Kerala EV Users to Pay 30 Percent More for Charging at Night

Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) orders a hike in nighttime charging for electric vehicles (EV) in charging stations by 30 percent.

May 12, 2025. By News Bureau

The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has issued new rules updating the Time of Day (ToD) billing for electric vehicles, which will make charging at night 30 percent more expensive.

KSERC has divided the charging exercise into two time zones. The first time zone, called the ‘solar period’, falls between 9 am and 4 pm. However, on charging EVs between 4 pm and 9 am, known as a ‘non-solar period’, 30 percent more than the standard tariff will be charged from June 1, 2025. The tariff changes apply to only the charging stations, not to home chargers.

Kerala has three zones for ToD billing. It starts from 6 am to 6 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm, and finally, 10 pm to 6 am. The regulatory commission decided to revise the charges after the new guidelines were released by the central government.

The Kerala state government has hiked the night charging to promote daytime charging and discourage charging at night. Mostly, charging stations use daytime solar energy. The power consumed will go to waste if not used. Only 53 percent of the power is supplied to the grid between 4 pm and 9 am.

The decision to charge 30 percent more is being looked upon as the state government discourages nighttime charging. On average, people use their EVs during the day and leave them for charging at night. Those with adaptable charging schedules will be able to avail of the solar period discount, further reducing their EV operating expenses.

Tags:

Sustainable Transport

Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission

Electric vehicles in kerala

Kerala state government