Pune, 21st August 2023 – Maharashtra has experienced a significant surge in the sale of electricity for electric vehicles (EVs), marking an impressive threefold increase over the span of ten months. The Chairman and Managing Director of MSEDCL (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited), Lokesh Chandra, revealed that the electricity sales for EVs surged from 4.56 million units in September 2022 to an impressive 14.44 million units in July 2023.
Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Devendra Fadnavis have advocated for the promotion of electric vehicles as a means to safeguard the environment. MSEDCL, serving as the nodal agency for electric vehicle charging facilities in Maharashtra, has taken several initiatives, including establishing public and private charging stations, offering mobile app facilities for EV charging, and providing assistance to the government in formulating electric vehicle policies.
Currently, Maharashtra boasts a total of 3,214 charging stations, comprising both public and private setups. These stations have contributed significantly to the notable increase in electricity sales for vehicles. Specifically, electricity sales for vehicles have shown an upward trajectory, with figures reaching 4.56 million units in September 2022, 6.10 million units in March 2023, and an impressive 14.44 million units in July 2023.
The adoption of electric vehicles in the state has witnessed remarkable growth. In 2018, Maharashtra saw the sale of 4,643 electric vehicles, a number that surged to 1,89,698 electric vehicles in 2022. As of March 31, 2023, the total count of electric vehicles in the state stood at 2,98,838. Among these, nearly three lakh electric vehicles are two-wheelers. Furthermore, electric buses have also made substantial inroads in the state’s transportation landscape. In 2018, only four electric buses were registered, whereas this number rose significantly to 336 in 2022. By the end of March 2023, the state boasted a total of 1,399 electric buses.
An Environmentally Friendly and Cost-Effective Choice
The benefits of electric vehicles extend beyond environmental considerations, offering substantial financial advantages as well. The cost per kilometer for a conventional petrol-powered two-wheeler amounts to around Rs 2.12, while an electric two-wheeler significantly reduces this to approximately 54 paise per kilometer. Similarly, a petrol-fueled four-wheeler incurs costs of about Rs 7.57 per kilometer, whereas an electric four-wheeler remarkably reduces this to Rs 1.51 per kilometer. This trend holds for three-wheelers as well, with petrol-powered vehicles costing around Rs 3.2 per kilometer, compared to electric alternatives which cost a mere 59 paise per kilometer.
The journey towards widespread electric vehicle adoption not only serves to protect the environment but also promises substantial financial savings for both individuals and the economy as a whole. As the state of Maharashtra continues to champion the electrification of transport, it stands poised to lead by example in the shift towards sustainable and cost-effective mobility solutions.
