Sri Lanka Urges Electric Vehicle Owners to Avoid Nighttime Charging as Energy Crisis Intensifies
News Summary
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- Amid increased pressure on Sri Lanka’s electricity system, electric vehicle owners are urged to avoid charging their vehicles at night.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted that nighttime EV charging adds about 300 megawatts of extra demand on the grid.
- Sri Lanka has imposed fuel rationing and a four-day workweek due to the ongoing energy crisis.
As Sri Lanka’s energy crisis deepens, the government has appealed to electric vehicle (EV) users to refrain from charging their vehicles during nighttime hours. This appeal comes as rising electricity demand puts severe strain on the country’s power system.
Addressing the nation, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that when numerous EV owners begin charging their vehicles upon returning home at night, it adds approximately 300 megawatts of additional demand on the power grid. This surge creates imbalances in the electricity supply and compels the operation of all available power generation sources.
Currently, the country produces around 900 megawatts of electricity from coal and 1,000 megawatts from diesel generators during nighttime. However, the government has acknowledged that these are not environmentally friendly energy sources, contradicting the perception of EVs as symbols of clean energy.
Despite adequate solar energy production during the day, the government explained that the lack of large-scale battery storage systems prevents excess daytime energy from being stored for later use.
For this reason, President Wickremesinghe urged citizens to charge their vehicles during daylight by utilizing solar power. Additionally, preparations are underway to introduce a fee-based system to regulate nighttime charging.
The number of electric vehicles in Sri Lanka has rapidly increased recently. Following the lifting of a five-year ban on vehicle imports last February, over 10 percent of newly imported cars have been fully electric.
The energy crisis, exacerbated by the war in the Middle East, continues to impact Sri Lanka. To manage fuel shortages, the government has introduced rationing and implemented a four-day workweek aimed at conserving fuel.
President Wickremesinghe revealed that due to the conflict, two shipments totaling 90,000 tons of crude oil have not been received. Talks are ongoing with allied nations such as India and Russia to secure refined petroleum products.
Following the energy-saving campaign, roads nationwide were noticeably less crowded on Wednesday. With schools, government offices, and banks closed, railway and bus stations also experienced reduced congestion.