Highways in Kerala to have more electric charging stations

The Departments of Power and Transport in Kerala are establishing electric vehicle charging stations for every 50 km along national highways and the MC Road. In this regard, the Transport Department has transferred Rs 9 crore to the Power Department for the first phase of the project, Transport Minister Antony Raju and Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty said, addressing the 65th foundation day celebrations of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). 

Mr. Krishnankutty, who inaugurated the event, flagged off 65 electric cars inducted by the KSEB into its fleet to mark Earth Drive, the foundation day celebrations of the KSEB. Mr. Raju said that the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will begin inducting the electric buses for the city service in Thiruvananthapuram by April. Fifty buses will be on the roads by May. ”In due course, the entire city service fleet in the State capital will have electric buses,” he said. Mr. Raju also underscored the need to establish EV charging stations in all government offices.

Mr. Krishnankutty said that the shift to sustainable energy solutions can help reduce household expenses. By inducting e-vehicles, the KSEB has set a model in this regard, he said. Replacing its fossil fuel vehicle fleet with electric vehicles will save the State power utility Rs 15 lakh in fuel bills, he said.

Source: The Hindu