EESL, BSNL to Install 100 Public EV Charging Stations in Punjab

EESL has signed an MoU with BSNL (Punjab Telecom Circle) to install 100 public EV charging stations to boost e-mobility in Punjab.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of four National Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BSNL (Punjab Telecom Circle), an Indian state-owned telecommunications company, to install 100 public EV charging stations to boost e-mobility in Punjab.

Both EESL and BSNL have entered this 10-year MOU with the objective of building electric vehicle infrastructure in the BSNL, Punjab Telecom Circle area and explore synergy for further promoting EVs, including electric two-wheelers in the state.

Under the MoU, EESL will make the entire upfront investment on services pertaining to the MoU, along with the operation and maintenance of the public charging infrastructure by using qualified personnel. BSNL would be responsible for providing the requisite space and power connections for installing the charging infrastructure.

Talking about EESL’s mission to build a robust EV infrastructure, Venkatesh Dwivedi, Director (Projects), EESL said that developing a strong supporting EV infrastructure is the key to cultivating consumer confidence in electric vehicles and would significantly enhance consumer convenience as well.

“EESL is leading initiatives to promote EV adoption in India under its national e-mobility programme. We are glad to partner with BSNL for synergistic action on setting up public charging infrastructure and services in Chandigarh,” he said.

Several states in India have released policies for promoting local adoption of EVs. The installation of public charging stations would help in gaining considerable strides towards creating a sustainable EV ecosystem in the states. With the installation of public charging stations, the range anxiety among residents will reduce considerably, which would spur the proliferation of e-mobility. This would help meet the state level targets of increasing EV adoption as well and will help bring down emission levels.

Taking forward the vision of the National Electric Mobility Programme, EESL has commissioned 300 AC and 170 DC chargers across India, with 65 public charging points currently operational in Delhi NCR. In pursuit of increasing the charging infrastructure penetration, EESL has also signed MoUs with multiple state and central organisations.

With its innovative model of demand aggregation and bulk procurement, EESL receives electric vehicles and chargers at a significantly discounted rate vis-à-vis the actual market value. Further, with access to low-cost funds, it is able to discover the most competitive project costs. Using this approach, EESL has established a sustainable business model, which makes EVs affordable for the end-consumers.