EESL, AMC partners to promote EV infra in Ahmedabad

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) partnered with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Wednesday to establish enabling infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (EV) in AMC area over a 10-year period.

Under the terms outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding signed on World Environment Day 2019, AMC and EESL shall jointly work to fast-track the adoption of e-mobility in Ahmedabad by installing around 100 public charging stations and promoting electric vehicles on rental and purchase basis in AMC area.

Vijay Nehra, Municipal Commissioner, AMC signed the MoU agreement in the august presence of Vijay Rupani, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat and Venkatesh Dwivedi, Director (Projects), Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) along with other dignitaries.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Venkatesh Dwivedi, Director (Projects), EESL stated “Electric Vehicles (EVs) are at the forefront of the global agenda to move towards a sustainable future. EESL is leading initiatives to promote EV adoption in India under Indian Government’s National eMobility Mission. We are delighted to partner with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) for harnessing synergies and opportunities in this broader effort.”

The entire investment for services pertaining to MOU shall be borne by EESL along with the operation and maintenance of public charging infrastructure by qualified manpower, whereas, AMC would be responsible for provision of space for setting up charging infrastructure and provision of requisite power connection including load sanction and meter connection for charging infrastructure. With these EVs, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is expected to save over 4.46 tonnes of CO2 emissions per e-car per year.

Several states in India have released policies for promoting adoption of EVs in their respective states. Government of Gujarat is also working towards introducing a policy for the state to promote the use of electric vehicles (EV).

Installation of public charging stations would help these legislative efforts in creating a sustainable EV ecosystem in the states. With installation of public charging stations, the range anxiety among residents is expected to reduce, which would help in increasing the adoption of EVs in the city. This would help meet the state level targets of increasing EV adoption. With increasing penetration of EVs, the local emission of pollutants is also expected to reduce, leading to cleaner air providing several health benefits to the public.

Under EESL’s EV programme, EESL has completed tender processes to procure 10,000 e-cars. Till date, 1,408 e-cars have been deployed across the country and are under registration/allocation. For charging e-cars, 286 AC & 142 DC chargers have also been commissioned. EESL has signed agreements with various PSUs, Government departments, State Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana.

With the bulk procurement, EESL receives electric vehicles and electric chargers at a significantly discounted rate vis-à-vis the actual market value. Further, with access to low cost funds, the overall cost of project becomes competitive. With this, EESL has established a sustainable business model which is affordable for end consumers.