Kerala Automobiles Limited launches electric icecream carts for Milma

The Kerala Automobiles Limited (KAL), the State public sector automobile manufacturing company, on Wednesday unveiled electric icecream carts manufactured for Milma as well as its range of electric buggies and mini e-carts.

Industries Minister P. Rajeeve launched the new range of electric vehicles at a function held at the KAL facility at Aralumoodu. The key for the electric cart made for Milma, branded as Mili Cart, was handed over to Milma chairperson K.S. Mani.

Thirty vehicles were handed over as part of the first batch. Ten electric carts each will be provided to the regional cooperative milk producers’ units in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode. More e-carts will be manufactured as per Milma’s demand.

The new fleet

Among the other electric vehicles launched on Wednesday, the ‘mini e-cart’ has a capacity to carry a load of up to 150 kg. With a track width of 60 cm, it can be used to transport material even through narrow paths. It is made for use in waste collection, in building construction sites, industrial sites as well as for agricultural use. The ‘mini e-cart plus’ has a capacity of 310 kg and track width of 85 cm. Both vehicles are equipped with a tipping mechanism for easy unloading.

The ‘e-buggy 1.0’ with a capacity to carry four passengers is targeted for use inside resorts and institutions with large campuses.

The KAL had last year launched a battery-powered garbage collection cart, equipped with a garbage box and tipping mechanism. The company also plans to launch mobile food carts. The KAL, which since 1984 has manufactured over a lakh three-wheelers running on fossil fuels, ventured into electric vehicle manufacturing in 2019.

Neyyattinkara MLA K. Ansalan presided over the function in which KAL chairperson Pulluvila Stanley and other officials were present.