In a significant step towards industrial development in Kerala's capital district, an electric vehicle (EV) research and industrial park is set to be established at Vilappilsala.

The park, slated to become the state's first dedicated facility focused on the research and manufacturing of electric car components and designs, will be located on a 23-acre site owned by Trivandrum Engineering Science and Technology Research Park (TrEST), a state govt institution.

As the first step, TrEST has issued a request for proposal to identify consultants for the park's conceptual master plan and detailed project report.

This EV industrial park will focus on research, development, and manufacturing of components such as batteries, motors, controllers, and charging systems.

According to Shalij PR, CEO of TrEST Park, work is progressing to have the park operational by December 2025. "Once the consultant is finalized, they will be given two months to submit the master plan and DPR. Based on their recommendations, we will initiate construction tenders," he stated. Shalij added that the park will accommodate both large corporations and start-ups, and with its proximity to Vizhinjam Port, it will benefit from efficient import and export capabilities for EV components.

The TrEST Park will come up on the land adjacent to the proposed campus of Kerala Technology University in Vilappilsala, where the state govt had previously allocated 100 acres of land, 50 acres of which are for TrEST. Of these, 23 acres have been earmarked for the new EV industrial park.

As per the bid document, the state govt has formed an electric vehicle consortium comprising the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing in Thiruvananthapuram, Travancore Titanium Products Ltd, and TrEST. This collaboration is aimed at fostering a supportive ecosystem for EV research, design, development, and manufacturing within the state.

The selected consulting firm will also be tasked with attracting companies and start-ups from the fields of e-mobility, aerospace, defence, logistics, and medical devices to the park. Experience in these sectors, along with expertise in setting up industrial parks, is among the criteria for eligibility. The deadline for submitting bids is November 22, with the opening scheduled for November 28.

"This is the first project in Kerala focused on electric vehicle component manufacturing, and it will drive the capital's development. With the Vizhinjam Port and the outer ring road nearby, this park will attract major global companies to the region," said IB Satheesh, MLA of Kattakada. The EV park will adopt a hub-and-spoke model, with Vilappilsala as the primary center for research and prototyping. As demand scales, larger manufacturing units will be developed in nearby regions.

To learn more about the electric vehicle ecosystem and meet the key industry leaders, click here.