In a push towards green mobility, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had launched a project to establish public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city. However, even after two years of implementation, the initiative is facing challenges as commuter response remains low.
The initiative was undertaken under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, where charging stations were planned at 82 locations, including office premises, parking lots, gardens, museums, auditoriums, and crematoriums. Out of the 82 planned stations, only 40 have been set up so far due to delays in approvals and infrastructural hurdles. The usage of the existing 40 stations is very limited, causing heavy losses to the contractor and the civic body.
4000 electric four-wheelers and 3L two-wheelers in city
According to data by PMC, Pune has registered over 4,000 electric four-wheelers and nearly 3 lakh two-wheelers. E-buses have also been added to PMPML’s fleet, increasing the number of E-vehicles in the city. But despite the increase in E-vehicles, footfall at charging stations remains low.
“Necessary improvements will be made by reviewing charging rates and services,” said Manisha Shekatkar, Chief Engineer of the Municipal Electricity Department. She emphasized the need to revise pricing and facilities.
In May 2023, PMC awarded the tenders to Marine Electricals Pvt. Ltd. to install and operate the stations. As per the agreement, the company is liable to bear all costs for infrastructure, electricity, and security, while PMC provides the land. Charging rates at these stations range from ₹13 to ₹19 per unit, with fast charging costing up to ₹25 per unit. Home charging, by comparison, costs only ₹6–₹7 per unit, making it the preferred choice for two-wheeler owners.
Most EV two-wheelers offer a range of up to 100 km per charge, which suits daily commuting needs. Hence, users often opt to charge at home overnight, avoiding the higher costs and inconvenience of public stations. These facilities are now mainly used only in emergencies.
In the last nine months, PMC has earned ₹19.92 lakh from these stations, indicating the contractor’s profit at around ₹39.54 lakh, of which 50% is shared with the civic body. The average monthly income remains significantly below projections.
With the low response, officials are now reconsidering their approach to make public EV charging more viable and attractive for Pune's growing electric vehicle population.
