While on the move, electric vehicle users can identify and book charging slots at the nearest public charging station using their smartphones
In a bid to promote EV adoption in the country, last week President Droupadi Murmu launched the ‘EV Yatra’ web portal and mobile phone application created by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Stating that breathing clean air is a fundamental human right, she said, “It is everyone’s top priority to ensure that future generations breathe clean air, make good progress, and live healthy lives.” As per the list on the Transport Ministry’s E-Vahan portal, India has over 13 lakh in-use EVs as of 14-07-2022.
It is expected that the EV Yatra mobile app (available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store) will make EV usage more convenient, by finding the nearest EV charging station and reserving a charging slot. Reports noted that the mobile application provides real-time information about Public EV Charging Stations such as their GPS coordinates, the type of chargers installed at the station, the availability of charging slots, the current EV charging tariff, the service fee, and any other information. While on the move, EV users can identify and book charging slots at the nearest public charging station using their smartphones.
The official communication indicated that a charging station may have various charger types and tariff charges based on the charger type. “The mobile application is dynamic enough to be updated frequently and will serve as a channel for gathering consumer feedback to continuously improve/upgrade its features,” it further noted.
After the launch of the FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles) initiative in 2015, its upgradation in 2019 (FAME II) and the launch of the Production Linked Incentive for Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage (PLI-ACC Scheme) in 2021, this is yet another step to encourage electric vehicles in India.
Notably, in June this year, NITI Aayog and TIFAC released a report titled ‘Forecasting Penetration of Electric Two-Wheelers in India’. It predicted a 72% penetration of electric two-wheelers by 2031 if the current incentives are removed by 2024. In an optimistic scenario, the report added, their market penetration will reach 100% by FY 2026-27.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was set up by the Government of India in 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act of 2001. With the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy, its mission is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles, within the overall framework of the Act.
