Thiruvananthapuram: The Thiruvananthapuram RTO (KL 01) has topped the state in vehicle registrations. Data from M Parivahan and the Motor Vehicles Department shows 37,730 new registrations. The capital stays ahead of Ernakulam and Kozhikode in overall numbers, with the rise in four-wheelers and electric vehicles pointing to shifting mobility patterns and growing purchasing power.Of Thiruvananthapuram RTO”s recent registrations, around 11,000–12,000 are four-wheelers, while electric vehicles account for an estimated 3,000–3,500 units, driven largely by electric scooters and a gradual uptake of electric cars. The district had earlier recorded over 10,000 new cars in a single year, underlining the consistent growth in private vehicle ownership. Two-wheelers, however, remain the dominant category overall. Ernakulam RTO (KL-07) recorded approximately 28,394 new registrations, of which 7,000–8,000 are four-wheelers and an estimated 2,500–3,000 are electric vehicles, reflecting strong urban demand and a growing appetite for cleaner mobility options.Kozhikode RTO (KL-11) added nearly 21,353 new vehicles, including 4,500–5,000 four-wheelers. EV adoption here is comparatively modest at 1,500–2,000 units, though the segment is gradually gaining ground.An MVD official said the trend mirrors broader socio-economic changes. “The increase in four-wheelers and electric vehicles shows a shift in consumer preference and improved purchasing capacity. However, it also raises serious concerns about congestion and the urgent need for sustainable public transport,” the official said.Officials attribute the rise in four-wheelers to increasing disposable incomes and rapid suburban expansion. The steady growth of EVs, meanwhile, is linked to fuel price concerns and policy incentives, though adoption rates have seen some fluctuation. Behind the registration numbers lies a more pressing problem—a widening gap in public transport connectivity that is pushing more residents towards private vehicles. Traffic congestion has intensified across key corridors in all three cities, particularly in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. The uncertainty over the proposed Metro rail project firther is also expected to accelerate private vehicle purchases in the coming months, adding further pressure to an already strained road network.
