KOCHI: Before the announcement in the Union Budget, Kerala has implemented battery swapping, which is the fast replacement of charged batteries for electric vehicles. 10 battery swapping stations were started in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram districts a year ago in collaboration with the private sector.

Hundreds of autorickshaws are now running using this system. Battery replacement system for two and three-wheelers will be implemented first. An autorickshaw can travel 80 km on a single charge and a bike 80-100 km. When the charge is exhausted, the battery can be replaced from a swapping station.

It was decided in 2019 to subsidize the first 50 people who start a swapping station. The subsidy is 25 percent of the machine price or a maximum of Rs 10 lakh.

Charging fee
The card will be issued in ATM format (RFID)

You can top up at the charging station or company office

Top-ups of Rs 500 and Rs 1000

You need Rs 300 on the card
Batteries in three-wheeler and two-wheeler have a three-year warranty.

Auto's three batteries are priced at Rs 1,20,000.

Aim
Five battery replacement centres in districts in the first stage

Later in all taluks and urban areas

Challenges
Not all company vehicles' batteries can be swapped

Big investment to start the station

Battery quality not specified

Stations
Thiruvananthapuram - 4

(PMG, In front of Thampanoor Railway Station, Ulloor, Peroorkada)

Kozhikode- 6

(MD Basheer Road, Kallai Road, Cheruvannur, Civil Station, Kannur Road, Mangao)

Cost 10 lakhs
The stations are in conjunction with Sun Mobility

30 KW machine- 7.50 lakhs
Ancillary facilities- 2.50 lakhs