Karnataka on Monday inaugurated first of its kind solar-integrated EV charging station, powered by second-life batteries which will run round the clock. The station established by BESCOM near Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) aims to promote green mobility and renewable energy solutions.

The hub near the airport includes a 45 KW solar power system and 100 KWH second-life battery storage capacity. With 23 charging points, comprising 18 fast charging points and five slow charging points, the facility is available at a minimal cost. "This large-scale EV charging hub, developed through a partnership between BESCOM, the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) can charge 23 vehicles simultaneously," said Karnataka's energy minister K J George. He added that at the station solar energy is stored in old car batteries and is highly sustainable.

"Solar power generated during the day is stored using this battery system and supplied to electric vehicles around the clock," George added.

The state currently has 5,880 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, of which 4,462 are located in the Bengaluru Urban district. The energy department informed that in 2025 about 140 stations have already been established.

The government said the new charging station will be most beneficial for cab operators. Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda said every day, around 10,000 cabs operate between the airport and the city out of which over thousands are electric cars. "It is truly a matter of happiness that a new EV charging station has been set up near the Bengaluru airport for the convenience of cab drivers and the public using electric vehicles," Gowda said.