VISAKHAPATNAM: 12 Electric vehicle (EV) owners in North Andhra are facing difficulties due to the limited number of charging points. EV users say while demand for electric vehicles is rising, charging infrastructure development has not been apace.
At Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts, many EV owners struggle to find functional charging points.
They often have to plan long journeys around the few available stations, leading to delays and anxiety. R. Karthik, a delivery worker from Visakhapatnam, said, “To reduce fuel costs, my family invested in an EV for me. But lack of reliable charging facilities makes daily use stressful.” Industry observers say the number of public charging stations in North Andhra remains low compared to the increasing number of EVs.
Shivaji Sharma Kavikondala, founder of an EV rental startup in Visakhapatnam, said, “Our company is setting up a charging station in Annavaram to meet the demand, especially since Annavaram is a spiritual tourist destination with a growing need for electric vehicles.”
Data from the Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) shows that the number of public charging stations increased between August 2025 and June 2026, with growth recorded in Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Kakinada, Eluru, and Vizianagaram. Visakhapatnam recorded the highest numbers, where charging stations increased from 71 in August 2025 to 84 by March 2026. Usage in the district peaked at 0.176 MU in March 2026. By June 2026, usage had also increased in Eluru, Kakinada, and Visakhapatnam.
APEPDCL records show charging stations across three zones in Visakhapatnam, including facilities operated by Tata Power, IOCL, HPCL, Reliance BP Mobility, and Tesco Charge Zone, besides municipal and private setups.
Zone 1 covers Siripuram, Lawson’s Bay Colony, Pandurangapuram, and Akkayyapalem. Zone 2 includes BHPV, Chinagantyada, Malkapuram, and Marripalem, while Zone 3 covers Simhachalam, Pendurthi, Anandapuram, and Madhurawada. Officials say EV charging expansion plans are under way. But EV users complain that the pace of development is inadequate. Several areas remain underserved by charging points.
“For EV users in North Andhra, the advantage of eco-friendly transport is overshadowed by the practical hurdle of charging access. Unless infrastructure gaps are bridged quickly, the region’s transition to electric mobility risks losing momentum. The government’s push for sustainable transport will require rapid and equitable expansion of charging facilities to ensure that EV adoption does not falter,” said Shivaji Sharma, an EV user.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
