The Center has approved a grant of ₹ 63.12 crore for setting up 335 electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Kerala under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme.
The grant was approved by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries based on proposals submitted by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), which is the state’s nodal agency for the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
Places where EV chargers will be installed include KSEB offices and facilities, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus stations, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Kariavattom and Palayam campuses of Kerala University, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd offices, hotels run by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, railway stations and various public sector units.
On 29 September 2024, the Union Government approved the PM E-DRIVE scheme with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore as a restricted fund scheme. It includes an outlay of ₹2,000 crore on Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVPCS). Operational guidelines for EVPCS under PM E-DRIVE were issued a year later.
KSEB was appointed as the nodal agency for Kerala in October 2025. KSEB submitted its proposal on 17 March 2025.
As per scheme guidelines, in cases where the nodal agency installs and commissions EVPCS itself, the first tranche (70%) of the eligible subsidy would be released in advance on request to facilitate faster adoption. The nodal agency is also required to regularly update the implementation progress on the online portal and ensure that operational data for installed EVPCS (such as charger location, slot availability, pricing and digital payment options) is shared with the “National Unified Hub” being developed by MHI.
Published – 04 Apr 2026 06:04 IST
