The State Electric Company (STELCO) has announced that its electric vehicle (EV) charging station, currently under development, will have the capacity to charge up to eight vehicles simultaneously. The project, located on Dhon-adharaadha Magu next to STELCO's head office, began construction yesterday.
STELCO's Managing Director, Hussain Fahumy, explained that while the number of electric vehicles in the country remains low, the development of the charging station aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s environmental policies, which aim to reduce the nation's carbon footprint and promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
Fahumy also emphasized that STELCO, as the nation's electric service provider, would have exclusive rights to bring charging systems into the country. The station itself will be powered entirely by renewable energy, primarily through solar power.
"We are building this facility with renewable energy sources. All the electricity required for the station will be generated using solar power. Once operational, more people will be encouraged to switch to electric vehicles," Fahumy said.
The project is based on a model inspired by South Korea, which boasts the highest number of public EV charging stations globally. According to Fahumy, the goal is to develop one charging station for every three vehicles.
Plans to develop EV charging stations in the Maldives were originally finalized during President Muizzu's tenure as mayor of Malé City. At the time, the Malé City Council's transport committee also conducted research for the initiative.
