KOCHI: In stark contrast to proactive measures seen in Maharashtra, where the Bombay High Court ordered housing societies to allow installation of personal EV charging points, Kerala EV owners continue to face severe challenges due to inaction by the authorities. Despite a directive from the Kerala High Court in August 2022 urging the state government to draft norms for installing EV charging points in apartment complexes, nearly three years on, little has changed on the ground.
Housing societies have largely barred residents from installing charging units on their premises, forcing EV owners to rely on public charging stations that are often non-functional or charge wildly varying rates – with unit prices differing by as much as 75 per cent between different providers.
One frustrated EV owner’s experience underscores the crisis. After picking up his son from Kochi airport late at night – his son arriving from a long-haul flight from Australia – the owner planned to top up his EV’s battery on the way back home from airport.
Whither functioning charging stations?
Instead, he was forced to drive around in search of a functioning charging station with his son who was yearning to reach home. For three to four excruciating hours, he and his tired son crisscrossed areas from Kochi airport towards key hubs like Muttom near Alwaye and Kalamassery, only to find that no charging centre was operational.
By the time they finally reached home at around 4 a.m., the car’s battery was nearly depleted, and the ordeal had taken a heavy toll on both father and son.
While the Bombay High Court’s verdict in Maharashtra compelled cooperative housing societies to facilitate EV charging installations – and even directed the state government to set clear rules – Kerala’s government appears to be asleep at the wheel.
Disparate pricing
EV owners in Kerala are literally running from pillar to post in search of functioning charging stations or reasonably priced charging options. The lack of uniformity in charging infrastructure not only undermines the government’s promotional EV policies but also leaves buyers grappling with practical hurdles that could discourage further adoption.
As government incentives and financial support continue to promote EV sales in the national interest of environment protection, the disconnect between policy and on-ground implementation is becoming a major issue for Kerala’s urban residents.
Without timely intervention to mandate the installation of home charging points in housing societies and streamline the operational standards of public charging stations, the state risks stalling its progress towards a greener, more sustainable transport future.
