Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has decided to collaborate with the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) to set up electric charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) in all metro stations. In the first phase, charging points will be installed at four metro stations as a pilot project. Once found viable, the project will be extended to all the 22 metro stations in Kochi.
The stations for the first phase will be selected based on the flow of vehicles and the number of prospective owners who may buy or switch to EVs at each center. Presently, the number of EVs in Kochi is limited. However, the city is expected to witness a steep increase in EV users in the near future. Improvised versions of EVs are being manufactured to generate new demand. KMRL is also planning to launch an e-auto service for which it has invited tenders for submitting request for qualification. The e-auto service will serve as a feeder service to the metro. 77 e-autos are intended to be rolled out in the first phase of the plan.
Unavailability of charging points has been a limiting factor for prospective EV users in Kochi. The city has two charging points installed by Kerala State Electricity Board and one by Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Corporation Limited. Thus, the move by KMRL is expected to ease electric vehicle charging and boost demand for electric vehicles