Delhi-Chandigarh is India’s first EV friendly highway, courtesy BHEL

New Delhi: The Delhi-Chandigarh Highway has become the first e-vehicle friendly highway in the country, with a network of solar-based Electric Vehicle Charging stations (SEVCs) set up by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) under the FAME-1 [Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) & Electric Vehicles in India] scheme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

The state-of-the-art charging station at Karna Lake Resort was remotely inaugurated by Union Minister of Heavy Industries Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey in the presence of MHI's Secretary Arun Goel. BHEL's Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) Dr Nalin Shinghal and other senior officials of MHI and BHEL were also present on the occasion.

"The PM has clearly highlighted that environment security has the same importance as national security and that India is making all efforts towards becoming energy independent," Minister Dr Pandey said on the occasion. "India is a vibrant voice of environmental security which comprises climate change, energy conservation, clean energy transition efforts, etc. and the nation's efforts in the environment have started giving desired results", he added. 

The EV charging station at Karna lake resort is strategically located at the midpoint of Delhi-Chandigarh highway and is equipped to cater to all types of E-cars plying currently in the country. The establishment of similar EV chargers at regular intervals of 25-30 km. on the highway will allay range anxiety among Electric Vehicle 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.

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