Tripura seeks funds for EV charging stations

AGARTALA: With the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in the state, the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has submitted a proposal to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) requesting funds to establish charging stations across the state.
According to officials, the initial phase of the project aims to set up at least four charging stations in Agartala, adhering to commercial standards to prevent overburdening domestic connections.Despite the registration of around 100 EVs with the state govt, including a few in the administration, there are currently no commercial charging points in the state.
A TSECL official on Friday said, “Along with other parts of the country, several companies have been selling EVs and two-wheelers on a bigger scale in the state and they are being charged at home in the domestic connections, most of the power connection cannot bear the load and increased pressure on the transmission system thereby causing frequent faults.”
The Centre has implemented a policy to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, aiming to reduce carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. All state govts were instructed to develop EV policies that incentivise switch to electric mobility and establish the necessary infrastructure. However, Tripura has yet to take significant action in this regard.
In the past five years, battery-operated three-wheelers and converted paddle tri-cycle rickshaws with unauthorised battery customisation have become prevalent across Tripura. This trend has led to an increased power load on domestic connections.