Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in Andhra Pradesh is all set to be the world’s first temple to use electric vehicles claims a report. EVs will ease its officials’ daily commute reports TOI.
State-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) has already supplied 350 electric vehicles to Andhra Government which will be deployed across the state as per government’s EV policy.
Tirupati will get 50 of these electric cars to be used by its officials in Tirumala.
M Kamalakar Babu, MD, New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (NREDCAP) speaking to TOI said, “The electric vehicles are being hired on a monthly basis from Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), with whom we have entered into an agreement. Initially, we will deploy 50 vehicles each in selected areas, including the TTD.”
According to the report the corporation will pay EESL Rs 20,000 per vehicle every month and give another Rs 20,000/ month to the departments that will take care of the drive and maintenance costs.
The drivers hired will be given a specific training on the use of batteries and gears to drive these electric vehicle. Each car costs Rs 11 lakh and after six years the ownership of these vehicles will be given to the state government.
Beside Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams other state government-run bodies including Tirupati Municipal Corporation (TMC), Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the secretariat in Amaravati be deploying electric vehicles.
The cost to run electric cars in Tirupati temple will be as low as Rs 2 /km and a full charge can see these electric cars (Tata Tigor and Mahindra e-Verito) travelling for up to 120 kms.
AP Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has already finalized vendors to supply charging equipment as per norms set by EESL.
ALSO READ:
EV Manufacturers’ Focus on Long-Range Battery Leads to Anticipated Unit Sales of 1.6 million in 2018
NREL Quantifies California’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Needs