What is being termed as the first-of-its-kind solar-integrated EV charging station, powered by second-life batteries, in India, was inaugurated near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on June 2.

Energy Minister K. J. George, who inaugurated the facility, said that this is the first EV station in India to be powered by second-life batteries.

Energy Minister K. J. George, who inaugurated the facility near KIA-Bengaluru on June 2, said that this is the first EV station in India to be powered by second-life batteries.

“This large-scale EV charging hub, developed through a partnership between Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), can charge 23 vehicles simultaneously. At this station, solar energy is stored in old car batteries. Solar power generated during the day is stored using this battery system, and supplied to electric vehicles round-the-clock,” he explained.

The hub includes a 45 kilowatt (KW) solar power system and 100 KWH second-life battery storage capacity. It has 18 fast-charging points and five slow-charging ones.

“This is the first charging station in the country to provide 24/7 EV charging facilities,” said N. Shivashankar, Managing Director, Bescom.

The Energy Minister said that the government is fully committed to support the growing demand for EVs in Karnataka, and expanding charging stations and related infrastructure. “Karnataka’s EV policy further strengthens this commitment. The newly-inaugurated EV charging station will greatly benefit cab drivers and the general public using electric vehicles,” he said.

The charging station, which was awaiting inauguration for almost a year now, has been operational for the last few months.