Pradeep Sharma

Tribune press service

Chandigarh, January 4

Housing companies, shopping malls, office complexes, hotels and restaurants will now be able to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Haryana.

20th state to have its own policy

• Once finalized, Haryana will be the 20th state to implement its own electric vehicle (EV) policy
• This despite being home to top car makers – Maruti Suzuki and Honda Motor – and two-wheeler makers – Hero MotoCorp
• Neighboring states, including the UP, Punjab and Uttarakhand, have already finalized their own policies on electric vehicles.

With the publication by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) of rules and regulations for the establishment of charging infrastructure, tariff and regulatory issues for electric vehicles, the state is closer to the launch of its ambitious electric vehicle policy.

Stating that the installation of public terminals would be a “tort” activity, HERC specified that any individual or entity would be free to set up these terminals. In addition, private home charging, office complexes will be allowed to install these stations.

Describing the main orientations for the installation of public terminals, HERC stressed that at least one station should be available in the 3X3 grid and every 25 km on either side of highways or roads. “A state-specific roadmap for Haryana will be prepared in accordance with the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, 2020, by the Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency, the nodal agency,” added the HERC.

The charging infrastructure for electric vehicles will be based on two models – one reportedly owned by Discom while the second is private. “The discoms will propose a capital investment plan to modernize its charging infrastructure hosting network to facilitate smooth and efficient charging of electric vehicles at the respective station. The investment plan will be prepared after discussions with investors / stakeholders / private actors, who wish to set up charging stations, ”said HERC.

He further stated that the concessional tariff of Rs 5.55 / kWh (per unit) will be applicable for charging stations. In addition, a separate electrical connection must be made by the requester for the charging station for which a separate metering arrangement would be made.