Private operators to run 200 EV charging stations in Hyderabad | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: Electric vehicle users across Hyderabad could get a wider public charging network, with the Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TGREDCO) set to hand over 200 public EV charging stations in the city to private operators.According to TGREDCO, operators will have to charge users at the TGREDCO-notified tariff, currently ₹13 per kWh, excluding applicable taxes. Operators cannot independently increase or alter the consumer charge. However, TGREDCO will revise the notified tariff in future.TGREDCO has invited charge point operators (CPOs) to take up operation, maintenance, upgradation and commercial management of the stations for an initial 10-year period.95% uptime mandatoryOne of the most important conditions is the requirement for chargers to remain functional. Operators have to maintain a minimum 95% uptime for every charging station every month. If a charger remains unavailable beyond the permissible downtime, the operator will face a penalty of ₹500 per charger per day.Officials said that operators are responsible for 24-hour customer support and grievance redressal. Complaints relating to charging sessions, payment failures, refunds and charger malfunction have to be addressed within the timelines prescribed by TGREDCO.Operators must also maintain helpline numbers, complaint registers and customer information boards at the stations. All stations are required to remain available on TGREDCO’s TGEV mobile application, allowing users to access charging services through the platform.“The selected agencies will have to take responsibility for repairs, replacement of defective chargers, charging guns, cables and other associated infrastructure. They will also have to maintain payment gateways, QR codes and RFID systems. The stations cannot be removed or deactivated from the TGEV platform at the operator’s discretion,” said an official in TGREDCO.Safety and security of the charging stations and associated assets will also be the responsibility of the operators. In case of theft, fire, electrical damage, pilferage or other losses, the operator will have to initiate the insurance claim and lodge an FIR with the local police wherever required.Basic amenities have to be maintained at all these stations including weather-protected canopies, dedicated EV parking bays, seating areas, waste bins, safety barriers, fire safety equipment and accessibility features for persons with disabilities.
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