Mackwoods to roll out electric vehicle charging stations this year
Mackwoods Energy PLC (MEP) is in discussion with various stakeholders in the industry to set up electric vehicle charging stations around the country this year, officials said.
“Currently we’re also in discussions with the Ceylon Electricity Board to obtain their support on this. Most probably this year we’ll roll it out,” Arjuna Yatawara, Managing Director MEP told the Business Times. He said they plan to set up roadside charging stations and they are also discussing with some petrol stations to build charging stations.
“The advantage of electric car batteries is that they reduce fuel costs dramatically because of the low cost of electricity relative to conventional fuel. Because they rely in whole or part on electric power, their fuel economy is measured differently than in conventional vehicles. Also they don’t produce the pollution associated with internal combustion engines,” Mr. Yatawara said, pointing out that another important advantage of battery-powered motors over gas-powered engines is the lower cost of the fuel – that is, electricity for electric vehicle is way cheaper than gas for the internal combustion engines.
He added that Mackwoods Energy was selected to supply and install 28 Air Cooled Power Generators at all Northern Line Railway stations from Medawachchiya to Kankasanthurai recently. “The Northern line Railway stations will now have prime as well as standby MACKPOWER power generators to maintain the railway signaling systems, safety lighting, warning systems, etc thereby helping to avert any disasters.”
The new railway line and 28 stations are expected to be fully completed and vested with the public by the Government this year. Anuradhapura, Parasangaswewa, Cheddikulam, Madu Road, Murukkan, Mannar, Pessalai, Tallaimannar, Vavuniya, Thandikullam, Omanthai, Killinochchi, Puliyakulam, Mankulam, Murankandy, Oyamadu, Settikulam, Medawachchiya, Paranthan, Pallai, Elephant Pass, Kodikaman, Chavakachcheri, Jaffna, Kondawil, Chunnakkam and Kankasanthurai railway stations are to be fully powered by Mackwoods Energy. Mr. Yatawara said that all the power generators selected were air cooled and underwent extensive tests and trials for reliability, low break downtime, low and easy maintenance, low capex, fuel efficiency and high power output.