Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday directed oil companies to establish electrical vehicle (EV) charging points at all fuel stations in the state to increase the use of EVs.
He held a meeting with representatives of oil companies to promote green energy. “Where there is a fuel station oil companies should install EV charging points. The government will support the oil companies,” Sawant said. “There was an issue regarding the price for charging vehicles. We have resolved the same. They will take more than the government charging rates, but it will be equivalent to the rate in other states.”
Sawant said the decisions taken at the meeting will encourage more private sector companies to set up EV charging infrastructure in the state.
Recently, Tata Power, which already has 50 EV charging points in the state, unveiled plans to add at least 100 EV chargers in Goa in the coming year. It also aims to install charging stations along all national highways that connect to Goa to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles. The company is working with the state government with the thrust on green energy.
In December 2021, the state government launched the Goa Electric Vehicle (EV) Concessional Charging Infrastructure Policy to install charging stations at 50 locations identified by it. The state-appointed the Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) as the authority to issue permissions for installing charging stations on public and private properties.
As per the policy, notified in December 2021, revenue generated will be shared with the GEDA on a 50:50 basis. Of the GEDA’s charges, 20% will be shared with the land owner while the remaining 80% will go into the Goa Decarbonisation Fund.
A senior officer said that the adoption of electric vehicles for daily commute is essential for a wide range of goals, including better air quality, reduced noise pollution, enhanced energy security, along with lower carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.
“With vehicle pollution being a constant source of reduced air quality within the state, rapid adoption of zero-emission vehicles is of great importance,” the officer said.
