Delhi-Chandigarh becomes first EV-friendly NH stretch

The Delhi-Chandigarh Highway has become the country's first EV-friendly highway with a network of solar-based electric vehicle charging stations. The network of stations has been set up by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) under the FAME-1 (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles scheme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

Union Minister of Heavy Industries (MHI), Mahendra Nath Pandey, has inaugurated the state-of-the-art charging station at Karna Lake Resort which is strategically located at the midpoint of the highway. It will cater to all types of e-cars currently in the country and BHEL is working on upgrading other charging stations on this highway by this year. The setting up of similar EV chargers at regular intervals of 25-30 kms on the highway will do away with the anxiety of EV users and bolster their confidence for inter-city travel. The SEVC stations are equipped with individual grid-connected rooftop solar plants that will supply green and clean energy to the charging stations.