APSRTC to set up solar plants at RTC bus station, EV charging station

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) plans to install solar power plants at Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus stations and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, besides providing electric bikes to its employees.

Overall, 7,000 electric bikes will be provided to RTC employees in NTR and Krishna districts on an experimental basis.

Managing Director of APSRTC, Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, held a meeting with officials of the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) and discussed the possibilities of setting up solar power plants and EV charging stations at RTC bus stations.

An official told the media that as per the e-mobility policy, the state government aims to phase out all the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in four major cities, including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati, by 2024 and in all other cities of the state by 2030.

NREDCAP will provide EVs with a four-year warranty to RTC employees. The companies will provide EVs with quality batteries, recognised by NREDCAP.

The official said that the price of an EV is above Rs 1 lakh, and the RTC employees need not pay any down payment for the e-bike.

The supplier or the manufacturer will offer financing options. The EMI will be deducted from the salary of employees. The monthly instalment will range from Rs 2,000 to 2,500. Based on the financial position of the employee, EMIs from Rs 24 to 60 would be offered.

The electric bikes can travel 40-100 km on a single charge. The range varies depending on the model of vehicle selected by the employees. The minimum speed of the vehicle is 25 kmph, and the maximum of 100 kmph.

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