Sri Lanka plans to introduce low-cost charging facilities for electric vehicles (EVs) during periods of low electricity demand as part of efforts to accelerate EV adoption and reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Speaking at a stakeholder consultation workshop on the development of the National EV Charging Infrastructure Policy in Colombo on Tuesday (17), Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake said the government is exploring measures to encourage the use of electric vehicles while making better use of available electricity generation capacity.
“Currently, electric vehicles account for only one percent of the country’s vehicle fleet. If we can increase this number and use renewable energy to power them, we can save billions of rupees spent on fossil fuels,” the Minister said.
He noted that the government intends to identify barriers hindering the growth of electric vehicle usage and implement solutions, particularly by promoting charging during periods when electricity demand is low.
As part of these efforts, the Minister said plans are underway to introduce low-cost EV charging facilities outside urban areas and strengthen the national electricity network to support increased electric vehicle usage.
Karunathilake emphasized that greater adoption of EVs, coupled with the use of renewable energy, would help maximize Sri Lanka’s renewable energy potential while delivering significant economic benefits.
The workshop was jointly organized by the Ministry of Energy, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), with the participation of representatives from the Public Utilities Commission, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, National System Control Centre, electricity distribution companies, and other key stakeholders.
Senior government officials and representatives from international development organizations also attended the event to discuss strategies for expanding the country’s EV charging infrastructure and supporting the transition to cleaner transportation.
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