Maharashtra RTOs to Become EV Charging Hubs

Maharashtra's Transport Department is preparing a proposal to set up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at all 60 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state. The proposal, which is expected to be submitted to the state government shortly, aims to establish EV charging infrastructure under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

According to Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar, the department is working on the proposal as the number of electric vehicles in the state continues to rise. The move is linked to the state's target of shifting a large share of vehicles to electric mobility by 2047. The expansion of charging infrastructure is an important part of this transition.

The proposed charging stations will initially cater to electric vehicles used by the Transport Department. Each station will have the capacity to charge five electric vehicles at a time. Once government vehicles have been charged, the facility will also be made available to members of the public.

The department has already conducted a survey of all RTO offices to identify suitable locations for the charging facilities. This move comes after the Transport Department began procuring electric vehicles under the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025. These vehicles are currently being used for RTO-related operations and will require dedicated charging infrastructure at the offices.

Over the past four years, as many as 7,72,123 electric vehicles have been registered in Maharashtra, according to Transport Department data. Electric two-wheelers account for 6,36,000 registrations, or more than 80 per cent of the total. The proposed charging stations are expected to serve not only as infrastructure for government EVs but also as an additional public charging network.

The PPP model is expected to reduce the department's direct financial burden. A private operator will be appointed to establish and operate the charging stations, while the government is expected to finalise a revenue-sharing model with the contractor. Once government vehicles have met their charging requirements, members of the public will be able to use the stations by paying the prescribed charging fee. A share of this revenue could accrue to the Transport Department.

If approved, the proposal would turn RTO premises from being purely administrative centres into small EV charging hubs. This would allow the government to expand charging infrastructure without making the entire investment itself. The move is seen as a significant step towards promoting electric mobility in the state and addressing the gaps in charging availability faced by EV owners.

The proposal is part of the state's efforts to promote electric vehicles and reduce its carbon footprint. With the number of electric vehicles on the road expected to continue growing, the expansion of charging infrastructure is crucial to support this growth. The Transport Department's initiative is expected to contribute to the state's goal of becoming a leader in electric mobility.

In conclusion, the proposal to set up EV charging stations at RTO offices in Maharashtra is a significant step towards promoting electric mobility in the state. The PPP model is expected to reduce the department's financial burden, while also providing an additional public charging network for EV owners. If approved, the proposal would turn RTO premises into small EV charging hubs, supporting the state's goal of shifting a large share of vehicles to electric mobility by 2047.