The Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEBL) has taken a major step to strengthen the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in the state by issuing an Expression of Interest (EoI) for setting up Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EV PCS). This initiative is part of the central government’s PM E-DRIVE scheme and specifically targets Category C locations, which include city streets, shopping malls, market complexes, and highways that are open to the public. The move aims to expand the EV charging network and provide convenient access for EV users across Kerala.
As the designated State Nodal Agency (SNA) for the scheme, KSEBL is responsible for collecting proposals from eligible Charge Point Operators (CPOs) and submitting them to the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) for approval and subsidy disbursement. The scheme offers an attractive financial incentive, providing an 80 percent subsidy on upstream infrastructure costs. This includes expenses related to transformers, cables, switchgear, and associated civil works. However, it is important to note that the subsidy does not cover the EV charger hardware itself under this category.
The selection process for the scheme is competitive and time-sensitive, as MHI allocates subsidies to states on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested CPOs must meet specific eligibility criteria. Companies applying under this program must already have at least ten operational public fast charging stations in India. Each station should be equipped with a minimum 30 kW DC CCS-II charger that has been in use for at least six months. Additionally, the CPO must operate its own Central Management System (CMS) for real-time monitoring and provide a mobile application that is publicly accessible for EV users. Each operator is allowed to propose a maximum of fifty locations under this category.
Financially, the EoI specifies that there is no processing fee for submitting proposals. While the document outlines the subsidy structure and the requirement for a DISCOM Demand Note to estimate infrastructure costs, it does not provide specific amounts for Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) or Performance Bank Guarantees (PBG). Key responsibilities, such as securing land rights for at least five years and ensuring technical compliance, remain with the CPO.
Important dates related to the EoI include the commencement of the online portal on December 22, 2025, at 3:00 PM IST. A pre-bid consultation will be held online on December 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM IST, and the portal will close for submissions on January 5, 2026, at 3:00 PM IST. All applications must be submitted exclusively through the designated online portal at https://pmedrivekerala.kseb.in, as offline submissions will not be accepted. KSEBL will conduct an initial eligibility verification before forwarding shortlisted proposals to the MHI, which has the final authority to sanction funds.
This initiative by KSEBL under the PM E-DRIVE scheme is expected to significantly enhance the EV charging infrastructure in Kerala, supporting the state’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation.
