Kolkata Gears Up for Green Energy with EV Infrastructure
CESC (Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation) has unveiled plans to develop electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and battery storage systems across the city and the state of West Bengal. This announcement, The managing director of CESC (distribution), signals the company’s commitment to promoting sustainability and innovation in the region’s energy sector. The initiative is expected to play a key role in the state’s transition to cleaner, greener energy solutions, aligning with global trends towards electrification and carbon reduction.
CESC’s push into EV infrastructure comes as part of a broader effort to integrate sustainable practices within the city’s transportation and energy sectors. During a recent meeting with a UK delegation consisting of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the electric vehicle sector, he expressed interest in partnering with UK-based firms to bring advanced solutions to Kolkata. The UK delegation included prominent companies such as Aegis Energy, Allye, Dock-y, Powerup, Hypermotive, and Hodos Media, all of which specialise in areas critical to the EV ecosystem, such as battery storage, fleet telematics, artificial intelligence, and the manufacturing of EV components. he noted that, as electricity is a regulated industry in India, CESC would first focus on collaborating with these companies on a proof of concept to demonstrate the viability of EV infrastructure in Kolkata. The company is already running a pilot project with fleet operators to test the feasibility of EVs and hopes to expand this initiative should the pilot prove successful. “We are committed to promoting electric vehicles for a sustainable future, and the collaboration with UK firms will help us develop robust charging infrastructure in the region,” he said.
The UK delegation’s visit to Kolkata is part of the “Unlocking the Value Chain of EVs and Micromobility” project, a partnership facilitated by Connected Places Catapult and supported by Global Business Inroads, in association with the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The project aims to unlock the potential of electric mobility by forging new collaborations and facilitating knowledge transfer between the UK and India.
Director of Government and Global Engagement at Connected Places Catapult, emphasised the importance of the delegation’s visit. “We have been working closely with stakeholders in Kolkata for the past two years, and we are excited about the potential for collaboration in the EV sector,” she said. Added that the project aligns with both countries’ goals of fostering a sustainable, low-carbon future. Among the key representatives of the UK firms, Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to East and Northeast India, highlighted the shared vision of the UK and Bengal towards a more sustainable future. “This EV delegation marks a crucial step forward in advancing EV innovation and strengthening our partnerships,” he said.
The potential for EV infrastructure in Kolkata is vast, given the city’s growing population and increasing demand for sustainable transportation solutions. co-founder and technical director of Powerup, voiced his company’s interest in replacing traditional generators with power stations for electric vehicles, while Adam Huckstep, CEO of Hypermotive, spoke about his company’s focus on integrating electric and fuel-cell systems, aiming to share their expertise with Bengal’s emerging EV sector. With CESC’s involvement in the EV project, Kolkata may soon witness a transformation in its energy and transportation landscape. The collaboration between local authorities, the private sector, and international firms could pave the way for a more sustainable, green future for the city, driving both technological innovation and environmental responsibility. While still in its early stages, the move underscores Kolkata’s commitment to adopting green energy solutions and advancing toward a low-carbon economy, benefiting residents, industries, and the planet alike
