The government is considering to set up at least one electric vehicle (EV) charging booth each at approximately 69,000 petrol pumps across the country to encourage people to adopt electric mobility.
Besides, the government is also mulling making it obligatory to install EV charging booths at all company-owned, company-operated (COCO) petrol pumps of state refiners.
In an evaluation meeting on EV charging infrastructure, Power Minister R K Singh advised oil ministry, top officials, that "they may issue an order for their oil marketing companies (OMCs) under their administrative control for setting up charging kiosks at all COCO petrol pumps", sources believed.
Other franchisee petrol pump operators may also be advised to have at least one charging booth at their fuel stations, the source said adding this will help accomplish "EV charging facility at all petrol pumps in the country".
Under the new guidelines of the oil ministry, new petrol pumps must have an option of one alternative fuel.
"Most of the new petrol pumps are opting for electric vehicle charging facility under alternative fuel option. But it will make a huge difference when the existing petrol pumps would also install EV charging kiosks," the source said.
According to industry estimations, there are about 69,000 petrol pumps in the country. The EV charging facility at all petrol pumps could boost e-mobility in a big way as a lack of such infrastructure dampens people from buying EVs.
The power ministry has also chalked out a plan to focus on Delhi National Capital Region, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Vadodara, and Bhopal for creating EV charging infrastructure in cities as well as on highways to inspire people to switch over to electric mobility.
The source believed, "The minister is of the view that putting up two or three charging stations in any city would be a waste of funds. Besides, the central government is looking at complete electrification of public transport in Delhi, which can later be followed in other cities."
