Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) has reported a remarkable surge in power consumption for electric vehicles (EVs) in the region. In July, MSEDCL sold a staggering 144.4 lakh units of electricity for EV charging at various charging stations, marking a threefold increase in power sales over the past 10 months. This surge in power consumption signifies the growing adoption of electric vehicles in the state.
To put this into perspective, power sales for EV charging stood at 61 lakh units in March 2023 and 45.6 lakh units in September 2022. The substantial increase in electricity sales aligns with the rising popularity of electric vehicles in Maharashtra.
The state currently boasts 3,214 charging stations, with MSEDCL serving as the nodal agency responsible for providing EV charging facilities. Additionally, MSEDCL is actively involved in the establishment of charging stations through its distribution system and supports the development of private charging stations.
EV charging service providers are optimistic about the future, expecting a surge in the number of charging stations to match the growing demand for EVs in the state.
Prashant Godambe, who operates an EV charging station along with a car washing center in Talegaon, stated, “Currently, I operate one EV charging station using a regular power connection, and I can charge only one car at a time. I have come to realize that there are subsidized power rates for EV charging stations. That is why I have applied for a special connection with a lower tariff so that 25 cars can be charged at once.”
Parminder Singh Vohra, a commercial EV dealership owner in the city, has installed two charging stations at his Tata Ace EV outlet on Pune-Satara Road. Vohra also operates dealerships in Pimpri Chinchwad, Sarasbaug, and Hadapsar. He anticipates that as awareness about electric commercial vehicles grows, the number of users will increase in this segment.
As electric vehicle charging stations become more accessible, the footfall at petrol pumps operating EV charging stations is expected to rise, according to All India Petrol-Diesel Association spokesperson Ali Daruwala.
Lokesh Chandra, the chairman-cum-managing director of MSEDCL, highlighted the rapid increase in the sale of electricity for vehicles through charging stations. In 2018, a total of 4,640 EVs were sold in the state, a figure that surged to 1.4 lakh in 2022, according to data from the Vahan website operated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. As of July 2023, more than 3 lakh EVs are in operation in the state, with experts predicting further growth in EV sales due to increased awareness and declining battery prices.
