Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) launched a project two years ago to establish public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city as part of its initiative towards promoting green mobility. However, despite the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city, the initiative is facing challenges, primarily due to low commuter engagement with the charging stations.
Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, PMC had planned to set up charging stations at 82 locations, including offices, parking lots, gardens, museums, auditoriums, and even crematoriums. So far, only 40 of these stations have been established due to delays in approvals and infrastructural issues. Despite the relatively large number of stations in place, usage remains limited, resulting in significant losses for both the contractor and the civic body.
Pune has seen an increase in electric vehicles, with over 4,000 electric four-wheelers and around 300,000 electric two-wheelers registered in the city. Additionally, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has incorporated e-buses into its fleet. However, the demand for public EV charging stations has not kept pace with the rise in electric vehicles.
PMC awarded the tender to Marine Electricals Pvt. Ltd. in May 2023 to install and operate the charging stations. As per the terms of the agreement, the contractor covers all costs related to infrastructure, electricity, and security, while the PMC provides the land for the stations. Charging rates at these stations range from ₹13 to ₹19 per unit, with fast charging options costing up to ₹25 per unit. In comparison, home charging costs just ₹6 to ₹7 per unit, making it a more economical choice for two-wheeler owners.
Many electric two-wheelers offer a range of up to 100 km per charge, which is typically sufficient for daily commuting. As a result, most users prefer to charge their vehicles at home overnight rather than use public charging stations, which are now mainly used in emergencies.
Over the past nine months, PMC has earned ₹19.92 lakh from the charging stations, with the contractor making a profit of ₹39.54 lakh, half of which is shared with the civic body. However, the average monthly revenue remains well below expectations.
With low foot traffic at public charging stations, PMC officials are reconsidering their approach to make EV charging more attractive and accessible for Pune’s growing number of electric vehicle owners.
