Kochi’s electric-auto network, created to provide last-mile connectivity from metro stations, is facing a prolonged breakdown, with 80 vehicles reportedly lying idle for about 18 months after battery failures and an unresolved government subsidy issue.
The electric autos were procured by Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) and the Kochi Municipal Corporation for operations around different metro stations. KMRL purchased 75 vehicles and the corporation purchased another 30. Of the combined 105 autos, only 25 are currently operating, according to the report.
The vehicles were handed over for operation to the Ernakulam District Auto Drivers Cooperative Society, which was formed with the participation of different trade unions. Under the operating arrangement, the society was responsible for providing drivers and paying a fixed rent to KMRL. Fares were also controlled, with drivers required to collect only the charges fixed by KMRL.
Drivers reportedly showed limited interest in the service from the beginning because of the restrictions on fares. The cooperative society spent Rs 9 lakh on operating the autos, but says the investment has turned into a loss after most of the vehicles stopped running.
A government subsidy of Rs 30,000 per auto had been announced for the project. The society has been applying for the subsidy since 2023 and has submitted representations to the Chief Minister and the Transport Minister, according to the report. No decision on releasing the amount had been taken as of the report’s publication.
The immediate operational problem is the battery failure. Drivers told the newspaper that once the battery of an electric auto fails, the vehicle becomes unusable unless the battery is repaired or replaced. The 80 non-operational autos are now parked at different locations across the city, where they are occupying space and deteriorating.
KMRL has begun issuing notices seeking the removal of vehicles left in public or institutional premises. A notice was reportedly issued for the removal of electric autos parked at the parking ground near Kaloor metro station. The action adds pressure on the cooperative society to find a solution for vehicles that have not operated for an extended period.
The dispute has left a public transport asset caught between procurement, operations, subsidy administration and battery maintenance. The vehicles were introduced to support access to the metro, but the operating model required the cooperative society to manage drivers and rentals while fares remained regulated. The subsidy promised by the government has not been released, while the society says its operating expenditure has already resulted in losses.
Drivers and the society have warned that the vehicles could deteriorate beyond economical repair if the battery problem is not addressed soon. The report said the autos may eventually have little value beyond scrap if they remain unused. Further action is expected from the authorities on the removal of the parked vehicles and the pending subsidy request.
