A quick charging point for electric vehicles in Thimphu has become defunct. The facility located at the Changlimithang remained unusable for over a month now. This, according to the drivers, highlights a concerning issue of inadequate management in the growing electric vehicle infrastructure sector. The use of electric vehicles has been on the rise over the years. However, the absence of a responsible agency to maintain and operate charging stations has left most EV drivers frustrated.
Namgay Tandin, a taxi driver purchased his electric vehicle last year. Namgay says he purchased the electric vehicle with the hope of saving on fossil fuel.
Namgay goes around and charges his EV at almost all the charging points. But, he says, the charging station at the Changlimithang which was installed in 2021 has been the most convenient so far as it has spacious parking space.
But recently, the quick charger that they rely on has stopped functioning.
Although a quick charger is known to reduce the battery’s life span, Namgay and other drivers say it is convenient during long road trips, and when in a hurry.
“For us, the quick charger is more efficient because it charges the car within one hour and 15 minutes. But if our car is at 25 per cent battery, the AC charger takes a minimum of five hours and eight minutes. If possible, we will be thankful if they install more charging stations within Thimphu. But it will be more beneficial for us if the existing charging point is fixed soon.”
The station also has two slow chargers but drivers say it takes longer and is best suited for a dedicated parking spot at home or work. They say it is convenient only for overnight charging.
The drivers also added that no relevant agencies came to repair the dysfunctional charging point. In addition, they are also unaware of whom to take the matter to.
“When it stops working, we wait for one to two weeks. But when our patience is exhausted then we discuss among ourselves as to whose responsibility is it to fix the facility. We went to the Bhutan Taxi Association, RSTA, the EV project office, to four different offices. But when we go to the association, they send us to the RSTA, and RSTA sends us to BPC, and when we go to BPC, they ask us to go to the EV project office. I think no agency will take immediate responsibility for maintenance. We just feel that it should be written on the papers to fix accountability among the various offices for maintaining the charging points when such a thing happens,” said Namgay Tandin, a taxi driver.
“After it stopped working, BPC blamed the RSTA, and the agencies kept playing the blame game among themselves. But we are not really sure whom to complain. There is no expertise either. I think taxi drivers like us should be given training to fix this. This will help us. Most of the taxis are local within Thimphu. Each day, the number of taxis is increasing. If you look here right now, you can only see this much but if check a little later, the parking space gets completely packed,” said Tshewang Gyeltshen, also a taxi driver.
The Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority or the erstwhile RSTA looked after EV matters. However, mandates related to EV were transferred and handed over to the Department of Surface Transport in March this year as part of the transformation initiative.
The Department of Surface Transport and the Bhutan Power Corporation are entrusted with the responsibility to monitor EV matters. However, according to the department, the EV Charging Station in Changlingmithang is currently under review by the Anti-Corruption Commission for budget misappropriation.
Therefore, the department said it will not be maintaining, or replacing any parts until the review is completed.
Bhutan first started importing electric vehicles in 2014. Today there are close to 600 electric vehicles of which close to 240 are taxis.
Samten Dolkar
Edited by Phub Gyem
