In a major step towards promotion of cleaner mobility alternatives, the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) has signed a pact with the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) to install nearly 100 public charging stations in the city and bolster the adoption of electric vehicles.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed between EESL Managing Director Saurabh Kumar and NOIDA CEO Ritu Maheshwari, will fast-track the adoption of e-mobility in Noida by promoting robust electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. NOIDA Chairman Alok Tandon was also present during the signing of the pact.
"Electric vehicles are a viable solution to combat air pollution and ensure a greener future. We are spearheading EV adoption in India under the government's National eMobility Programme. EESL believes that ensuring consumer convenience is critical to accelerate eMobility in India. Developing a robust supporting infrastructure, therefore, is key to catalyze consumer confidence in EVs. We are delighted to partner with NOIDA to accelerate the adoption of EVs by developing robust EV charging infrastructure," Kumar said.
"Installation of public charging stations will reduce the range of anxiety among NOIDA residents and accelerate the adoption of EVs in the area. A robust public charging infrastructure complements the legislative efforts in creating a sustainable EV ecosystem. With the increasing penetration of EVs, the local emission of pollutants is also expected to reduce, leading to cleaner air and several public health benefits," Maheshwari said.
While EESL, a joint venture of public sector undertakings under the Union Ministry of Power, will make the entire upfront investment on services pertaining to the MoU along with the operation and maintenance of public charging infrastructure by qualified manpower, NOIDA would be responsible for the provision of space and requisite power connection for the charging infrastructure.
The initiative is estimated to save over 4.04 tonnes of CO2 emissions per e-car per year, EESL claimed.
"We are constantly striving to make NOIDA cleaner, greener and more sustainable. Establishing a public charging infrastructure in the city will greatly augment these efforts and will spur EV adoption in the city. With this partnership with EESL, we envisage the eMobility movement to gain traction in the city," Tandon said.
Under its EV program, EESL has completed the tender processes to procure 10,000 e-cars. Besides, there has been a deployment of as many as 1,510 e-cars across the country till date.
During the presentation of the 2019 Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced an additional tax benefit of Rs 1.5 lakh on the interest paid on the loans taken for the purchase of EVs. The government has also moved the GST Council to decrease the GST rate on EVs from 12 percent to 5 percent.
