Mescom to construct 1,000 EV charging points in next 5 years

Team Udayavani, Jun 19, 2023, 11:02 AM IST

Mangaluru: In the backdrop of the rising number of electric vehicles, power distribution company, Mescom, has announced plans to build 1,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points within its limits over the next five years.

In the initial phase, Mescom will construct 195 charging centers in partnership with private entities under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. These centers will be built in Dakshina Kannada., Shivamogga, and Chikkamagaluru districts, with the exception of Udupi district, where a new tender will be called as it remains unclaimed.

Mescom has strategically chosen locations for these charging points, focusing on areas where drivers can also utilize their charging time for rest or leisure activities. As many as 32 sites owned by Mescom and 48 additional locations on government lands have been identified for building the vehicle charging infrastructure.

Currently, there are 61 EV charging stations operational in the Mescom region, with 17 in D.K. district (including 3 in Mangaluru), 12 in Udupi, 17 in Shivamogga, and 12 in Chikkamagaluru. These stations are equipped with Type-1 charging points of 3kWh capacity, which are slow charging and suitable for autos and two-wheelers.

However, the newly constructed stations will also provide high-capacity charging points suitable for cars.

H.G. Ramesh, the Managing Director (in charge) of Mescom, said that Mescom has reduced the EV charging fee by 50 paise per unit in an effort to promote environmentally friendly vehicles. Previously priced at Rs 5 per unit, the new base fee has been lowered to Rs 4.50 per unit making it more affordable for EV owners.

He further expressed the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable transportation. The target of constructing 1,000 charging stations in the next five years will be accomplished in a phased manner, ensuring widespread accessibility for EV owners.