Maharashtra govt to set up EV charging points at petrol stations

In order to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and encourage buyers to switch to electric cars, the state government of Maharashtra has decided that it will partner with petrol companies to put up charging points at petrol stations in the state. Dr Nitin Raut, New and Renewable Energy minister, Maharashtra government, made this official announcement at the Pune Alternate Fuel Conclave 2022.

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL), Maharashtra State Electricity Generation Co. Ltd. (MAHAGENCO), and Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd. will form a joint venture with petrol giants in India to install charging stations at various petrol stations. Additionally, the minister announced that the government will be expanding the charging network to schools and colleges across the state.

The Alternate Fuel Conclave (AFC) Pune 2022 is an initiative of the Maharashtra government to promote greener energy, electric mobility – especially electric vehicles, and so forth. The four-day Pune AFC organisers include Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MTDC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in association with Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture. Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray, chief minister of Maharashtra, inaugurated the conclave.

Speaking at Pune AFC 2022, Dr Nitin Raut, said, 'We have decided to form JV with Petrol companies to set up EV charging stations in the premises of petrol pumps. The next step would be to set up charging stations in the schools & Colleges premises.'