Plug-in, charge, move

Power firm to offer free charging ports to electric car owners

Power firm to offer free charging ports to electric car owners

Even as negotiators in Copenhagen are spending sleepless nights over an acceptable draft for regulations to control climate change, a small yet effective change was witnessed in Delhi.

Environment-friendly: The first free charging port for electric cars was inaugurated near the Hasanpur DTC depot at IP Extension

Power company BSES Yamuna Power Limited, in a unique initiative to encourage use of environment-friendly electric cars, has decided to provide free charging facility at various locations in east and central Delhi.

The first charging port was inaugurated near the Hasanpur DTC depot in IP Extension in east Delhi on Monday.

The ports will be installed as a part of an agreement reached between power utility BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) and Reva, makers of electric cars.

"Delhi registers the highest number of cars and their per capita usage in India. I sincerely hope that with the increasing popularity of less polluting electric vehicles, it is only a matter of time that the environment conscious Delhiites reduce their carbon footprint and switch to greener modes of transport. This will also help make the ambient quality of air better", said Ramesh Narayanan, CEO, BYPL.

For choosing the locations of the free charging ports BYPL has done an extensive survey of the customer data of electric vehicle users, a company official said.

"Over the next few months, more of these charging facilities will be installed at conveniently located BYPL premises. A similar initiative will also be rolled out in BSES Rajdhani Power Limited areas of South and West Delhi," he said. The company also intends to extend such facility for electric two-wheelers.

The official added that the initiative could be seen as part of efforts for promoting the 2010 Commonwealth Games as "Green Games".

Range and charging time for Reva cars

Model	Range per charge km (miles)	Time to charge (hrs)
NXR City	80 (50)	8
NXR Intercity	160 (100)	8

(1.5 with fast charge)

About Reva

REVA electric cars are Born Green. Not just zero emission, the REVA NXR and NXG will have one of the lowest embedded carbon footprints and one of the lowest dust-to-dirt carbon footprints of any car in mass production. REVA cars have been designed to use approximately 80% fewer parts than a conventional or hybrid car. They will be assembled using tools powered by solar energy and cleaned using harvested rainwater.