Delhi government launches 11 EV charging stations

Delhi’s EV revolution gained pace on October 18, 2022, as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched 11 high-tech low-cost electric charging stations to promote the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the state.

The locations of these 11 public charging and swapping stations are Indraprastha Metro Station Parking, Subhas Nagar Metro Station Parking, Vasant Vihar Metro station, Kair Depot, Dwarka Mor Metro Station Parking, Shadipur DTC Depot, Sarita Vihar Metro Station Parking, Mohan Estate Metro Parking, Harkesh Nagar Okhla Metro Station Parking, Hauz Khas Metro Station Parking and Parking Area Near Star Mall Mayur Vihar.

These charging stations have been launched as part of a larger project to establish 100 charging stations across the state. A special ceremony was held at the premises of Indraprastha Metro Station Parking, where one of the 11 stations has been developed.

CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal says, “Through these 11 electric charging stations, Delhi has given the world the most affordable model of its kind. Driving an EV after charging them here would be extremely cheap — it would barely cost 7 paise/km for two-wheelers, 8 paise/km for three-wheelers and 33 paise/km for four-wheelers. There are 73 charging points and 12 swapping stations at these 11 charging stations, consumers will be charged at the rate of Rs 3 per unit. 100 charging stations with 900 charging points and 103 swapping stations to be operational in 2 months.

He added, "Under the EV policy, we had set a target of ensuring that 25% of total vehicles purchased in Delhi by 2024 are EVs. We have already achieved 10 per cent in two years. Delhi Government has prioritised the installation of EV charging stations, which has played a significant role in the promotion of EVs. In the last two years, 70 thousand electric vehicles have been purchased in Delhi leaving cities like New York and California behind.”

While, Dialogue and Development Commission Vice Chairperson Jasmine Shah tweeted, “With these rock bottom EV charging rates of 7-8 paise/km, Delhiites have another reason to switch electric this Diwali; proud of DDC Delhi’s role in making this happen.”

Arvind Kejriwal said that the Delhi EV policy aimed at making Delhi the EV capital of India was launched in August 2020. He says, "When we notified the policy, the target of ensuring 25 per cent of all new sales of vehicles to be EVs by 2024 was considered very ambitious. However, in the last two years, Delhi has shown what can be achieved if the government is committed to achieving its goals aimed at serving the people. In the last two years, Delhi has emerged as the first state where EV adoption rates have reached double digits with an average of 10 per cent in the year 2022 and even crossing it over the period."

He highlighted that the first question one thinks of before buying an EV is where it would be charged. On this, he says that Delhi already has close to 2900 public charging points and 250 swapping stations. These charging points have been set in public spaces like malls, theatres, RWAs, and office premises. "Today with the inauguration of 11 charging stations, another 73 public charging points and 12 swapping stations have been opened for the public. As part of the larger tender, around 900 charging points and 103 swapping stations will be made operational in the next 2 months across 100 charging stations in Delhi. 70% of these sites are Delhi Metro parking areas where EV users can easily park their vehicles for charging." says he.

The CM stated, "There are many unique aspects of the Delhi Government’s PPP approach to developing public charging and swapping infrastructure. For setting up these charging and swapping stations, Delhi Government has provided land at highly concessional rates and electrical infrastructure of up to 100kW on each site. The rest of the input costs are being borne by private entities."

He concluded, "Such rates are perhaps the lowest all over the world. The EV Model of Delhi is extremely unique. It can shape the path for the entire country to ride on this revolution. That being said, we are keen to adopt any good practices followed anywhere else as well. The government aggregated 100 land parcels from different agencies for this project. It is also the only initiative which provides equal footing to an emerging solution like battery swapping. I wholeheartedly congratulate the DTL, the Delhi Metro and the Dialogue and Development Commission on this occasion. This is the beginning of an emerging movement that will make Delhi the EV Capital of the whole world.”

Moreover, Electric buses account for approximately 25% of all new buses introduced in Delhi, with 1500 e-buses expected to hit the streets by December 2022.