After months of waiting and frustration, electric vehicle owners in Gelephu finally have a reason to cheer. A new DC fast charger, recently installed by the Bhutan Power Corporation Limited, promises to ease pressure on the town’s only charging station and cut charging time from hours to less than one.
This additional DC charger or fast charger, installed by the BPC recently, is now up and running in Gelephu.
The new unit can power most electric vehicles up to 90 per cent in under an hour, compared to just over 80 per cent from the older fast charger. In contrast, slow chargers take 10 to 12 hours for a full charge, an option many drivers turn to only when fast chargers are occupied.
“Earlier, it was very challenging because the charger would often break down, as more than 50 to 60 EVs in Gelephu alone, along with vehicles from other districts, relied on it. The heavy load caused frequent problems. Now, with two fast chargers, things have become much easier and more convenient for us,” said Phurba Wangchuk, EV Driver, Gelephu.
“In the past, we had to stand in line for hours just to charge our vehicles. With the new fast charger, that problem is solved, and we are grateful to the BPC office for providing this service,” said Man Bdr Rai, EV driver, Gelephu.
With this addition, Gelephu now has two fast chargers and one slow charger. To avoid overloading the fast units, drivers often top up their batteries using the slow charger. The station is also equipped with about 12 power sockets, voluntarily set up by local EV drivers, which allow for basic home-style charging when the fast chargers are engaged.
According to the BPC, the new charger was originally installed in Chudzom but was relocated to Gelephu to meet growing demand. Officials said more chargers will be installed soon, with approvals already secured from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to procure three to four additional slow chargers.
They added that, unlike in other regions, chargers in the southern belt are more prone to damage due to overheating and harsh weather conditions.
Meanwhile, most EV drivers in Gelephu continue to rely on home charging overnight. But not all households have proper earthing systems, and some homeowners discourage car charging on their premises. Drivers say their monthly electricity bills for home charging usually range between Nu 1,000 and 1,500.
Currently, Gelephu has the only charging station in the entire Sarpang district. With EV numbers steadily increasing, drivers say that additional charging stations, faster repair services, and proper amenities such as toilets will be crucial to meet future demand.
For now, the extra fast charger has brought much-needed relief, but as more EVs hit the road, the real test will be whether the infrastructure can keep pace.
Passang Dorji, Gelephu
