Bharat Petroleum and Tata Partner for 7,000 EV Chargers

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has partnered with Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEM) to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across India.

The goal of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to use BPCL’s huge fuel station network and TPEM’s experiences from over 115,000 Tata EVs on Indian roads to set up charging stations in frequently visited areas for Tata EV users. BPCL also plans to collect consumption data in order to improve the customer charging experience.

This alliance aims to improve the entire EV ownership experience across the country. Both companies are looking into introducing a streamlined payment method, maybe via a co-branded RFID card, to make transactions easier for Tata EV users and to encourage widespread EV adoption in the country.

BPCL is committed to a sustainable future and expects to add 7,000 EV charging stations by the end of the year, with a network of over 21,000 fuel stations. To address EV customers’ range issues, the business has established over 90 Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Highway Corridors covering more than 30,000 kilometers across key highways, with a charging station every 100 kilometers.

Santosh Kumar, BPCL’s Executive Director In Charge Retail, stressed the company’s commitment to India’s net-zero carbon emission ambition by converting traditional retail shops into energy stations, supporting sustainable initiatives, and developing fast-charging infrastructure across highways.

TPEM, holding a dominant market share of over 71% in electric passenger vehicles in India, boasts insights from their extensive fleet of over 115,000 Tata EVs.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., highlighted the importance of widespread charging infrastructure for accelerating EV adoption and combating air quality issues in Indian cities. The partnership with BPCL signifies their joint commitment to fostering a robust EV charging ecosystem.

This collaboration aims to replicate global case studies, showcasing that accessible charging infrastructure drives EV adoption. The partnership between BPCL and TPEM is expected to expedite the growth of charging infrastructure in India, playing a pivotal role in mainstreaming EV adoption across the country.