Pune News: PCMC To Issue Fresh Tender For EV Charging StationsÂ
Pune News: PCMC To Issue Fresh Tender For EV Charging Stations
Pimpri-Chinchwad: After four unsuccessful attempts, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is set to float a new tender to establish electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city. Despite multiple efforts over the past two years, the civic body has struggled to attract bidders for the project.
PCMC had initially planned to install charging stations at 22 locations but failed to secure a reliable contractor. Last year, a Delhi-based company was awarded the contract, but it failed to begin the work. A final notice was recently issued to the firm, warning of blacklisting, yet no response was received.
A PCMC official stated that companies are hesitant due to concerns about the viability of the project, as the EV market is still growing. Additionally, long charging durations—which take around two hours for a full charge—have raised concerns about consumer willingness to wait at public stations.
Previously, several companies failed to meet tender conditions, prompting PCMC to revise its requirements and simplify the process. However, even after the changes, the response remained poor.
“We have now relaxed the eligibility criteria,” a PCMC official said.
According to civic data, Pimpri-Chinchwad has 23.3 lakh registered vehicles, of which around 50,000 are electric. Despite the challenges, PCMC remains committed to promoting EV infrastructure in the city.
