Thane to get 50 charging stations for e-vehicles by October

Thanekars who want to buy electric vehicles may be able to do so in a few months, with the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) set to start 50 charging stations for e-vehicles in the city by October 2018. Thane RTO said this would go a long way in encouraging people to switch to e-vehicles.

After the TMC took the eco-friendly decision to induct 100 electric buses in the Thane Municipal Transport's (TMT) fleet, the civic body is in the process of starting the charging stations in the city. "To check increasing pollution in the city, the TMC has taken the decision to start these charging stations in phases," said Sandip Malvi, TMC public relations officer and TMT manager.

In the first phase, 50 charging stations would be MADE operational by October 2018. They will fuel not only TMT's electric buses but also the electric vehicles of residents. "Like petrol pumps, these stations will be functional at various places in Thane for two- and three-wheelers. This will encourage Thanekars to buy more eco-friendly vehicles and help curb the pollution," says Malvi.

The stations will be funded and built by a global body called International Finance Corporation under TMC'S eco-city project.

As per Thane regional transport office, there are only two electric vehicles in the city which are auto rickshaws. One is used by the TMC and the other by a private individual. "People do not buy electric vehicles because they do not know where to charge them. These charging stations will definitely offer a viable solution to environment-friendly Thanekars," says Nandkishore Naik, deputy RTO, Thane.