RTC to set up EV charging stations in 25 bus depots in city

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation has begun preparations to set up electric vehicle charging stations in 25 bus depots within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits, as part of its plan to introduce 2,200 electric buses in the city.To facilitate the rollout, TGSRTC and the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) held a coordination meeting on Thursday to discuss the power infrastructure required for the charging facilities and the provision of electricity connections. Apart from the 25 depots in Hyderabad, two charging points will be established at the Suryapet depot, while one charging station each will come up at the Sangareddy and Nalgonda depots. RTC officials said that nearly 124 megawatts of power supply would be needed to operate the charging stations. Detailed discussions were held on the infrastructure requirements, including the laying of power lines and other electrical works. TGSRTC vice-chairman and managing director Y Nagi Reddy said the corporation plans to introduce electric buses on a large scale in the Greater Hyderabad region within this year. He added that TGSRTC would provide space at available locations for setting up switching stations or substations required for the charging facilities. TGSPDCL chairman and managing director Musharraf Faruqui directed power officials to examine the applications submitted by TGSRTC, prepare cost estimates by Feb 1, and initiate the necessary works for establishing the charging stations.