Kerala’s Electricity Minister, K. Krishnankutty, recently unveiled a visionary plan for the state: the establishment of a dedicated research institute focused on e-mobility. This innovative hub, he emphasized, would unite the power, transport, and industrial sectors, fostering collaboration and accelerating technological advancements in electric vehicles and infrastructure.
The Minister unveiled this forward-thinking proposal during the ‘Shoonya EV Conclave 2025,’ an event co-organized by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), NITI Aayog, and the prominent think-tank Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). Krishnankutty highlighted that such an institute would empower Kerala to stay at the forefront of emerging e-mobility technologies, ensuring these innovations directly benefit the public. He underscored the critical role of e-mobility in achieving Kerala’s ambitious goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Adding to the discussion, NITI Aayog advisor Sudhendu J. Sinha praised Kerala’s pioneering efforts in the e-mobility space, particularly its unique pole-mounted charging units, which are drawing national attention. Sinha suggested that Kerala has the potential to become a ‘nursery’ for groundbreaking e-mobility developments, with its successful innovations being adaptable and replicable across India.
The conclave also featured valuable contributions from other key figures, including K.R. Jyothilal (Additional Chief Secretary, Finance), Puneet Kumar (Additional Chief Secretary, Power), Minhaj Alam (KSEB Chairman and Managing Director), Harshil R. Meena (Anert CEO), Sajeev G. (KSEB Director, Generation), and Akshima Ghate (RMI Managing Director).