In a landmark move towards bolstering India’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEM) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This collaborative effort seeks to establish public charging stations across the country, capitalizing on BPCL’s extensive fuel station network and TPEM’s insights from the vast fleet of over 1.15 lakh Tata EVs currently navigating Indian roads.
BPCL’s Commitment to Sustainable Mobility
BPCL, a Fortune 500 and Maharatna Energy Company, stands committed to a sustainable future. With a nationwide network of over 21,000 fuel stations, the company aims to install 7,000 electric vehicle charging stations by the next year. This ambitious goal aligns with BPCL’s comprehensive decarbonization strategy, which includes initiatives to convert conventional retail outlets into energy stations.
Enhancing EV User Experience
As part of this strategic collaboration, BPCL and TPEM plan to set up charging stations strategically located at places frequently visited by Tata EV owners. This move aims to enhance the overall experience for electric vehicle users, addressing practical concerns related to charging convenience.
An innovative aspect of this partnership is the exploration of a convenient payment system through a co-branded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) card. This initiative seeks to simplify the payment process for Tata EV users, fostering greater adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
Addressing Range Concerns: BPCL’s Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Highway Corridors
To alleviate range concerns for electric vehicle owners, BPCL has initiated over 90 Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Highway Corridors across the nation. These corridors, spanning more than 30,000 kilometers, ensure a fast-charging station approximately every 100 kilometers on both sides of major highways, enhancing EV convenience and accessibility.
According to Santosh Kumar, Executive Director In charge Retail, BPCL said “BPCL is constantly striving to align with the nation’s vision to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040. BPCL steadily moving closer to goal to converting 7000 of our conventional retail outlets into energy stations which is a part of a comprehensive decarbonization strategy to support and prioritize sustainable initiatives. BPCL has already set up a very large network of fast charging stations across highways. EV is a field of collaboration and we believe that the joining hands with TPEM shall take the EV game of BPCL and TPEM to the next level.”
Studies from around the world consistently highlight the critical role of ubiquitous and convenient charging infrastructure in driving EV adoption. The collaboration between TPEM and BPCL is poised to expedite the growth of charging infrastructure in India, contributing significantly to mainstreaming EV adoption in the country.
