402 e-vehicle charging stations to be set up

The state government has set up six green corridors and approved the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at 402 strategically selected locations.

The 402 e-vehicle charging stations will be set up at strategically selected locations, including government premises such as Public Works Department (PWD) rest houses, Circuit Houses, offices of Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendents of Police. “The objective of this initiative is to develop a seamless and efficient EV charging network across Himachal Pradesh, which will significantly support the adoption of EVs by government departments and encourage sustainable transportation, contributing to environmental conservation,” said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today.

He said, “The adoption of electric vehicles will play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future for Himachal Pradesh. We are committed to transforming the state into a leading hub for electric mobility.”

The plan entails setting up 252 EV charging stations in PWD rest houses, 19 in Jal Shakti Department rest houses, 18 on HPSEBL premises, 100 in Forest Department rest houses, 12 at Deputy Commissioner and SP office complexes and one at the Baddi-Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA) office.

The state government has mandated all departments to procure EVs for their fleets and as a result the number of such vehicles in Himachal Pradesh is steadily rising. So far, 4,997 EVs have been registered in the state. Under the e-taxi scheme, 500 electric taxis are being inducted into various government departments.

The government has already notified six highways as green corridors and efforts are underway to install charging stations at petrol stations, on government premises, HPTDC hotels and private hospitality units. At present, 23 charging stations are operational at petrol stations and 90 more filling stations are expected to be equipped with charging infrastructure by the end of this year.

Besides, 46 government sites have been identified for developing charging stations with wayside amenities. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), will install EV charging stations at its 65 hotels and 11 sites have been selected in the first phase. Moreover, 44 EV charging stations have already been set up in private hotels in the state.

Himachal Tribune