EESL will issue a fresh tender tomorrow for procuring additional 10,000 electric cars,” minister of
New Delhi: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) will float another global tender for 10,000 electric vehicles tomorrow after aggregating demand from different parts of the country for the government’s electric mobility programme. The power ministry will also soon issue the policy and regulatory framework for setting up charging stations. “The demand for e-vehicles is constantly rising across various departments of the union and state governments. To cater to the growing demand, EESL will issue a fresh tender tomorrow for procuring additional 10,000 electric cars,” minister of state for power R.K Singh told reporters at the launch of national e-mobility programme here on Wednesday. EESL has aggregated demand from different parts of the country, Saurabh Kumar, managing director of EESL said. The company has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Andhra Pradesh government to supply 10,000 electric cars to the state. EESL, which is a joint venture of PSUs under the power ministry, will sign another MoU with Gujarat government next week for 8,000 electric cars, Kumar added. ET reported on February 19 about EESL’s plan on floating a fresh tender after it closed the first tender for 10,000 electric vehicles it had issued in August last year. The Power minister added that his ministry has decided to categorise setting up of charging station as a service and not a commercial activity. The ministry plans to cap the cost of electricity to the charging station from discoms at cost of supply plus 15% margin. The technical and commercial losses will be deducted from the tariff. Electricity to the charging stations is likely to cost about Rs 6 per unit in most states, said another power ministry official. Power secretary Ajay Bhalla said necessary amendments are likely to be made in the national tariff policy for facilitating set up of charging stations in the country. “We are the largest market for electric vehicles outside of China. I invite the industry to come and set up manufacturing for electric cars and batteries. Those who come early will get a head start in the market,” Singh added.
