H.P.: World’s highest EV charging station opened

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The world’s highest EV charging station was opened at Kaza town, which is located in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.

About:

• The EV charging station was opened on September 23, 2021, in order to promote a sustainable environment.
• It is the world’s highest electric vehicle charging station located at 500 ft.
• Along with the EV charging station, two women drove electric vehicles from Manali to Kaza to promote a clean and green environment.
• All the products including chargers of this station are made in India.

India’s EV ecosystem

India is gaining good momentum in the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. There is a good response for battery-operated small electric vehicles such as e-scooter, e-rickshaws, electric three-wheelers, e-carts, and e-bikes in India. Currently, the road ministry is planning to run the railway, metro, and long-run intercity buses on green hydrogen fuel. Battery electric vehicles, as well as fuel cell vehicle technologies, are complementary to each other. These technologies are all set to overtake fossil-run automotive by 2050 in India.

Kaza Town

Kaza Town is the sub-divisional headquarters of Spiti Valley. It is located in western Himalayas in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Spiti is a high altitude or cold desert which is having close similarities to the neighbouring Tibet and Ladakh regions with respect to the terrain, climate and the Buddhist culture. Kaza is situated along the Spiti River, at the elevation of 3,650 metres. It is the largest township and commercial center in Spiti valley