The Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) announced on 28 Feb 2019 that it will set up a network of solar-based electric vehicles (SEVC) on the Delhi-Chandigarh highway. In an official statement, the company said, “The EV charging stations will be installed between the Delhi and Chandigarh at an interval of 250 km”.

EV Charging station in Netherlands! BHEL could be installing something similar! Each BHEL SEVC charging station will be equipped with a roofing solar power plant. 

(We at PlugInCaroo feel that… 

the interval of 250km is too long because there are no Indian EVs that can travel 250-300kms even in the forseeable future. The maximum distance between 2 charging stations hould have been 100kms max. The charging station should also have overnight staying facility, cafe/restaurants, vehicle washing areas, tyre repair shop). We at PlugInCaroo also feel multiple charging points around the city are NOT AT ALL REQUIRED!!! Because who will want to pay double the price for charging the car at a charging station when it can be charged at home almost free? After all CHARGING STATIONS WILL NOT BE FREE! People keep requesting for charging stations expecting them to be free of charge!)

India is focusing on the use of electric vehicles for reducing pollution in cities and reducing dependence on oil imports. While it is important to develop a strong infrastructure for charging the batteries of electric vehices.

BHEL said that the company will design, manufacture, supply and install EV charging stations with a central monitoring system. Each SEVC charging station will be equipped with a roofing solar power plant to supply green energy to fast and slow chargers installed at the station location.

However, the company has not cleared that who will operate the charging stations and how much charging fee required to pay by the vehicle owners for charging their vehicles.

As part of its diversification initiative, BHEL is expanding Electric Mobility into its business. The company has already installed a DC charger in the Udyog Bhawan in New Delhi. BHEL is also executing another commercial order for the installation of DC chargers at various locations in the country.

It is said in the statement that the company is increasing its offer in e-mobility segment and it has been preparing itself for EV chargers and electric buses. As a part of the Government of India’s ‘Make in India‘ initiative , in-house development of EV Motors, Propulsion Systems, and Fast Chargers have also been developed by the company.

The Government of India has set a target to achieve 100% electric mobility in the country by the end of the year 2030.