Soon owning an electric vehicle can become hassle-free for long-distance travellers as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has set a target to install charging stations every 40 to 60 kilometres on national highways.
NHAI plans to cover around 40,000 km of national highways with charging stations by 2023, with almost 700 stations coming up over the next two years.
In an interview with ThePrint, NHAI chairman Giridhar Aramane said the wayside amenities planned along the national highway network would include EV charging stations, restaurants, toilets, drivers’ resting rooms, and petrol and diesel dispensing machines etc.
“We have bid out 100 wayside amenities and got a tremendous response. Each wayside amenity has received at least six-seven bids. Once the bids are awarded, (the work) will take six months to complete,” Aramane said.
“Whoever is travelling on national highways in an electric vehicle will not suffer if the vehicle breaks down,” he added.
Besides government agencies, many public and private sector giants are planning big on electric vehicles charging infrastructure front.
State-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) plans to build as many as 5,000 electric vehicles (EV) charging stations in three years.
The oil major plans to leverage its nationwide network of 19,000 fuel retail stations, brand loyalty and years of experience in adding EV charging facilities. Most of the 5,000 EV charging stations will be built in its retail fuel outlets.