Greater Noida to set up 40 charging stations for electric vehicles

In the coming few months, Greater Noida will have 40 new charging stations for Electric Vehicles (EVs), with the first one expected to get operational in Alpha 1 Commercial belt later this month. The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) officials said they are studying the feasibility of such charging stations in Delhi as well. Speaking on the matter, an official from GNIDA said that more stations would be added in accordance with demand.

This is being done to reduce pollution, particularly in Delhi and NCR region by the union government. It had also asked public departments and agencies to promote usage of electric vehicles in their offices. Further, civic bodies were also requested to play a proactive role and create an ecosystem that would cater to the individuals who own electric vehicles.

Electric vehicles used within Noida Authority and GNIDA

For this project, the Noida Authority had tied up with Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) a company which was floated by the Union Ministry of Power in July last year. But, the GNIDA was yet to initiate the process. However, The Times Of India reported that the authority is gearing up to sign the agreement with the company.

In August 2019, both Noida Authority and GNIDA  started using electric vehicles internally and offered pick up and drop facilities to their employees. While the GNIDA’s fleet of vehicles had covered 30,000 kms on an average, the Noida Authority’s fleet had crossed 35,000 kms.

EESL had set up charging stations within  the offices of the two authorities and had sought space to create infrastructure for the users. While both the authorities have agreed to offer space to set up the charging stations, the company in return would give them a share of the earnings it draws as usage charges.

In Noida, 162 charging stations are expected to come in a graded manner and around 20 are already operational.