The Kochi Metro Rail Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed between the central government and the Kerala government, has invited bids for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) for its water metro project in Kochi, Kerala.

The scope of work includes comprehensive design, supply, delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning of EVSE, including related infrastructure for the water metro project.

EVSEs are also known as EV charging stations, electric recharging points, or just charging points.

The bidders are also responsible for the design, engineering, testing of manufacturer’s works, procurement, quality assurance, packing, erection including performance testing, and commissioning of fast charging DC EVSE of capacity 150 kW with CCS2 gun (200A continuous) including all fixtures, fittings and mounting accessories as per technical specification in the boat terminals.

The project will be partly funded by the German funding agency KFW and the Kerala government.

The last date to submit the bids is February 22, 2021. Bids will be opened on February 24. The pre-bid meeting will take place on January 20.

Interested bidders will have to submit an amount of ₹1.75 million (~$23,910) as the earnest money deposit.

The Kochi water metro project envisages developing 15 identified routes, connecting ten islands and a network of routes that span 76 km with a fleet of 78 fast, fuel-efficient ferries plying between 38 terminals.

The project will install 24 EVSEs on different terminals of the water metro.

To participate in the competitive bidding process, the bidder should have completed similar works as a prime contractor or consortium partner during the last seven years. The bidder should have completed at least one contract with a minimum value of ₹140 million (~$1.91 million), or two contracts each of a minimum value of ₹90 million (~$1.23 million), or three contracts each of a minimum value of ₹70 million (~$956,418).

The bidder should have manufactured, supplied, installed, and commissioned five EVSEs of capacity 50 kW or more and based on DC fast charging technology.

The bidder’s minimum average annual turnover should be at least ₹235 million (~$3.2 million) in the previous three financial years. Metro corporations in some states have, over the last couple of years, come up with various initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint by turning to renewable sources to meet their energy requirements.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, Kerala has so far issued tenders for installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure at 26  locations in the state.

The Department of Heavy Industries has approved 2,636 electric vehicle charging stations in 62 cities across 24 states and union territories under the second phase of the FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India) program. Out of these, 1,633 charging stations will be fast-charging stations, and 1,003 will be slow charging stations. There are 131 charging stations approved in Kerala under this program.