Ludhiana: The municipal corporation (MCL) has moved to bolster the city’s green energy infrastructure, floating a tender to establish 50 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under a 10-year public-private partnership.With EVs now accounting for 6% of local registrations, the civic body is betting on a “user-pays” revenue model to fuel the city’s shift toward a carbon-neutral transport hub. The strategic rollout, designed to meet the demands of a high-traffic industrial centre, promises a digital-first experience for drivers while securing a steady stream of “per-unit” revenue for the municipal coffers. In a bid to ensure operational reliability and alignment with public sector standards, the project is open exclusively to Central and state public-sector undertakings (PSUs).A Strategic Shift to Clean MobilityLudhiana is witnessing a rapid surge in clean energy transport, and even with the growth where EV registrations now account for nearly 6% of the city’s total vehicle fleet, the current charging network remains sparse. “Ludhiana is a high-traffic strategic hub,” an MCL official said. “The current infrastructure is limited compared to the growing demand for electric cars, two-wheelers, and commercial vehicles.”The selected PSU will be responsible for the end-to-end execution of the network, including technical deployment, digital integration, safety, and resilience. The work includes installation of compatible AC and DC chargers and modular battery-swapping points. All stations must feature RFID or QR code authentication, mobile app connectivity for bookings, and integrated digital payment systems. Each site will be equipped with weatherproof enclosures, fire safety provisions, CCTV surveillance, and “waterlogging-proof” drainage systems certified by the MC.The civic body will facilitate the project by providing land allocations and coordinating with power distribution companies to ensure stable energy supply.The project is designed to be a self-sustaining revenue model for the civic body. The MC will receive a minimum of a rupee for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy dispensed. Additionally, there will be space premiums and advertising rights. If a bidder requires space exceeding three equivalent car spaces (ECS), a monthly levy of Rs 2,000 rupees for each extra ECS will apply. The concessionaire may sell advertising and branding space at the charging hubs, with the resulting revenue split 50-50 between the firm and the MC.Future-Proofing the CityExecutive engineer Raman Kaushal has confirmed that the request for proposal (RFP) has been floated officially. “It will be a significant step forward for the city to have these stations operational,” he said. Beyond simple charging, the hubs are expected to feature advanced technology, including IoT-enabled battery locker systems and solar-integrated roofs where feasible, tapping into central govt incentives designed to promote EV adoption. MSID:: 128783492 413 |
