VIJAYAWADA: The Energy department, which is preparing a concrete plan of action to promote the usage of electric vehicles (EVs) in the State, is all set to open 50 EV charging stations in various cities shortly. The officials said that the first station, coming up at the Interim Government Complex in Velagapudi, will be up and running in a week’s time.
The availability of charging stations has become crucial as the State government is in the process of introducing 1,000 to 1,500 EVs in the State in the next few months. Since the non-availability of charging stations would impede the department’s plan to promote EVs extensively, the department has roped in a firm in April to set up the stations in Amaravati, Vijayawada, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Tirumala.
The officials said that the works are in final stage. “The EV charging stations are almost ready. In fact, the one coming up at the Interim Government Complex in Velagapudi will be ready for operation in a week,” K Vijayanand, CMD of AP Transco and MD of AP Genco, told TNIE. According to information, five charging stations would be coming up in Amaravati.
Besides serving the purpose of charging the EVs, the stations would also act as a source of revenue to the State government, the officials added. The officials from Energy department further said that the delivery of EVs would begin from this month. According to information, about 300 EVs will be delivered in a phased manner by Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) starting from July.