Thane: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) will soon start its first-ever network of e-vehicle charging stations in various parts of the city, aiming at benefiting local and tourist vehicles operating on electricity.A total of 19 locations with approximately 100 sqm area have been identified in the first phase across for setting up these stations that will have facility for charging bikes, autos and cars. The operator will have the final say on deciding the number of charging points for each category. The project will be launched with the assistance from a US-based non-profit organisation, Rocky Mountain Institute, that is hand-holding the municipal administration and the operator with the technology and operations. Tenders for the project have been opened and are currently under scrutiny.“The initiative is aimed at catering not only to the increasing number of e-vehicles within the city but also to tourist and transit vehicles. Most charging stations will be located along highways and arterial roads, while a few will be located in the suburbs,” informed an official.The stations will be largely automated and operations app-based, requiring minimal human intervention. Once the charging begins, the systems will automatically cut off at around 90% capacity. A full charge for a four-wheeler is expected to take approximately two to two-and-a-half hours.“The operator will be responsible for securing power connections and is expected to run the stations between 6 am and 10 pm. While extended operating hours are encouraged, the final call rests with the operator. The pricing will be regulated as per govt norms,” officials said.Officials also said that the response to the initial rollout will be assessed before future expansion. “Our focus remains strictly on charging infrastructure and no other provisions for advertising at these locations will be allowed” officials stated.
