Pune Activist Advocates Uniform E-Vehicle Charging Rates as PMC Unveils 21 Charging Stations

As Pune gears up for a green transportation revolution, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is all set to inaugurate 21 electric vehicle (e-vehicle) charging stations across the city on January 12. PMC’s ambitious plan to establish a total of 82 charging stations reflects its commitment to bolstering the electric vehicle infrastructure and promoting eco-friendly mobility options.

PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar will inaugurate these charging stations on Friday 12 January, underscoring the city’s dedication to fostering sustainable and eco-friendly transportation solutions.

PMC recognized the growing significance of e-vehicles and took the initiative by inviting tenders for the e-charging stations in 2022. A private company secured the construction contract, and PMC provided the designated locations. The entire cost of establishing these stations is covered by the private company, with 50 per cent of the income generated from charging services contributing to municipal funds.

Vivek Welankar, a Pune-based activist & president of Sajag Nagrik Manch has requested the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to keep vehicle charging rates at its vehicle charging stations similar to the vehicle charging rates at charging stations set up by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

As per information shared by Welankar, PMC is going to set up charging stations at 82 places in the city for charging electric vehicles. The facility of charging stations at 21 of these places will start from Friday, January 12.

For charging at these charging stations, customers will be charged Rs 13 to 19 per unit. Welankar said that since PMC will give all these places to a contractor for setting up the charging station, the cost of which will be similar throughout, then why is there a difference in charging rates in all these charging stations?

Welankar further said that the PMC should provide information to the public immediately about those charging stations that will charge Rs 13 and those that will charge Rs 19 without hiding anything from the people.

List of E-vehicle charging stations provided by Pune Municipal Corporation : 

The selected locations for the charging stations include prominent spots such as PMC Main Building, Savarkar Bhavan, Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, PMC’s Ghole Road Ward Office, PMC’s Tilak Road Ward Office, Balagandharv Rang Mandir, Skechers Showroom on Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road, McDonald’s Parking on JM Road, Lemon Salon Fergusson College (FC) Road Parking, Kushal Wall Street on FC Road, Art Station on FC Road, Millennium Plaza on FC Road, Peshwe Energy Park, Aryan Parking in Mandai, Gultekdi Parking, Navloba Parking in Shukrawar Peth, Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Kalamandir, Sanjay Gandhi Maternity Home, and Padmavati Parking.

Welankar further added that MSEDCL has set up charging stations for charging electric vehicles at 50 places across the state.

The charging facility is available for Rs. 13.25 per unit, so why is PMC charging Rs 19 per unit from the customers?

Following is the information about charging stations in Pune shared by Vivek Welankar :

Hence, Welankar has demanded that the PMC maintain similar charging rates at all of its charging stations similar to the rates charged by MSEDCL, i.e. at Rs 13.25 per unit.

The charging stations provide an array of amenities, such as QR codes enabling citizens to conveniently make payments through mobile apps, ensuring a smooth and user-friendly experience.

Shrinivas Kandul, Chief of the Electrical Department at PMC, who Shared that the variation in prices is due to the rented spaces on which some stations are installed. He clarified that PMC’s rates are almost at par with MSEDCL and emphasized the need for public understanding of the different operational conditions.