Ather to Build 1,000 EV Charging Stations in Karnataka
The agreement comes at a time when Karnataka is trying to capitalize on the growing interest in green technologies by inviting more companies in the sector to set up shop in the state
The Karnataka government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with electric vehicle (EV) maker electric vehicle to set up 1,000 fast-charging stations across the country as the state looks to increase its green mobility footprint.
“An MoU was signed between Ather Energy and Electric Supply Companies (ESCOMs) of the state in the presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for setting up 1,000 fast-charging stations across the state. The ESCOMs would be the nodal agency to provide all technical support and government agencies would coordinate with the ESCOMs to share their available spaces for the charging stations,” a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s office (CMO) stated on Thursday.
Electric bikes are suddenly everywhere. Electric cars can’t be told apart, but they’ve seen sales jump too.
As petrol and diesel prices soar, more buyers are considering electric vehicles because they cost dramatically less to run — Rs 1 per km against about Rs 6.6 per km for a petrol-powered SUV.
The agreement comes at a time when Karnataka is trying to capitalize on the growing interest in green technologies by inviting more companies in the sector to set up shop in the state and make it a hub for the production of alternative fuel vehicles and essential components including battery technology.
Interestingly, two of Bengaluru’s best-known EV makers have set up shop in neighboring Tamil Nadu despite the bulk of their operations being in Karnataka.
Ola, the mobility service provider, also decided to set up their ₹2,400 crore two-wheeler manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu’s Hosur.
Karnataka has been trying to build on the proposal by the union government to come out with a policy for battery swapping and introducing standards for interoperability to assist efforts of the private sector and as a boost to improve EV adoption.
Karnataka has at least USD 3 billion worth of investment interests in the works for EV-related manufacturing and services which are yet to be implemented.
But battery swapping would work more effectively if batteries are standardized, allowing service providers to install these swapping stations that would help mitigate range anxiety.
