The Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (MahaMetro) has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Energy Efficient Services Ltd. (EESL) to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Nagpur. Not all but only those metro stations where there is ample space available for setting-up such facilities will be chosen. What’s more, the solar power generated at metro stations will be used to power the EV charging stations which, in turn, will charge two-wheels as well as cars.

All operational metro stations in the Orange city of India has solar panels installed atop. MahaMetro plans to install those on all the upcoming metro stations as well. With abundant sunlight to take advantage of, the rail corporation plans to meet 65 per cent of its energy need for EV charging stations through solar. Presently, a total of 965 solar panels are installed and operational at various stations.

As far as the tariff is concerned, MahaMetro will supply electricity to EESL at Rs 3.5 per unit. The latter will charge Rs 6 per unit from EV owners who use the charging stations. The latter rate also matches that demanded by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL). The difference, which is Rs 2.5 per unit, will be shared between the MahaMetro and EESL. It will be the latter who will operate and maintain the facilities.

With Nagpur joining that bandwagon, the boost of electric mobility will gain more momentum. Cities such as Delhi and Chennai already have EV charging stations at several of their respective metro stations. This isn’t the first time EESL has joined forces with a corporation or an authority to erect supporting infrastructure for EVs. In July this year, it signed an agreement with Noida Authority to install 100 EV charging points across the densely-populated city.