The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has recently launched an innovative scheme to facilitate electric vehicle (EV) charging for domestic consumers. Previously, separate electricity connections were only provided to charging stations for this purpose. However, with the new initiative, domestic customers can now avail themselves of a dedicated connection for charging their electric vehicles.
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) played a pivotal role in this development by introducing a new tariff category specifically designed for EV charging. Effective from April 1, the new rates were fixed and subsequently announced by MERC. In line with this, C.R. Mishra, Chief Engineer of the Special Projects Department at MSEDCL, issued a circular detailing the provisions of the scheme, including the option for domestic consumers to obtain a new connection solely for vehicle charging.
MSEDCL has made it clear that the new connection can be sought by electric consumers who already possess a domestic electricity connection. The inaugural separate connection for EV charging was recently granted to Nitin Gogai of Thane, marking the commencement of the scheme. MSEDCL anticipates that consumers will greatly benefit from this initiative, considering the growing number of electric vehicles in the state.
Under the new scheme, green meters will be installed for all connections sanctioned for vehicle charging. The tariff has been set at a flat rate of 7.5 per unit, inclusive of wheeling charges. Unlike other tariff categories, this scheme does not feature incremental slabs. Consequently, it is expected to offer a cost-effective solution for consumers, as MSEDCL’s standard tariff progressively increases with higher consumption.
Previously, the tariff for charging stations stood at 6.73 per unit, including wheeling charges, until March. However, starting from April 1, the rate was revised to 7.5 per unit. Despite the increase, the tariff remains comparatively discounted, ensuring an attractive proposition for EV owners. Notably, any unauthorized use of the connection for purposes other than EV charging will be deemed as power theft, according to MSEDCL’s guidelines.
The introduction of this innovative scheme by MSEDCL signifies a significant step toward supporting the increasing number of electric vehicles in Maharashtra. By offering dedicated connections for domestic consumers, MSEDCL aims to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles while providing a cost-effective and efficient charging solution.