Telangana sub-stations to have EV charging points

Here’s some good news for those who are using e-vehicles. The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) and Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO) Limited are exploring the possibilities of setting up charging stations in electrical sub-stations across the State.

Since sub-stations have sufficient space, the TSSPDCL and TSREDCO came up with the idea of setting up charging stations. Though modalities for establishing the charging units are yet to be prepared, officials are seriously considering it to meet the increasing demand from e-vehicle owners, official sources said.

One of the major advantages of setting up charging units at sub-stations is the availability of sufficient space coupled with existing infrastructure to get power supply for the charging units. The space surplus available in several sub-stations, particularly on highways, can easily accommodate over 20 vehicles.

Sources said the TSSPDCL and TSREDCO officials have already discussed proposals but a blueprint



has to be prepared to expedite the process. “The surplus space in as many as 415 sub-stations under the GHMC limits could be utilised to a large extent to set up charging units,” the official said.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has sanctioned 2,877 e-vehicle charging stations in 68 cities across 25 States and Union Territories.

Further, 1,576 charging stations have been sanctioned across nine expressways and 16 highways under phase-II of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme.

The Ministry has also allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the development of charging infrastructure. As of November 8, 2021, as many as 136 charging stations are operating in Telangana, which is among the top 10 States in the country actively supporting the use of e-vehicles with more than 9,000 e-vehicles, mostly bikes and cars, presently being used in GHMC, Warangal and Karimnagar. When contacted, TSREDCO Project Director DV Ramakrishna Kumar confirmed the proposal to set up charging units in sub-stations.