In the past couple of years, we’ve seen a number of state governments joining forces with automotive, energy and technology providers to initiate the process of setting up a supporting infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs). One of those states is Uttar Pradesh (UP). Earlier this year, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led government invited expressions of interest (EoIs) from companies to set up EV charging stations.

In a bid to give the push for EVs an extra boost, the state government has now announced a rebate of 25 per cent on the market rate of land for setting up said facilities. This move comes on the back of a three-point policy which should lay the groundwork for faster adoption of EVs. One – more EVs to be manufactured in the state. Two – preparing a widespread network of charging stations. And three – generating demand for EVs. The UP Govt. is expected a Rs 40,000 crore state-wide investment which could generate employment for as much as 50,000 people.

The state government is targeting to set up two lakh charging stations in the first phase, which will end in 2024. According to a document released for EoIs, UP has identified a total of eight cities for the first phase – Noida, Prayagraj, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Agra, Varanasi, Kanpur and Lucknow. In addition to charging stations in those cities, the Govt. also wants certain highway corridors to be EV-ready. These are Agra and Lucknow Expressway, Delhi and Agra Expressway, the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and the under-construction Purvanchal Expressway from Lucknow to Ballia.

Two EV-Supporting Highway Corridors Expected By March 2020

Last month, an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between Noida Authority and state-run EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Limited) to install a total of 100 EV charging points. While the former will carve out spaces for charging points across the densely populated city, the latter will set up, operate and maintain them.