Tashkent's EV charging stations face dismantling and disconnection orders

The Ministry of Energy issued a statement clarifying that the ministry had not issued any orders to disconnect the stations. Similarly, the state-owned the Regional Electric Networks (Hududiy Elektr Tarmoqlari) denied responsibility, stating that only consumers with outstanding debts were being disconnected.

"Our stations are still not operating"

Companies in the charging station market have reached out to Kun.uz regarding the ongoing situation.

“It all began on December 9. Organizations affiliated with the Regional Electric Networks started disconnecting our stations across Tashkent. Currently, 24 of our stations are not operational and have been sealed. They cited outstanding electricity bills as the reason. Most of the stations are connected to the transformers of other facilities such as shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets. We have contracts with these facility owners, who, in turn, handle the electricity payments.

For example, we installed four stations at the Index Market. In this case, we are sub-consumers. We pay the market for the electricity we use. From this perspective, we have already made advance payments for the coming months. However, representatives of the Regional Electric Networks specifically disconnected only our station, while all other facilities at the market continue to have electricity. If there is a debt, the electricity should be cut off for the entire market, but they only sealed our meter.

The same happened with stations installed in the parking lots of restaurants. In such cases, the stations belong to the restaurant, and we provide maintenance. Advance payments for estimated electricity usage for the next month were also made. Yet, the electricians disconnected only the charging stations, while the restaurants continued to operate as usual.

Moreover, if smart meters are installed, wouldn’t the system automatically disconnect if the balance runs out?” said one company director in a conversation with Kun.uz.

The director added that unlike gasoline-powered cars, electric vehicles have no alternative energy source. Shutting down charging stations, especially during the winter months, creates serious inconveniences for drivers.

An employee of Megawatt Energy told Gazeta.uz that nearly 20 of their stations were disconnected early last week.

Demands for dismantling stations in Tashkent

Entrepreneurs operating in the electric vehicle charging sector may not only face power disconnections but also lose their stations entirely. Starting late last week, they began receiving letters from the Cadastre Agency demanding the dismantling of the stations.

The letters state that the land has been illegally occupied, and the equipment must be removed. Failure to comply could result in legal action under Article 60 of the Administrative Code for unauthorized land use and construction activities.

“I went to the Tashkent City Cadastre Department. They asked for a list of all the stations in Tashkent and the contracts that justify their installation. They acknowledged that it is legal for a restaurant to set up a parking area for its customers, but claimed that building a charging station in that parking lot is illegal. I asked what the legal solution would be, if one exists. They said there isn’t one.

They even admitted that K-savdo has been closed in Tashkent for several years. So, there is no clear answer on how to make this process legal,” said one entrepreneur.

The press service of the Cadastre Agency told Gazeta.uz that inspections revealed instances of land being used “not in accordance with its designated purpose.” Specifically, charging stations were installed in areas allocated for other purposes.

Kun.uz reached out to the agency to inquire about legal procedures for resolving the issue but has not received a response.

According to the presidential decree “On Measures to Expand Infrastructure for the Use of Electric Vehicles,” starting January 1, 2024, all newly constructed shopping and business centers, entertainment and recreation facilities, fuel stations, hotels, and infrastructure facilities along national and international highways must include electric vehicle charging stations in their designs.

Additionally, a government resolution from November stipulates the installation of more than 32,000 charging stations across Uzbekistan by the end of 2025.