Kerala’s northern districts are leading while the southern regions lag behind.
Parivahan data for the first three months of 2024 reveals that about 20,000 electric vehicles were registered in the state.
Notably, during the 2023-24 fiscal year, 4,068 electric autorickshaws, 61,787 two-wheelers, and 9,712 light motor vehicles were registered, as reported by The Indian Express.
Ramanunni M, CEO and co-founder of chargeMOD, highlighted the surge in e-autos in northern districts like Kozhikode and Malappuram, contrasting with slower progress in the south. Kozhikode alone boasts 3,500 e-autos, while the entire district hosts around 6,000, in contrast to only 1,500 in Ernakulam.
However, the growth in e-vehicles hasn’t been met with a proportional increase in charging stations, especially in Malabar. Ramanunni noted the disparity, citing 140 charging points in Kozhikode despite its high e-auto concentration.
Mohammed Salim, secretary of E-auto CITU Sarovaram Section, emphasized the economic appeal of e-autos for drivers but highlighted the challenge of insufficient charging stations.
To address this, chargeMOD plans to install 500 slow chargers and 100 fast chargers in addition to the existing 1,500 stations across Kerala.
Jithin S Nair, CEO of Vaan Moto, echoed concerns about charging time and limited vehicle range. He stressed the need for fast chargers or battery exchange facilities, advocating for government intervention to facilitate EV adoption.
Salim highlighted growing tensions between two-wheeler riders and e-auto drivers in Kozhikode, a problem mirrored across the state. The situation underscores the urgency for infrastructure improvements to support Kerala’s electric mobility revolution.
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