Kerala aims to attract global investment in electric vehicles, sees Thiruvananthapuram as automotive technology hub

Thiruvananthapuram, August 10 (KNN) As part of a strategic move to become a leader in the growing electric vehicle (EV) sector, Kerala is actively seeking investments from both domestic and international players.

The southern Indian state, already a leader in electric vehicle adoption, is now looking to transform its capital, Thiruvananthapuram, into a hub for cutting-edge automotive technology.

Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeeve revealed the state’s ambitious plans while talking to reporters in Chennai during a promotional tour of the upcoming Global Investors Meet in Kerala, scheduled for February next year.

The event was the first of twelve planned road shows to showcase investment opportunities in Kerala to industrialists from various cities in India and international representatives.

“In the electric vehicle sales sector, Kerala is number one. We have created a robust ecosystem and a comprehensive electric charging infrastructure mechanism. We are currently in talks with a few companies to set up manufacturing units in the electric vehicle sector,” said Minister Rajeeve.

He also added that Mahindra, one of India’s leading auto giants, is scheduled to visit Kerala next week for high-level talks. Moreover, several foreign companies have expressed interest in the state’s growing electric vehicle market.

Kerala’s proactive approach comes amid fierce competition from other Indian states that are also seeking global investment in the EV segment. However, Kerala’s unique position as a leader in EV adoption, coupled with its strategic focus on technology, gives it a competitive edge.

Recognising the state’s limitations in hosting large-scale car manufacturing plants, Minister Rajeeve highlighted Kerala’s potential to support the industry with advanced automotive technology. “Several automotive companies are already operating in Kerala, providing technological support.

While large-scale production may be more feasible in other states, we are determined to transform Thiruvananthapuram into an automotive technology hub,” he said.

Kerala is particularly interested in companies from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and the United States, focusing on 22 priority sectors including electric vehicles, aerospace, defence, artificial intelligence, robotics, design and medical devices.

The state’s strong human resources, as well as its expertise in sectors beyond tourism, such as medical equipment and spice processing, further enhance its investment appeal.

“We contribute 20 per cent of the country’s turnover in the medical devices sector and are a global hub for spice processing. We are also introducing new policies in logistics, exports and environmental, social and governance (ESG) to attract ESG and green energy investments,” Rajeeve emphasised.

As Kerala prepares for the Global Investors Meet, the state’s proactive approach and strategic initiatives are expected to garner significant interest from domestic and international investors, potentially laying the foundation for Kerala to emerge as a key player in the global electric vehicle industry and beyond.

(KNN Office)