GOMEL, 6 April (BelTA) – The Gomel Oblast electric company RUP Gomelenergo intends to add ten electric cars to its vehicle fleet in 2020, the company's Press Secretary Oksana Shaporova told BelTA.
Since May 2019 Gomelenergo has bought seven electric cars, which are used for company needs. Gomelenergo electricians use the cars to provide services to customers. The electric cars have a number of advantages. Electricity is cheaper than conventional fuel. The cars need no engine oil or cooling liquids. Maintenance is cheaper. They lack harmful emissions and do not pollute the environment. Their batteries can be charged using standard power outlets. For instance, some cars are left to charge overnight in a special bay.
The electric cars have proven to be a good addition to the company's vehicle fleet. No problems have been encountered over the course of 40,000km of mileage. A fully charged car can travel for 150km on the average. Two driving modes are available: optimal and economy. The latter is ideal for urban conditions. Recuperation function allows charging the car a bit on the go by utilizing the braking energy.
Gomelenergo's Gomel Power Grids branch and Gomelenergospetsremont branch take care of connecting car charging stations to the power grid. Four stations have already been installed in Gomel. There are plans to install four more in 2020. Several more car charging stations may be installed in Gomel's Novobelitsky District in the future.
The head of state signed a presidential decree on 12 March to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. Owners of electric cars no longer have to pay the vehicle tax. All the charging stations are entitled to zero VAT. Zero-rent land plots for building charging stations are available.
