New Year gift: Thane to get 100 e-charging stations

THANE: If all goes as planned then by the New Year the city will get its first batch of e-charging stations in many parts of the city. The civic body is planning to roll out one such facility in January and has signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding this on Thursday.

Officials said that in the MoU was signed by the TMC and two private automobile companies—Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd and Kinetic Greens— after carrying out a two-month discussion and survey. They will launch 100 e-charging stations in the city.

Sunil Pote, deputy city-engineer at the TMC said, “We had conducted a survey wherein it was brought to our notice that 60% of the pollution in our city is caused by vehicles. We had approached the International Finance Company who is providing the funds. We are currently in the process of identifying amenity plots for setting up the e-stations. Public spaces near malls, theatres and other areas are being targetted. The companies will be offering some beneficial buy-back schemes to garner a positive and larger response from citizens.” To make the initiative more lucrative for residents, the TMC will bear 75% of the electricity cost for the first year, 50% in the second and 25% in the third year, an official said.

“If a user wants to charge his two-wheeler at the station then he/she will have to pay Rs 7 after which they will be able to ride the bike for 70km at a stretch. If we are going to provide electricity then the prices will be very economical. This way, the project will be a sustainable transport solution and will help in curbing the air pollution. It will also be affordable. The charging station will be equipped with battery swapping technologies as well. The companies are in the process of developing battery swapping technologies too,” added Pote.

If a user wants to charge his two-wheeler at the station then he/she will have to pay Rs 7 after which they will be able to ride the bike for 70km at a stretch. If we are going to provide electricity then the prices will be very economical. This way, the project will be a sustainable transport solution and will help in curbing the air pollution