The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has completed the work on 15 electric vehicle (EV) charging centres as part of its initiative to promote pollution-free transportation in the city. Out of these, five to six centres will become operational soon.

The charging rate has been set at Rs 16.60 per unit (including GST), which the corporation claims is lower than private charging stations. To make these centres more accessible, plans are in place to develop a dedicated mobile app for EV owners.

With the increasing adoption of electric vehicles in the past three to four years and rising concerns over pollution caused by fuel-based vehicles, the municipal corporation decided to establish EV charging centres under the National Clean Air Action Programme. In the first phase, 20 charging centres were planned across six divisions, including at the Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan (municipal headquarters).

The Standing Committee has now approved the charging rates, paving the way for the operational launch. The total cost for setting up 20 EV charging stations is approximately Rs 10 crore. In addition, nine more charging centres have been approved in the second phase, though some locations are yet to be finalised.