In Kerala, there is an increasing demand for electric vehicles. Yet, how much Infrastructural improvements, such as charging stations, are there in Kerala? The acknowledgement the Kerala State Electricity Board has now got is the answer to this question.
The Central Government has recognised the pole mounted charging stations that KSEB designed for electric auto rickshaws and two-wheelers on a national level. The Indian Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) 2023 has given KSEB the Diamond Award in the category of Emerging Innovation in Electric Mobility Domain—EV and EVSE Rollouts.
ChargeMOD, a Startup based in Thiruvananthapuram, created the devices for the project for KSEB. The contract with KSEB covers five years of service. The Startup sells hardware and software for electric pole charging stations. By placing such chargers at power points across the State, KSEB has started a significant push in the direction of Electric Vehicles.
In every Constituency in the State, 1,150 charging stations have been installed in places recommended by their respective MLAs. The Kozhikode district, which has the most e-auto rickshaws in Kerala, was chosen as the project’s starting point and 10 pilot stations were established there. The pilot programme was a big success, and on the request of users of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, the programme was expanded throughout the state.
The capability of charging is accessible at a low cost by installing the charging stations at the existing electricity posts and decreasing the capital cost. In an emergency, they can also be used to charge electric vehicles. Via KEMapp, a smartphone app made by KSEB itself, vehicles may be readily charged. Over 51,000 two-wheelers and more than 4,500 auto rickshaws are now using this facility.
