Panasonic, a global technology company has collaborated with BSES Yamuna Power Limited to set up an electric vehicle charging station at their New Delhi head office.

This pilot facility will study the charging behavior and pattern, real-time charging data, app-based control, and automated payment mechanism.

The charging station is built in compliance with Bharat EV AC 001 standards and is equipped with 10 kW power and can charge up to three electric vehicles simultaneously. It also reduces the charge time for lithium-ion battery-powered electric vehicles as it is almost three times faster than the conventional Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries.

“With the government giving impetus to the adoption of electric vehicles and aiming to switch to all-electric cars until 2030, it is essential to contribute meaningfully to the initiative. As a diversified technology company, we will continue to introduce products that can help achieve this goal,” said Manish Sharma, CEO of Panasonic India.

Panasonic aims to set up more charging stations in the future and partner with more DISCOMs.

“It is proactively involved in the new developments in the energy space such as electric vehicles and it gives us immense pleasure to associate with Panasonic, which shares our objective of promoting the use of electric vehicles. This association is a step towards the larger goal of making efforts for sustainable development,” said BSES spokesperson.

In December 2018, the Ministry of Power announced guidelines and standards for the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in India. As per the guidelines, private charging stations would be permitted at residences, and DISCOMs would facilitate it.

Recently, Mercom has reported that the Town and Country Planning Organization, Ministry of Housing, and Ministry of Urban Affairs have released amendments to Model Building By-Laws to provide for electric vehicle charging infrastructure for residential and other buildings (including group housing building).

According to the amendments, any charging station installed at public or private area or building premises of any category that caters to commercial mode of charging of EVs will be deemed as a “Public Charging Station” and will have to install the minimum requirements of chargers as specified in the guidelines dated 14.12.2018 issued by the Ministry of Power.

With Government’s impetus on electric vehicles, announcements for charging tenders have ramped up in India and t his could just be the beginning.

Nitin is a staff reporter at Mercomindia.com and writes on renewable energy and related sectors. Prior to Mercom, Nitin has worked for CNN IBN, India News, Agricultural Spectrum and Bureaucracy Today. He received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University and Master’s degree in International Relations from Jindal School of International Affairs. More articles from Nitin Kabeer