The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has announced a proposal to make electric vehicle (EV) charging stations mandatory in the blueprints of all new buildings in the city. This initiative aligns with the Union Government’s ambitious vision of bolstering electric mobility across India.
The AMC’s proactive approach aims to ensure that all future construction projects incorporate EV charging facilities, thus addressing the growing need for sustainable infrastructure. As part of this comprehensive plan, AMC is collaborating with private entities to establish EV charging stations at 81 strategic locations throughout Ahmedabad. These include areas under flyovers, Kankaria Kids City, and Navrangpura Multi-Level Parking. Currently, there are already 15 EV charging stations operational within AMC-owned premises.
This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the adoption of electric vehicles in the city. According to government data, as of mid-November 2023, the share of electric vehicles in total vehicle sales remains below 1%. However, the government has set an ambitious target to increase this share to 30% by 2030. Specific targets set by NITI Aayog include 30% of private cars, 70% of commercial cars, 70% of buses, and 100% of two and three-wheelers to be electric by the end of the decade.
In a pioneering partnership forged in 2019, AMC joined hands with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to install EV charging stations across urban areas for a period of ten years. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement aims to set up a total of 100 EV charging stations in Ahmedabad, further solidifying the city’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility.
By making EV charging stations a mandatory feature in new constructions, the AMC is not only facilitating a smoother transition to electric vehicles but also ensuring that the city’s infrastructure keeps pace with the evolving demands of urban transportation. This initiative is expected to significantly contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and promote the use of cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
As the city gears up to meet the future of transportation, the integration of EV charging stations in new buildings marks a pivotal step in Ahmedabad’s journey towards becoming a greener, more environmentally friendly metropolis. The AMC’s foresight and strategic planning are poised to set a benchmark for other cities to follow, thereby reinforcing the national objective of a cleaner, greener India.
