India: Himachal Pradesh to install 402 charging stations, orders 297 electric buses

Himachal Pradesh, a northern state of India, has commissioned 402 charging stations as part of its green mobility push. The state also plans to deploy 297 electric buses to make public transport cleaner.

In a recent State Cabinet meeting, Himachal Pradesh decided to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles for government use. It plans to offer the 402 charging stations at the Public Works Department (PWD) rest houses, circuit houses, and other government facilities.

Himachal Pradesh will set up most of the new charging stations mostly at government rest houses, including 252 in those of PWD and 100 in those of the Forest Department. Of the remaining 50 charging stations, it will establish 19 in Jal Shakti rest houses, 18 in Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) premises, 12 at Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police office complexes, and one at the Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority (BBNDA) office.

“The objective of this initiative is to develop a seamless and efficient EV charging network across Himachal Pradesh, which would significantly support the adoption of EVs by government departments and encourage sustainable transportation, contributing to environmental conservation,” Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu commented on the announcement.

Himachal Pradesh has also announced six highways as green corridors and is working to install charging stations at fuel stations, government premises, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) hotels, and private hospitality establishments. It plans to bring charging stations with way-side amenities to 46 government sites. Additionally, HPTDC has inked a deal with Indian Oil to install charging stations at 65 of its hotels, beginning with 11 sites in the first phase. Private hotels in the state already offer 44 charging stations.

Home to Shimla, one of India’s most popular hill stations, Himachal Pradesh has registered 4,997 EVs so far. It is mandating all government departments to add EVs to their fleet and has inducted 500 electric taxis under an e-taxi scheme.

Recently, Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), the state’s public transport company, ordered 297 non-AC, 9-metre electric buses from Olectra Greentech. The country’s second-biggest electric bus manufacturer will both sell and maintain these electric buses and is charging HRTC approximately 4.2401 billion rupees (about 44 million euros) for this contract. It plans to deliver all 297 electric buses over a period of eleven months.

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