Surat takes the lead in installing 25 public charging stations for electric cars

Surat is leading the way in the country in terms of electric vehicle acceptability. In less than a year, the city has around 16,831 electric vehicles on the road. Experts predict that the sale of electric vehicles is increasing and that the city will soon be known as India’s “Electric Vehicle City.”

The municipal corporation has announced the EV policy with the mission of increasing more and more electric vehicles in Surat. The EV policy can be accessed at www.suratmunicipal.gov.in.

An increase in electric vehicles will reduce air pollution and improve the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Officials said that about 25 public charging stations have been operationalized in the areas such as Ring Road, Navsari Bazar, Lal Darwaja, Parvat Patia, Nana Varachha, Sarthana Nature Park, Katargam, Ved Road, Umarwada, Dumbhal, Parle Point, Dumas Road near Valentine Cinema, Piplod, Udhana-Magdalla Road, Vesu, Pandesara, Jahangirpura, Adajan, and Pal.

Sources said the unit rate for charging an electric vehicle will be Rs 14 (excluding GST). The owners of electric cars will have to use EVOLUTE-SURAT mobile application for charging their vehicles at public charging stations.

At present, about 16,831 electric vehicles are plying on the city roads, which include 564 cars, 255 three-wheelers, and 15,752 two-wheelers.

According to officials, only electric cars have access to public charging stations. However, the SMC is working quickly to create charging stations for two and three-wheelers.