Bengaluru: While Bescom launched its first electric vehicle charging station at its main office on KR Road on Monday, Energy Minister, D K Shivakumar, who inaugurated it, told reporters the city would have 11 charging stations within three months and more in future.
“People using electric vehicles should use the Bescom charging stations as they are comparatively cheaper when compared to the private charging stations,” he said, adding that it was a constant effort to encourage the public to use electric vehicles to help curb air and noise pollution.
“We look forward to a positive response from the public. A single electric vehicle can be completely charged at these charging stations, in just one- and-a- half hours,” the Minister revealed.
A senior Bescom officer said it was identifying more locations in Indiranagar, BTM Layout, Lingarajpuram, Hebbal Jayanagar for more charging stations, which would be set up within three months.
Explaining that it had fixed temporary rates at the charging station,he said the Karanataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) was looking at the permanent rates it had suggested.
“For now we are charging Rs 75 for every one- and-a- half hour. From 6 am to 10 pm, the charge is Rs 3.85 per unit and from 10 pm to 6 am it is Rs 4. 85 paise per unit. These costs are temporary and will be changed after the KERC fixes the rate,” he said, adding that it cost around Rs 25 lakh to establish an electric charging station.
Bescom is, meanwhile, updating the Mitra app to give information about the location of the charging stations and tell users how many vehicles are in queue.
