EV Charging Hub in Kolkata That Fast-Charges 25 Vehicles At The Same Time

Courtyard by Marriott Madurai Installs Fast EV Charging Station

West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO) has joined hands with Powerbank for the establishment of charging hub for EVs in Kolkata. The firm maintains that this is the largest public fast charging hub for EVs in the eastern part of India.

Powerbank is a firm that sets up EV charging networks.

The EV hub that has been set up can fast-charge 25 vehicles at the same time. The hub will also be a round-the-clock facility established in New Town, Rajarhat.

“The charging facility through DC ports dispensing 15 kilowatt/hour charge would be available for four-wheelers for now. On an average, a vehicle would take about an hour to get fully charged in this facility. We are, however, planning to soon add slow chargers as well for two-wheelers and three-wheelers,” said Rajneesh Agrawal, CEO, Powerbank.

“Further expansions will allow 50-75 vehicles to enjoy fast charging and slow charging facilities. The public can access these charging facilities in a hassle-free manner through the PowerbankEV charging mobile application,” a company statement read.

Powerbank has said that the new establishment will mostly be used by e-cab firms that are in operation within the city of Kolkata and surrounding areas. “It has been our experience that EV adoption comes naturally from the taxi services segment at first because of the obvious financial benefits that come with a battery-operated vehicle. This hub will now take care of the range anxiety of drivers who previously had to return to their charging stations in the eventuality of unscheduled trips. Private EV owners who have to make unplanned commutes will also benefit from this facility,” Agrawal added.

Two days ago, the Mayor-in-Council of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has passed a proposal according to which the KMC will tie up with Mumbai based Tata Power for the setting up of 40 EV charging stations in Kolkata. The proposal will now be placed before the KMC House in April only for consideration.

S Suresh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Power, West Bengal Government, said that the state plans to install 1,000 EV charging stations within the next two years to promote the use of more environmentally friendly cars.

In October, 2022, West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (WBSEDCL) sought a public-private partnership (PPP) to build EV charging stations to increase e-mobility.