PUCSL invites public views on electric vehicle charging station rules

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka is now engaging with the public to create regulations for electricity vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and consumer rights for EVCS users.

“PUCSL invites stakeholder views, suggestions, recommendation, concerns and comments related to issues pertaining to EVCSs and users of such services to draft required regulatory tools,” PUCSL said in a communiqué.

Public consultation is sought on creating a registry of EVCSs, a code of practices, user tariffs, safety and technical standards for EVCSs, rights of EVCS consumers and issues related to residential charging facilities.

According to PUCSL there are currently 50 privately owned EVCS, covering all main towns, but they do not operate under proper regulatory and legislative frameworks.

“At present, there is no risk Insurance procedure for EVCS to cover public liability. Apart from that, charging meter accuracy, quality levels and inspections are not regulated in Sri Lanka,” PUCSL added. There are currently 4,349 electric cars in Sri Lanka, 3,238 of which were imported in 2015 under tax concessions of the populist January 2015 mini-budget. The concessions were removed for a significant portion of 2016, a year in which 983 electric vehicles were imported. PUCSL is hoping to create a monitoring mechanism to keep an eye on EVCSs as well.