Separate tariff for charging stations to promote solar, non-peak hrs

CHENNAI: To encourage consumers to charge their electric vehicles during solar generation hours and non-peak hours, TNERC has created a new tariff category under the high tension – V and low tension – VII, for electric vehicle charging stations.

It has fixed a tariff between Rs 8 and Rs 12 per unit for different time slots of the day. However, consumers charging their vehicles could continue to do so using the domestic tariff.

The commission, in its order, said to encourage solar generation and also incentivise solar consumption with a rebate. “At the same time, to curtail the charging of e-vehicles during peak hours, additional charges are proposed. Both measures of incentivising consumption during solar hours and curtailing it during peak hours would help flatten the load curve of the grid to contribute to grid stability and a better voltage profile,” it said.

The order said that the captive charging of electric vehicles would have to be allowed within the premises to bill under the existing tariff. A consumer’s own vehicle alone is to be charged under the respective existing category within their own service connection installation.