Kerala Empanels Eight Companies for Setting Up EV Charging Stations

56 charging stations will be set up under the second phase of the state’s program

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The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has disclosed the list of empaneled bidders that intend to set up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for commercial operations at specified locations in the state.

Last year, KSEB had invited bids from interested parties to set up EV charging stations across the state.

KSEB_List of Empanelled Bidders Selected for Setting up Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Speaking to Mercom, Joseph Kunjummen, the head of the renewable energy department of KSEB, said, “The price bids from these empaneled bidders have been called for 56 EV charging stations under the second phase.” He said that the government has laid out three phases for the installation of EV charging stations across the state. Under phase I, six EV charging stations are being deployed.” Over 300 EV charging stations under phase III are in the pipeline, he added.

He further informed that a pilot project is already in operation at the government secretariat in the state’s capital Thiruvananthapuram.

Kerala was one of the first states to start focusing on the promotion of electric mobility.

In 2018, the state government had then chalked out a roadmap for an Electric Vehicle Policy, which aimed to reduce the number of vehicles with the introduction of electric buses and e-autorickshaws.

Kerala’s budget for the financial year 2019-2020 also puts the impetus on the development of the EV sector in the state.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Power recently issued an amendment to its guidelines and standards for the charging infrastructure of electric vehicles. The amendment has now specified that the tariff for the supply of electricity to the EV public charging stations should not be more than 15% of the average cost of supply of power. This ceiling was not given in the earlier guidelines.

 

Image credit: Jacquesverlaeken / CC BY-SA

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.

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