Metro stations in Hyderabad will soon double up as charging stations for electric vehicles. As per latest development the first electric vehicle (EV) charging station will come up at Miyapur Metro Rail station. The facility is likely to be set up within two weeks and similar services will be started across all Hyderabad Metro stations.
The development is part of the tripartite agreement signed between L&T, Power Grid and HMRL for setting up EV charging facilities across all the metros in Hyderabad. The Miyapur Metro EV charging station will be the first ever in the country.
As per initial information, a car will take around 45 minutes to charge. A scooter on the other hand will take up to three hours or more to charge. In the initial stages the metro station will offer three charging points. The cost to avail the service is worked out and will soon be shared. On technical terms, the time taken for charging a vehicle will depend upon the ‘C’ rating of the vehicle.
N.V.S. Reddy, managing director of HMRL shared that this is the first such initiative in India. He further added that the cost of charging will be lesser compared to refuelling petrol or diesel. As part of the agreement, HMRL is offering land for setting up EV charging station and Powergrid is setting up the entire facility.
Powergrid will be bearing the cost of setting up EV charging facilities. It would over a period of time recover the cost. The officials at Powergrid are also in talks with Delhi Metro and Chennai Metro officials to set up similar facilities at their metro stations as well.
In order to ensure smooth functioning, Reddy shared that they will work on having Smart Parking station partner. As per the plan, EV charging will be connected to Smart Parking lots and commuters can book the charging slot via app. The user can book a slot using the app. The parking too will be integrated with command control centre as well police control too.
To help commuters save time, HMRL is mulling on offering battery swapping facility. People will not have to leave their vehicle on charging points, instead swap batteries and move on.
Reddy also informed that Hyderabad Metro service from Ameerpet to LB Nagar will commence in August and on the Ameerpet-Hitec City leg in October. Currently the test run is on for Ameerpet to LB Nagar and is likely to get over by July end. He said that exclusive numbers are being given to Hyderabad Metro Rail pillars and Corridors 1, 2, 3 will be given A,B,C numbers correspondingly.
