Jun 30, 2026
Jun 30, 2026
Bhutan is accelerating the shift to low-emission transport, and Thimphu plays a central role in that transition. As the country's capital and the base for major government institutions, the city needed practical public charging infrastructure that could serve official vehicles while also improving charging access for local EV users.
With support from the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bhutan's Prime Minister's Office advanced a public charging rollout designed to strengthen the national EV ecosystem. The Dangrina site in Dechencholing, Thimphu, became one of the visible charging locations helping build confidence in everyday EV use.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station at Dangrina, Dechencholing, Thimphu
As part of the government's public charging infrastructure initiative, the project placed clear requirements on charging efficiency, equipment reliability, and operational management.
First, the charging stations needed to serve both government fleet and public EV users. High charging efficiency was essential to improve station throughput and meet the daily charging needs of different vehicle users.
Second, the chargers were installed outdoors in Thimphu, where high altitude, significant day-to-night temperature variations, and seasonal rainfall required equipment capable of reliable long-term outdoor operation.
In addition, as part of the public charging network, the stations needed to be easy to manage. Operators required real-time visibility into equipment status to reduce on-site inspections, minimize maintenance workload, and improve overall operational efficiency.
To meet the project requirements, SETEC POWER supplied the PowerMaster 120kW DC Fast Charging Solution for deployment at the public charging stations, supporting both government fleet and public EV charging.
High-Efficiency Charging: With a maximum output of 120kW, PowerMaster helps reduce charging time and improve station throughput.
Wide Vehicle Compatibility: Equipped with both CCS2 and CHAdeMO DC charging connectors, the charger is compatible with the Japanese and European EV models deployed in the project while supporting the charging standards commonly used in Bhutan.
Outdoor Durability: Featuring a Type 3R enclosure and an electrophoresis-coated cabinet, PowerMaster is designed to withstand high-altitude environments, temperature fluctuations, and rainy conditions for dependable long-term outdoor operation.
Connected maintenanceļ¼Remote monitoring, fault diagnosis and OTA updates give operators better visibility with fewer site visits.
Bhutan Public Charging Project | SETEC POWER
After commissioning, the site expanded fast-charging access in Thimphu and helped make EV charging more available to government fleet users and the public. The project also created a practical reference point for future public EV charging infrastructure in Bhutan, especially where reliability, outdoor durability and simplified operation are priorities.
For SETEC POWER, the project demonstrates how a 120kW DC fast charging solution can support public-sector electrification in emerging EV markets: fast enough for daily fleet and public use, compatible with multiple vehicle standards, and manageable for operators responsible for long-term station uptime.
Source context: UNDP Bhutan reported that the Japan-UNDP-supported EV project installed DC/quick charging stations.
