For more than seven months, the fast charger or Direct Current charger at Samtse’s only electric vehicle (EV) charging station has been out of service, creating difficulties for the taxi drivers who rely on it. According to the drivers, the fast charger, essential for efficient charging, has been non-operational since March, with repairs stalled due to ongoing technical difficulties.
For the six electric taxi drivers in Samtse, the unavailability of the fast DC charger at the district’s only charging station has been a major setback.
Installed towards the end of last year to support the rising number of EVs in the area, the charging station initially offered both an AC and a DC charger to provide efficient service.
However, just a few months after its launch, the DC charger began experiencing issues in March and April, and despite several repair attempts by the Bhutan Power Corporation officials, the machine remains inoperable.
The ongoing maintenance issues have left drivers with few options, forcing them to charge their vehicles at home, or travel nearly 70 kilometres to Phuentshogling for a full charge.
Although the AC charger is operational, its slower charging speed has led to long wait times and backlogs, frustrating drivers who rely on timely service to earn their income.
Leki Khandu, an EV taxi driver said “The DC charger in Samtse has been out of service for seven to eight months now. No one is repairing it. When we travel from Thimphu or Paro to Samtse, we face a lot of issues.”
Karma Wangzin, another EV taxi driver said “We have a fast charger in Samtse, but it has not been functioning for months. Without it, we are forced to drive to Phuentshogling early in the morning, taking a few passengers just to charge our vehicles. Moreover, only one charging station in Phuentshogling is operational.”
The BPC Electrical Service Division office in Samtse, responsible for installing and maintaining the station, confirmed that despite multiple repair attempts, the DC charger remains inoperable.
Officials explained they are unsure of the exact cause of the malfunction and is beyond their current technical expertise, as the charger is a new model.
However, the BPC office has reported the issue to their head office, which has scheduled a team visit to Samtse to assess the situation.
Additionally, BPC plans to provide training for EV focal personnel to enhance their ability to troubleshoot these machines in the future.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
