1 week Ago
State-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) along with Japan-based Terra Charge will install electric vehicles (EVs) charging infrastructure at four more international airports to support the availability of green transport options for passengers in the city-side area. Notably, the infrastructure will provide convenient charging options for EVs parked at airports. At present, India has around 25,000 EV charging stations across the country.
Speaking to businessline, Terra Charge’s Managing Director Go Suzuki, said the one-of-a-kind partnership with the airport developer-cum-operator is in line with the company’s goal to collaborate with public entities to support India’s EV charging infrastructure. “The plan advances our mission of enhancing public access to efficient and convenient charging solutions,” Suzuki told businessline . “We are currently working on four more similar projects that are in the pipeline and expected to be completed soon,” he said without disclosing further details.
According to Suzuki, Terra Charge expects the initiative to benefit not just EV owners but also the airport and general public. “The increased foot traffic and sustainable initiative will further benefit the airport operator by building their reputation and enhancing their public amenities,” Suzuki said. “This initiative could encourage more private entities and public bodies to join hands and develop advanced charging solutions for the public and foster employment.
” Last year, Terra Charge launched a 75-square-meter charging hub at AAI’s Raja Bhoj International Airport located in Bhopal. The charging hub at Bhopal airport features one slow and one fast charger to cater to varying charging needs and make EV charging accessible to the public. Suzuki added that the charging hub at the Raja Bhoj International Airport helps to enhance EV charging accessibility for visitors and encourage a broader adoption of EVs among visitors.
The trend of setting up EV charging infrastructure at city and airside of India’s airports is on the rise across the country, said official sources adding that both private and public players are in the process of erecting such facilities. To give a further boost to this trend is the Centre’s plan to come out with a play to provide subsidies under the PM E-drive scheme to support EV adoption at airports. These subsidies will also support the erection of EV charging infrastructure at airports.
In general, the PM E-drive scheme with a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore has earmarked Rs 2,000 crore for the setting up of public EV charging stations within the next two years. This infrastructure is expected to come up at the airside as well as to charge the ground support equipment (GSE) at various airports. Accordingly, the GSE fleet, which is expected to be electrified at the airside, includes aircraft tugs, refuellers, passengers, and cargo transport vehicles, amongst others.
“A few directives have already been issued to airports in this regard, and progress has been witnessed at few places,” sources told businessline. “The main problem faced by the sector is the high upfront cost as well as supply-side constraints on procuring such equipment.” Comments.
