Politics · India Bureau
Kerala to develop NH-66 as India's first dedicated e-truck corridor
A 622-kilometre stretch of National Highway 66 spanning Kerala's entire length is being transformed into the country's first specialised corridor for electric trucks. The project will utilise central funding allocated under the Prime Minister's electric vehicle initiative.
LSN India ·
Kerala's State Electricity Board (KSEB) is spearheading development of a dedicated e-truck corridor along NH-66, extending from Thiruvananthapuram in the south to Kasaragod in the north. The 622-kilometre stretch represents an ambitious first for India's transport infrastructure, marking a significant shift towards electrification of heavy commercial vehicles.
The initiative has received backing from the central government, which has sanctioned ₹2,000 crore under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme. Project planners have confirmed that implementation costs will remain within this allocated budget, ensuring financial viability.
The e-truck corridor is expected to facilitate large-scale adoption of electric vehicles in commercial transport operations across Kerala. By establishing dedicated charging infrastructure and operational support systems along the highway, the project aims to address range anxiety and charging accessibility—key barriers to e-truck adoption in India.
The development reflects growing momentum in India's transition towards sustainable transportation. Heavy commercial vehicles account for a substantial portion of road emissions, making electrification of the truck sector critical to achieving national climate and air quality targets. Kerala's initiative could serve as a blueprint for similar projects across other major highway corridors in the country.