Agra is known for its Mughal architecture, Pethas, and obviously for the Taj Mahal. It is one of India's popular tourist destinations across the globe due to its important historical sites and architectural wonders of the Mughal era. Agra is the fourth largest city in terms of population which is about 1.6 million in Uttar Pradesh and holds the 23rd position among the most populous cities of India. The historical significance of Agra started during the reign of Sikandar Lodhi but the phenomenal architectural age of the city started with Mughal origins. Agra was the most famous city among the rulers and kings of that period in the Indian subcontinent and one of the famous capitals of the Mughal Empire. Agra was the hub of education, art, trade, and religion, witness the construction of the Agra Fort, Sikandra, and one of the seven wonders, the Taj Mahal, the most popular and visited monument of Agra. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for this favourite queen.
Agra is well connected with all major cities of India via Air, Rail, and Roads. From April 2021, IndiGo has already started operating regular flights from Agra to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Bangalore airports. Agra has a diverse railway network as well with 7 railway stations in the city. All Shatabdi and Rajdhani are run between Agra and various major cities of India. It has three national highways, Yamuna Expressway and Agra Lucknow Expressway. Other paratransit methods include autos and e-rickshaws. It is interesting to know Polluting vehicles are prohibited near the Taj Mahal because air pollution starts ruining the Marbles of the Taj Mahal. Hence, the Uttar Pradesh Government is taking several major steps to Promote Electric Vehicles in the city.
Govt is planning to install charging stations on 310 km long Lucknow-Agra Expressway
Electric vehicles are being promoted in the country to reduce environmental pollution. For this, like the roadside petrol pumps, charging stations have now been built. Under this, now the Uttar Pradesh Transport Department has taken a big initiative. Around 40 prepaid electric vehicle charging stations will be built for electric vehicles on Lucknow-Agra Expressway. As per the reports, work has started for this. The Department of Transport has started working rapidly to promote electric vehicles. Preparations are on to give a gift of a new charging station to the four-wheeler electric vehicle owners on the Lucknow-Agra Expressway anytime soon. Forty charging stations will be opened on the lines of petrol pumps for electric vehicles on both sides of the expressway. Apart from this, there are plans to open charging stations on Agra and Varanasi routes connected to Lucknow city. The charging price per vehicle at these stations will be decided before the inauguration. So that the vehicles can be easily changed at a fixed price. At present, an electric vehicle will be charged between 50 minutes to an hour. There are certain terms and conditions for opening these charging stations. According to this, a station can be opened between 30 to 80 km. For this, it will be necessary to have a land and electricity connection. There should be at least one thousand square feet of land for the station, while there should be a commercial connection of 10 to 15 kV of electricity. There should also be a facility for charging 5 EVs simultaneously at the station.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Agra
1. Tata Charging Station: 119-120/8, Sanjay Palace, Sanjay Place, Civil Lines, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282002
2. EV Charging Station: 1176, Sector 14, Sector 10, Avas Vikas Colony, Sikandra, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282007
UP Government's Initiatives
The Uttar Pradesh EV Policy was formed in 2019 to promote the adoption of EVs in the state to create a greener environment in the state, to establish Uttar Pradesh as a preferred destination for attracting investments in the manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (EV), to create employment opportunities both from the supply side and demand side of Electric Vehicles, to create a conducive environment for a shift from Internal Combustion (IC) engines to Electric Vehicles (EVs), to encourage the use of Hybrid EVs (HEVs) and Plug-in-electric vehicles (PEVs) during the transition phase, to develop human capital and augment the power capacity to meet the needs of the industry promoting electric mobility in the state and to develop a strong and sustainable ecosystem for battery management, right from the production stage to disposal stage.
The policy targets to attract investments of over INR 40,000 crore in the next 5-years across the electric mobility ecosystem with an employment potential for 50,000 people, launch 1000 electric buses (BEVs/FCEVs) and achieve 70% EV public transportation on identified green routes in identified 10 EV cities by 2030, to phase out all conventional commercial fleets and logistics vehicles and achieve 50% EV mobility in Goods Transportation in identified 10 EV cities by 2024 and all cities by 2030, to roll out nearly 10 lakh EVs, combined across all segment of vehicles, by 2024, to bring in manufacturing units of high-density power storage of at least 5GWh capacity in the next 5-years for smooth electric mobility and to set up nearly 2 lakh slow and fast charging, swapping stations by 2024. The initiative took place to make Agra, UP, an EV hub, provide employment opportunities, create awareness about EV and make mobility accessible to all. India’s first two E- Highways for Hybrid, Bio-Fuel Cell and Electric Vehicles with Charging Stations and Breakdown Services on 500 Kms Jaipur - Delhi - Agra (Delhi–Agra (Yamuna Exp.) 25 Nov 2020).
In Jan 2021, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials concerned to update the policy efforts to promote and encourage the manufactures of environment-friendly vehicles in Uttar Pradesh.
What if an Electric Vehicle Charging Station also powers your business?
Install an electric vehicle charging station for its sales force, the employees of its SME, the customers of its catchment area, or the inhabitants of its community. It means showing one's environmental responsibility and being recognized as such. This saves both energy and pollution, especially fine particles. Installing a charging station can also promote your business and develop your customer base. Kazam EV is increasingly called upon to install charging stations for electric vehicles in Hotels, Restaurants, Shops because customers demand this service when visiting your business place.
