In a major step towards promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and reducing pollution, the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (TNGECL) will establish 500 EV charging stations across the state. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to lower carbon emissions in the transport sector.
TNGECL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) to receive technical support for this project. As part of this collaboration, TNGECL and ITDP officials visited Delhi to study the capital’s EV infrastructure model, which includes 2,500 electric buses and plans for 13,000 more by 2030. Delhi’s infrastructure also includes battery swapping systems for two- and three-wheelers.
Dr Aneesh Sekhar, Managing Director of TNGECL, announced that 19 stations—including 10 with battery swapping facilities, will be set up in Chennai. The first phase will also cover 20 charging stations along the Chennai-Coimbatore and Chennai-Kanniyakumari highways. TNGECL is planning EV hubs with amenities such as waiting halls, restaurants, and toilets. Tamil Nadu currently has around 1,300 charging stations. A digital map and an online platform will soon be launched to help EV users and connect landowners with potential station operators.