Kerala Invites Charge Point Operators for EV Public Charging Stations under PM E-DRIVE Scheme

Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd. (KSEBL) has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) inviting proposals from eligible Charge Point Operators (CPOs) for the deployment of Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EVPCS) under Category C of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), aims to expand EV infrastructure across high-traffic locations including city streets, shopping malls, market complexes, highways, and expressways with unrestricted public access.

The EoI marks a significant step in Kerala’s efforts to boost EV adoption and strengthen public charging networks. KSEBL, acting as the State Nodal Agency (SNA), will facilitate the process by verifying the eligibility of CPOs, compiling proposals, and submitting them to MHI for final approval and subsidy release.

The Board emphasised that submission through the portal does not guarantee approval or financial assistance, as final evaluation and subsidy sanctioning remain the prerogative of the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

The online portal for submission will be closed by 5 January 2026. Only established CPOs engaged in EV charging infrastructure development and management can apply. Applicants must have at least 10 operational fast charging stations in India, each with one CCS-II DC charger of 30 kW or higher, operational for at least six months. CPOs must demonstrate full digital integration of their network through a Central Management System (CMS), provide a mobile application on Google Play and Apple App Store for users, and ensure chargers are onboarded to the National Unified Hub post-commissioning. Chargers must support app-less payment and comply with any smart charging regulations.

The mobile app must have been live by 1 January 2025. Compliance with the Operational Guidelines for Deployment of EV Public Charging Stations under PM E-DRIVE Scheme is mandatory.

Each CPO can propose up to 50 Category C locations. Proposals must include accurate GPS coordinates, geo-tagged photographs, site sketches, land feasibility reports, charger specifications, and upstream infrastructure cost estimates. Land must be owned or leased for a minimum of five years, and No Objection Certificates (NOC) from landowners must be submitted in the prescribed format. All proposals will undergo verification by KSEBL, and failure to meet any criteria will lead to automatic disqualification.

Submissions will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference given to stations with chargers of 100 kW or higher and locations with high EV density or strategic connectivity, such as major highways, commercial hubs, or transit corridors.

KSEBL will also facilitate the subsidy disbursement workflow for MHI-approved locations, while MHI retains full authority for final evaluation, approval, and release of subsidies. Interested CPOs are encouraged to participate in the pre-bid consultation for clarifications and to ensure compliance with all scheme requirements.

This EoI represents a critical push towards strengthening Kerala’s EV ecosystem, improving public charging accessibility, and leveraging the PM E-DRIVE Scheme’s INR 2,000 crore allocation for public charging infrastructure nationwide.