Electric vehicle owners in Chennai will soon have more places to charge their vehicles. According to TheHindu, Southern Railway is setting up charging points and battery exchange counters at twenty-eight railway stations across the city by June.
What Are These New Facilities?
The railway authorities are creating two different types of services for electric vehicle users. First, they are putting in charging points where you can plug in your vehicle to fill its battery with electricity. Second, they are setting up battery swapping counters where you can quickly exchange your empty battery for a fully charged one.
Battery swapping is like exchanging an empty water bottle for a full one, instead of waiting to fill your bottle. This makes it much faster to get back on the road.
Where Will You Find These Charging Stations?
You’ll find these new facilities at popular stations across Chennai. According to TheHindu, the stations are spread across different parts of the city to help as many people as possible.
- Main stations: Moore Market Complex (MMC), Beach, Egmore
- Southern suburbs: Velachery, Thiruvanmiyur, Taramani
- Central locations: Light House, Thirumayilai, Kotturpuram
- Other important stops: Chengalpattu, Tirusulam, Avadi, Guindy
The charging points will be at all 28 stations, including 8 stations in the Chennai Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpattu section and 7 stations in the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).
When Will These Be Ready For Use?
The timeline for these new facilities is quite soon:
- EV charging units planned to be ready by June
- Battery swapping work to start in the first week of June
- Contracts already given for 11 battery swapping stations
Why Is This Happening Now?
There are several reasons why Southern Railway is taking this step. The main reason is the growing number of electric vehicles in Chennai.
- To support the increasing number of people using electric vehicles
- To make good use of available space at railway stations
- To help commuters who use both trains and electric vehicles
Previous Attempts and Lessons Learned
This is not the first time Southern Railway has tried to provide charging facilities. The previous attempt to offer free EV charging had problems.
| Feature | Old System | New System |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Poor upkeep | Better maintenance planned |
| Technology | Outdated | Latest charging technology |
| Security | Limited safety measures | Improved security with parking contractors |
| Awareness | Low public knowledge | Better promotion planned |
According to IEEFA Report in 2024, poor reliability of public EV charging stations in India is caused by outdated technology and inadequate incentives. The report suggests upgrading existing charging sites with the latest technology is a key measure to improve reliability.
What People Are Saying About These Facilities
M. Premkumar from Kotturpuram said, “EV charging facility at Kotturpuram MRTS station needs parking contractor for vehicle safety.” His concern shows that security is an important issue for users.
S. Kumaresan, an electric two-wheeler owner, shared his thoughts: “Battery swapping technology requires a clean environment, necessitating installation within railway stations.” This explains why railway stations are good locations for these services.
Expected Benefits and Challenges
According to TheHindu, Tamil Nadu’s public EV charging stations consumed 1.727 million units of electricity in April-May 2024, showing a shift towards cleaner energy sources. This suggests the new stations will be well-used.
The business side looks promising too. According to EcoGears, the revenue model for EV charging stations in Tamil Nadu suggests a potential monthly profit of 99,000 rupees per charger, assuming 10 cars per day and a charging cost of 15 rupees per kWh.
According to DTNext, in 2023 Ather Energy partnered with Southern Railway to set up fast-charging zones at 10 MRTS and suburban stations, each equipped with three chargers. Each charging zone occupies 100 sq. ft. and is accessible to both electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
Looking Ahead: What This Means
As more people switch to electric vehicles, having convenient places to charge or swap batteries becomes very important. According to TheHindu, Chennai Metro Rail recorded a nearly 25% surge in ridership over seven months, highlighting the importance of integrating EV infrastructure with public transport hubs.
The success of these new facilities will depend on how well they’re maintained and how easy they are to use. If they work well, you might see similar services at more public places across Chennai and other cities.
Do you own an electric vehicle or are you thinking about buying one? These new charging points at railway stations might make your decision easier.
