How the Delhi model for EV chargers is worthy of emulation?

Pollution in the environment has reached such heights that the entire world is suffering from global warming. Weather patterns across the world have been experiencing tremendous changes. Fossil fuels like petrol and diesel emitted by vehicles have been one of the main causes of these evil effects. Hence, there is an emergency need to adopt alternative, greener forms of energy.

Alternative energy sources

Developing and developed countries have pledged to make the Earth a safe place to live in. Hence, adequate measures are being taken to curb pollution. Conventional fuel is being slowly replaced by alternative sources like solar power, nuclear power, and electricity. Such energy forms do not cause any pollution and are completely safe for mankind.

Introducing Electric Vehicles

Technology advancements have enabled the introduction of Electric Vehicles, popularly called EVs. Batteries are fitted in these vehicles to power them. Since they are pollution-free, the Indian government has been nurturing the private sector to sell them. Also, huge subsidies are offered to private businesses to develop these vehicles to cater to the common man.

Adopting new models

Electric Vehicles initially cost a lot due to the high expense of its battery. It is for this reason that sales during the initial days were very low. But with improved technology, batteries became more efficient and cheaper. One city that has advanced a lot and is ahead of the rest in the country is Delhi. The state government is said to have adopted the latest model to develop public charging infrastructure.

What issues are faced by the EV segment?

Setting up public charging stations or infrastructure on a large scale in the country is being done slowly. State and Central governments have not been able to leverage properly the private segment and attract them to make investments in charging networks. Hence, for EV infrastructure establishment, they lay emphasis more on PSUs (public sector units).

Different types of EV charging infrastructure

Delhi government is said to have adopted PPP (private public partnership) model to establish at 100 locations across the city with 500 charging points. Four EV charging infrastructure models have been adopted across the globe. They are:

• Business-led. These are independent entities that provide charging services to customers.
• PSU (Public Sector Unit) led
• Automakers-led (offering ‘walled gardens’ chargers).
• The last is Utility-led

Why Delhi-based EV charging model is considered to be a novel initiative?

There are several reasons cited for the same:

• Delhi government assures providing financial assistance to bear upstream electrical infrastructure-related expenses at the charging site. Besides this, lease rentals are likely to be linked with revenue since during initial years, stations’ profit earned from ev chargers in Delhi is likely to be meager.
• Delhi government is likely to aggregate land parcels from several agencies. The land is considered to be a scarce resource, especially in the capital city. Private players will be provided land on rent, but on a concessional basis, thus reducing the capital investment required.
• For end consumers, the Delhi government has kept fixed service charges as a bidding criterion. Hence, private bidders can now quote low service charges. Therefore, users may pay charging costs of a mere Rs. 2/unit. It is undoubtedly the cheapest when compared with other countries across the globe.
• The private sector can derive greater flexibility to determine charger combinations. This can be achieved on 70 percent of available station space. Moreover, it is to be understood that charging technology tends to evolve with time.
• The charging strategy adopted by Delhi is carried out by taking a participatory approach. Delhi Municipal Corporation and government heads were members belonging to the senior-level working group. They were established with the objective to boost charging infrastructure rollout smoothly and quickly. It is likely to result in coordinated decision-making as well as implementing the decision.

How Delhi model could influence national thinking concerning EV charging?

Based on the Delhi EV charging model, NITI Aayog has advised all states to create a working committee or group to boost state charging infrastructure development. The government of India on Delhi Model lines has suggested the following:

• Use public funds to improve the number of EV charging stations across the country.
• Charging station lease rentals to be linked with revenue.

So, is the Delhi Model worthy of emulation?

Yes! Delhi is the first state to come up with a viable and feasible model that can be adopted by other states in the country. This way, charging stations can be promoted to support the growing number of Electric Vehicles.