Kerala is accelerating its drive towards sustainable freight transport, with the state's Power Minister highlighting the critical role of electric trucks in combating air pollution and carbon emissions. The push forms a key part of the state's broader electric mobility strategy.
Minister Calls for Electrification of Freight Transport
Power Minister K Krishnankutty emphasized that electric freight vehicles, including trucks, are essential for reducing air pollution and controlling carbon emissions. He made these remarks during a workshop titled ‘Driving Kerala's E-Truck Ecosystem with the PM E-DRIVE Scheme'. The event was jointly organized by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) to deliberate on the necessary infrastructure for electric freight vehicles.
The minister pointed to the state's significant progress in electric vehicle adoption, revealing that more than 3 lakh electric vehicles have been registered in Kerala. He attributed this success to the state government's electric vehicle policy launched in 2019, noting that over 10% of new vehicle sales are now electric.
New Portal for Charging Infrastructure Launched
In a concrete step to support this transition, Minister Krishnankutty inaugurated a new web portal developed by KSEB. This portal is designed to invite expressions of interest from individuals and businesses interested in setting up charging points on private land. This initiative falls under the central government's PM E-Drive scheme, aiming to decentralize and rapidly expand the charging network.
With the development of new ports and logistics parks in the state, road freight movement is projected to rise substantially. "It is in this context that we aim to ensure both industrial profit and environmental protection through the electrification of medium and heavy-duty trucks," the minister explained, outlining the dual economic and ecological benefits of the shift.
Expert View: Electrification Boosts Competitiveness
Echoing the minister's sentiments, Krithika P R, programme lead at ICCT, provided an expert perspective. She stated that freight electrification is not only critical for protecting the environment but also for enhancing the competitiveness of India's freight logistics sector. This highlights how green technology can align with economic efficiency and global market positioning.
The concerted efforts by the state government, KSEB, and research bodies like ICCT signal a structured move towards building a comprehensive ecosystem for electric freight in Kerala. The focus on infrastructure, particularly charging stations on private land, addresses a key hurdle in the adoption of larger electric commercial vehicles.
