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The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
EV charging infrastructure for autos is inadequate
In the last seven months as an autorickshaw driver, Pavithra Prakash has learnt some hard lessons about driving an electric vehicle. 'Once charged, my auto can run for 160 km and I make it a point not to cross 110 km,' says the 29-year-old mother, happy about the financial independence ushered in by her new job. She has 'range anxiety' whenever the three-wheeler crosses that mark as it is usually difficult to find an EV charging station nearby. Even if she were to charge at a public charging point, it would require her to wait for a few hours. 'Once I was left with charge for just 30 km and the vehicle started making alarming sounds, I panicked as my house is located near Red Hills and I just wanted the charge to be sufficient for me to reach home,' says the autorickshaw driver who charges the vehicle at her home. Pavithra's husband, who has an auto running on compressed natural gas, encouraged her to opt for an electric vehicle for the ease it would offer the young driver who learnt driving skills from Association of Non-Traditional Employment for Women (ANEW) in Anna Nagar. 'On days when I get many rides I am forced to wind up by 2 p.m. as the vehicle does not have charge. I sometimes refuse long-distance trips fearing the situation that would manifest if I run out of charge,' says Pavithra. Anxious if the battery will drain out, autorickshaw driver R. Shanthalakshmi only takes shorts trips in and around Palavakkam where she resides. 'When I purchased the vehicle from a showroom in Tambaram, they told me there are public charging stations I could use, but in the five months since I have been driving this vehicle I have not discovered even one, so I charge the vehicle every night at home,' says Shanthalakshmi, who is content earning ₹1000 to ₹1500 a day ferrying people. Her income as an autodriver is supplemented by earnings from petty shops she runs near her home. Showrooms retailing three-wheelers say the demand for electric vehicles is noticeably greater than what it was last year. In March this year, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin handed over 50 electric autos to women members of urban self-help groups under the Environment and Climate Change Department to empower them to be financially independent while promoting sustainable mobility. 'Unlike public charging stations for two-and-four-wheelers, there is no such facility for autorickshaws. Some showrooms selling the vehicles make provision for charging outside their store,' says R. Ashwanth, manager, Rag Motors. He says there are two variants in three-wheelers: one has 125 - 150 km range and the other 200-250 km, a majority go in for the latter and are happy as their everyday travel is usually covered by that range. Those in the industry say public charging infrastructure should keep pace with electric vehicle sales. Giving subsidy to vendors will also encourage establishment of more facilities. No standardisation Ragavendra Ravichandran, co-founder and chief operating officer, Plugzmart, agrees the charging infrastructure for three-wheelers is yet to pick up. The chargers currently used by electric autos have not been standardised. 'For electric four-wheelers, there is broad standardisation among major brands when it comes to charging interfaces. AC chargers typically use the Type 2 connector, and DC fast chargers commonly use the CCS2 (Combined Charging System) connector. This allows vehicle owners to access public charging infrastructure with a standardised plug wherever they go. However, this level of standardization does not yet exist for electric three-wheelers Many manufacturers use proprietary connectors leading to compatibility issues and a lack of universal public charging access,' says Ragavendra. Electric autos used for transporting goods go to warehouses for charging; and those used for ferrying people are dependent on public charging stations or homes, he says. Is it okay to charge an electric vehicle at home? Yes, but it may not be as fast as a public infrastructure point. Many prefer to charge vehicles at home for the convenience it brings. A Tangedo official says so far there is no restriction on charging electric vehicles at home for domestic use, but if a petty shop is offering it at a fee to users then they must have a separate meter with commercial tariff.
Hans India
05-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Odisha CM raises alarm over growing menace of plastic pollution
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday raised alarm over the escalating menace of plastic pollution in the state. While addressing the World Environment Day celebration in Bhubaneswar, CM Majhi stated that the unbridled use of plastic poses a triple threat- climate change, loss of biodiversity, and affects the ecosystems with pollution and waste. He called for a mass movement to eliminate plastic use from everyday life. On tackling pollution, the Chief Minister underlined the state's firm stance against single-use plastic. "We've banned single-use plastic and are actively promoting long-term sustainable alternatives. Waste management systems are being strengthened to ensure a cleaner and greener future," CM Majhi added. He also highlighted that the state government has launched the Clean Air Programme to reduce air pollution in densely populated urban areas and improve overall air quality. The Chief Minister also announced that the Odisha government will undertake the plantation of 7.5 crore trees this year as part of its aggressive green initiative. He noted that Odisha has seen a net increase of 560 square kilometres in forest cover, ranking fourth among all Indian states. "This achievement is a testament to our collective effort. Through the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, we've already planted over 6 crore saplings," he said. The Chief Minister stated that Similipal was recently designated as the 107th National Park by the Union Government. Under the 'Ama Similipal' scheme, the government has earmarked Rs 50 crore for enhanced protection of wildlife and biodiversity in the region. Meanwhile, speaking to media persons, Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, informed that the state will soon introduce Reverse vending machines (RVMs) for plastic waste collection in major urban centres. Sahu stated that seven cities across Odisha will also see the launch of a new Clean City Pilot Programme to intensify urban sanitation and waste segregation. He also stressed that single-use plastic continues to be a serious threat, and enforcement will be strengthened to strictly regulate its usage, especially during mass gatherings, picnics, and tourist seasons. "Plastic pollution is silently choking our environment. We urge citizens, institutions, and vendors to shift to eco-friendly alternatives. Enforcement will be tighter this year," warned Sahu.
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Business Standard
04-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Drive against plastic: Cloth bag machine to be installed at secretariat
The Maharashtra government is planning to set up a cloth bag vending machine at Mantralaya (state secretariat) here in its drive against single-use plastics ahead of the World Environment Day on Thursday, an official said. All departments at the secretariat have been asked to collect and deposit the single-use plastic items at their offices as part of the drive, he said. The state Environment and Climate Change Department is planning to install the cloth bag vending machine at the secretariat on Thursday as a demonstration for daily visitors, the official said. It issued an order on Tuesday, asking all the departments to deposit the single-use plastic items in their offices at the Trimurti location in the Mantralaya. The environment department has already installed cloth bag vending machines at prominent locations, including the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple in Pune and a temple at Parli Vaijanath in Beed district. These machines dispense eco-friendly cloth bags for Rs 10, encouraging sustainable alternatives to plastic bags, which pose significant environmental concerns. At the inauguration of the facility in Pune last month, state Environment Minister Pankaja Munde stressed the importance of raising awareness about plastic-free alternatives. "Religious sites see an extensive use of plastic bags. By adopting options like these cloth bag vending machines, we can significantly contribute to environmental conservation," she said, commending the Dagdusheth Trust for its support.
