Delhi-Chandigarh highway becomes India’s first EV-friendly highway

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The Union Heavy Industries Minister Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey inaugurated the country’s very first Solar Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station at the Karnal Lake Resort on Thursday.

About the Solar EV charging station:

With the inauguration of the first solar electric vehicle charging station at the Karnal lake resort, the Delhi-Chandigarh Highway has become the first e-vehicle friendly highway in India.

The EV charging station at the Karnal lake resort is strategically located at the midpoint of the Delhi-Chandigarh highway and is equipped to cater to all types of E-cars plying currently in the country.

Further, work is in progress for upgrading the other charging stations on this highway, within a year.

Set up by BHEL under FAME:

The network of Solar-based Electric Vehicle Charging stations (SEVCs) is set up by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) under the FAME-1 [Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) & Electric Vehicles in India] scheme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

The state-of-the-art charging station at the Karnal Lake Resort was virtually inaugurated by the Union Minister of Heavy Industries, in the presence of Arun Goel, Secretary (MHI). Dr. Nalin Shinghal, Chairman & Managing Director, BHEL.

Congruent with PM’s vision:

The setting up of India’s very first solar EV station in India is in line with the central government’s ardent push towards e-vehicles and green energy.

And, PM Narendra Modi in his latest Independence day speech further reiterated his vision and mission to weigh environmental security equally with national security.

The Minister of Heavy industries, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey while recalling the PM’s I-day speech, said- “the Hon’ble PM has clearly highlighted that environment security has the same importance as national security and that India is making all efforts towards becoming energy independent.”

India is a vibrant voice of environmental security which comprises climate change, energy conservation, clean energy transition efforts, etc. and the nation’s efforts in the environment have started giving desired results. This is an important step in the direction of achieving the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, he added.

The way forward (A green future ahead):

India is inching closer to a green future as the establishment of similar EV chargers at regular intervals of 25-30 km is on the cards.

The network of EV charging stations on the highway will allay range anxiety among Electric Vehicle users and bolster their confidence for inter-city travel.

The Solar EV charging stations are equipped with individual grid-connected rooftop solar plants that will supply green and clean energy to the charging stations.