In Tashkent, authorities have ordered the removal of electric vehicle charging stations.

Kun.uz reported on December 17, citing users and company representatives, that the shutdown of electric vehicle charging stations has begun in Uzbekistan.

Following this, the Ministry of Energy issued a statement claiming that it had not ordered the disconnection of the stations from the grid. The joint-stock company "Hududiy Elektr Tarmoklari" also denied this, stating that only consumers with outstanding debts are being disconnected.

"Our stations are still not operational"

Regarding the current situation, companies operating in the charging station market reached out to Kun.uz again.

"Everything started on December 9. Organizations associated with JSC 'Hududiy Elektr Tarmoklari' began to disconnect our stations en masse in Tashkent. Currently, 24 of our stations are non-functional; they have been sealed. The reason given is outstanding electricity debts. Most of the stations are connected to transformers of other facilities—shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets. We have contracts with them. The owners of the transformers, in turn, pay for the electricity.

For instance, at the Index market, we have installed 4 stations, and here we are sub-subscribers. This means we pay for the electricity used directly to the market. From this perspective, we have even made advance payments for the upcoming months. However, employees of JSC 'Hududiy Elektr Tarmoklari' came and disconnected only our stations, while other facilities in the market continue to receive electricity. If there were an outstanding debt, electricity should have been cut off throughout the market, but instead, they merely sealed our meter.

Similar incidents have occurred at restaurant parking lots where our stations are installed. The stations belong to the restaurant, and we provide technical maintenance. Additionally, an advance payment was made for the anticipated consumption for the month ahead. Nevertheless, the electricians disconnected only the station, while the restaurant continues to operate as usual.

Moreover, if smart meters are installed, the system automatically disconnects the power supply when funds are exhausted, right?" one of the company leaders noted in a conversation with Kun.uz.

According to him, unlike gasoline cars, electric vehicles have no alternative. The closure of stations, especially during the winter months, creates serious inconveniences for drivers.

An employee of Megawatt Energy reported to Gazeta.uz that at the beginning of last week, about 20 of their stations were also disconnected.

Charging stations in Tashkent are being demanded for dismantling

Entrepreneurs working in the electric vehicle charging sector risk losing not only their income but also their stations. Since the end of last week, they have started receiving letters from the Cadastre Agency demanding the dismantling of installed stations.

The letters indicate that the equipment must be dismantled due to illegal land seizure. Failure to comply with the requirements could result in legal action under Article 60 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility for unauthorized occupation of land and construction activities on it.

"I contacted the Cadastre Administration of Tashkent. They requested a list of all stations in Tashkent and documents confirming the legality of their installation. They stated that restaurants have the right to arrange parking for their customers, but the installation of charging stations in these parking lots is illegal. I asked what legal avenues exist and if any do. The answer was: 'None.'

They also acknowledged that the K-savdo system in Tashkent has not been operational for several years. So, when asked what to do to make this legal, there was no answer," one entrepreneur reported.

The press service of the Cadastre Agency informed Gazeta.uz that inspections revealed cases where land plots were being used for purposes other than their intended use. In particular, charging stations were installed on lands allocated for other purposes.

Kun.uz inquired with the agency about what legal path is provided in such cases, but no response has been received yet.

It should be noted that according to the decree of the president "On measures to expand the infrastructure for the operation of electric vehicles," starting January 1, 2024, charging stations for electric vehicles must be included in the projects of trade and business centers, entertainment and recreational areas, gas stations, hotels, and infrastructure facilities along international and national highways that will be built in the republic.

Furthermore, the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers from November stipulates that more than 32,000 charging stations will be installed in Uzbekistan by the end of 2025.