MAPUSA
As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) grows steadily in Goa, the State government has intensified efforts to expand the network of charging stations across the region.
Despite these strides, the expansion may still fall short of what’s necessary to support the increasing number of EV users in the State.
Currently, Goa is home to 38 electric vehicle charging stations, a modest number that is scattered across various locations.
Among these, three are located at the Patto complex in Panaji, one at the Assembly complex in Porvorim, with the rest distributed across different parts of the State.
Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar announced that the government has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the supply, installation, and commissioning of additional EV charging stations.
This initiative is being undertaken under the Fame-II guidelines, following a Design, Build, Operate, Finance, and Transfer (DBOFT) model. The EOI seeks to cover 40 new locations across Goa, with the process being conducted through the e-procurement mode.
“Out of the 40 proposed locations, 10 locations in Panaji have been awarded to Jio BP. Additionally, Imagine Smart City Corporation has assigned Jio BP to install 30 more EV chargers, bringing the total to 40 new charging stations in Panaji alone,” Dhavalikar disclosed during a reply to an unstarred question in the recently concluded Assembly session.
The expansion is not limited to Jio BP. The Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has also allocated various other locations to public sector undertakings (PSUs) for the installation of EV charging stations.
Notably, MAHAPRIET has been allocated 10 locations, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has received 5 locations, and Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) has been assigned 15 locations across the State.
Despite these efforts, sources within the Transport Department have raised concerns that the current pace of infrastructure development might not be sufficient to meet the rising demand.
Nearly 90 per cent of the electric vehicles in Goa are privately owned, indicating a strong consumer interest in transitioning to electric mobility.
However, the availability of public charging stations remains a critical factor in encouraging more people to make the switch.
The Goa government continues to offer special incentives to promote the purchase of EVs. However, officials stress that further expansion of the public charging infrastructure is essential for fostering a more widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the State.
As Goa continues its journey towards becoming a greener State, the challenge of balancing EV adoption with the necessary infrastructure remains a crucial aspect of the transition.
The government’s current initiatives, though commendable, may need to be scaled up further to ensure that the State is fully equipped to support its growing community of electric vehicle users.
