NMC begins the process to set up electric vehicle charging stations across city – EQ Mag Pro

Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has started the process to set up charging stations for electric vehicles (EV), whether bus or four-wheelers, across the city considering rise in these eco-friendly vehicles.

In a boost for its plan, the civic body has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government’s Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Technology Limited (MAHAPREIT), which will fund and execute projects like establishment of EV charging stations.

NMC’s electrical department floated a tender on Wednesday seeking rates for various equipment required to sett up EV charging stations. The civic body follows common schedule of rates (CSR) framed by the state’s public works department for executing any work. There is no mention of rates for establishment of EV charging stations in PWD’s CSR. Therefore, NMC has started the process to fix rates.

Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B told TOI, “NMC and Smart City SPV NSSCDCL can take up works of setting up charging stations once rates are fixed. Plan is going on with MAHAPREIT to develop EV charging stations.”

Nagpur Smart and Sustainable Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDCL) had also proposed to establish 13 EV charging stations under Smart City Project. Process to sign an agreement with an agency is reportedly in final stages.

MahaMetro has already developed charging stations for electric two-wheelers at some Metro platforms.

The owner of an EV car, Subhash Pachbudhe, said, “It will be a big relief for us in case NMC or any other government agency sets up charging stations. My vehicle’s range is 250km. I have to always check if the range is nearing. I visit my sites situated in rural parts of the district and also roam around in the city for my business work. A couple of times, I had to return home for charging. EV stations will help us from landing up in problems. I have seen some two-wheelers facing this problem.”

NMC officials said the civic body is taking up various projects to make the city free of pollution. “We plan is to run all city buses on eco-friendly means. Projects will be framed in phased manner to provide infrastructure to promote eco-friendly two-wheelers and four-wheelers,” they said.

In association with MAHAPREIT, NMC is also planning to take up projects related to production of solar energy and other types of infrastructure related to renewable energy.

IN A NUTSHELL
* NMC running 13 electric city buses
* Bus operator has set up charging station
* Number of electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers on the rise
* MahaMetro established stations for two-wheeler charging
* NSSCDCL started process to set up 13 charging stations for four wheelers
* NMC signed MoU with MAHAPREIT to develop charging stations for buses and four-wheelers
* Rates for setting up stations not fixed
* NMC floated tenders to fix rates

Source: PTI