by 2030.
