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Kerala is moving closer to becoming India’s first state to establish a state-led electric truck corridor along National Highway 66 (NH-66), a critical route for heavy freight movement linked to ports and industrial zones across the state.
As part of this initiative, the Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEBL), in collaboration with the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), organised a high-level workshop that brought together government officials, power utilities, electric vehicle manufacturers, and logistics operators. The objective of the workshop was to develop a comprehensive electric freight roadmap for the state.
During the event, Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty launched a dedicated web portal to streamline the implementation of the PM E-DRIVE scheme on privately owned land. The platform enables eligible Charge Point Operators to register private land parcels that meet Category C norms, simplifying land aggregation for charging infrastructure development.
Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, the central government has allocated ₹2,000 crore for developing electric truck and bus charging infrastructure along national and state highways across India. Kerala has emerged as an early mover under the programme and was among the first states to submit land proposals to the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
NH-66 serves as Kerala’s primary freight corridor, transporting industrial goods, port cargo, and construction materials. With the expansion of Vizhinjam Port and rising coastal industrial activity, freight volumes along this route are expected to grow significantly. Electrifying truck movement along NH-66 is expected to reduce pollution, lower operating costs, and enhance the competitiveness of Kerala’s export-oriented sectors.
KSEBL Chairman Minhaj Alam stated that the board’s responsibility is to translate the national programme into a reliable and scalable charging ecosystem for electric freight vehicles. Senior officials also highlighted that the state will prioritise high-capacity charging systems of 120 kW and 240 kW to support long-haul electric trucks.
Through this initiative, Kerala aims to set a national benchmark for corridor-based electric freight transition, marking a significant step towards clean mobility and sustainable transportation in India.
