Energy Efficiency Services (EESL), a joint venture under Ministry of Power has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL), one of the largest engineering and manufacturing enterprises in India to set up a network of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles at various highways across India.

The partners will jointly explore opportunities in the field of e-mobility and fast-track the adoption of EVs in the country under the central government's national e-mobility programme. As part of the MoU, BHEL will offer complete EPC solutions from concept to commissioning, while EESL will make the entire upfront investment on services, along with the operation and maintenance of the public charging infrastructure. The collaboration covers identifying, planning, development and installation of charging stations at suitable locations.

Commenting on the partnership, Saurabh Kumar, MD, EESL said: “Mobility is changing rapidly, and India is powering ahead to a sustainability-driven future by adopting electric vehicles. Availability of adequate charging infrastructure is one of the key requirements for further accelerating EV adoption in India. Setting up various charging stations at highways will boost the interest of public commuting from one city to another enabling a smooth and sustainable transition to a future-oriented mobility solution.”

The partners say installation of public charging stations will help create a sustainable EV ecosystem in the states and cities to promote local adoption of e-mobility. With installation of public charging stations, the range anxiety among public is expected to reduce, which would help in increasing the adoption of EVs in the cities across India. This would also help meet the state level targets of increasing environment friendly clean fuel transportation. With increasing penetration of EVs, the local emission of pollutants is also expected to drop, leading to cleaner air providing several health  benefits.