To keep Punjab one step ahead in evolving technology, Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S Bhagwant Mann is mulling setting up a Centre of Excellence (COE) for ramping up Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging infrastructure in the state.
Disclosing this, New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Aman Arora said that he has held deliberations with stakeholder departments including Transport, PWD, Technical Education & Industrial Training, Investment Promotion, Skill Development, Tourism, PSPCL, Housing & Urban Development, and Local Government in this regard.
He directed the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) to tie up with IIT Ropar to set up a Centre of Excellence (COE) for skill development, training, education, standards testing, and enhancement of battery technology, besides asking to form a Working Group of Administrative Secretaries of the State Government for implementation of Electric Vehicles Policy in a smooth & streamlined manner.
Highlighting the need for integration of all stakeholder departments for the implementation of EV policy in the State, Aman Arora informed that the state government will achieve the target of penetration of 25% Electric Vehicles by 2025.
It is the need of the hour to establish an accessible and robust network of EV charging infrastructure for making the transition to e-mobility. This will not only bring the state a step closer to the net-zero mission but will also help in innovating the transportation sector of the country.
Principal Secretary Power Tejveer Singh assured the cabinet minister that PSPCL shall provide full support for fast clearance of electricity connection to proposed EV charging stations in the State.
Chief Executive Officer PEDA Ravi Bhagat said that there is a requirement for integration of EV Charging infrastructure with the addition of renewable energy sources so that the green power can be fed into the EV charging stations to develop robust infrastructure in Punjab.
The new technologies related to the manufacturing of EVs & fast-charging batteries shall be taken up in consultation with IIT Ropar.
CEO PMIDC Isha Kalia said that the COE will act as a bridge to develop a resilient e-charging infrastructure for widespread acceptance of Electric Vehicles in Punjab.
Director PEDA M.P. Singh briefed about the importance of the use of Electric Vehicles and the road map to ramp up the EV Charging Infrastructure in the State.
Chairman PEDA HS Hanspal, Director Technical Education and Industrial Training DPS Kharbanda, Joint Director PEDA Kulbir Singh Sandhu, and Senior Officers from GIZ, Transport, PWD, and Local Govt were also present in the meeting.