Telangana Invites Bids for 369 EV Charging Stations, Tariff Fixed at ₹13/Unit

Telangana has taken a significant step towards expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure by inviting tenders for the establishment and operation of 369 public charging stations across the state. Pre-bid meetings for the project were conducted on Monday, marking the formal start of the bidding process.

The initiative is being spearheaded by the Telangana Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TG REDCO), which is seeking private Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to manage the stations. The charging tariff has been fixed at ₹13 per unit (plus GST), and this rate will remain unchanged for the entire duration of the contract.

Of the total 369 stations, 200 will be located within the municipal corporation limits of Greater Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri. The remaining 169 stations will be set up in the erstwhile districts of Warangal, Khammam, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, and Adilabad, which fall under the jurisdiction of the TGNPDCL.

For the stations in and around Hyderabad, which have already been developed by TG REDCO, the selected CPOs will be responsible for operation, maintenance, upgradation, and commercial management over a 10-year contract period. The agreement includes a provision to ensure a minimum 95% uptime of chargers within urban limits.

For the 169 stations in the five erstwhile districts, CPOs will handle the entire scope of work, including survey, design, supply, civil works, installation, testing, and commissioning, along with operation and maintenance for 10 years. Eligible bidders may also receive subsidies under the central government's PM E-DRIVE scheme, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

TG REDCO Vice Chairman and Managing Director Musharraf Faruqui highlighted the state's strategic geographical importance, noting that several national highways and major transportation corridors pass through Telangana, leading to significant inter-state travel and freight movement. This makes the expansion of EV charging infrastructure crucial, especially as Telangana ranks fourth in the country in electricity consumption at EV charging stations, with a growing number of electric vehicles on its roads.