DRIVING THE FUTURE: THE RISE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN KERALA

Abstract

The swift and widespread acceptance of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Kerala illustrates a dramatic change. For an increase in the business, Indian government provide subsidies to the buyer. There seems to be an affinity towards EVs especially with young, literate men in the 2Wheeler segment and brands like Ather, Ola leading in the market, according to studies. Weight is placed on the desire for lower operating costs and some government incentives, with environmental concerns as an underlying thing. While EV users are very satisfied with their vehicles, there remain challenges, including relatively high upfront costs, limited charging infrastructure and service centres, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions. Socio-economic drivers such as increasing fuel prices and beneficial environmental consequences additionally incentivise. The only real barrier of EV adoption is technical issues such as the long charging time and limited range etc. Cutting-edge technologies including wireless charging and light weight vehicles will make a difference, if combined with appropriate policy interventions in effort to overcome these challenges and drive a faster transition to sustainable mobility in Kerala. The factors, barriers and potentials of electric vehicle uptake in Kerala are discusses in this paper, providing with suggestions for policy makers, industry and environmental communities on how to promote a greener ecosystem for transportation sector on the state.