Tata EV arm, HPCL join to boost charging infrastructure

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM) has teamed up with state-owned fuel marketing company Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) to develop 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations across the country by the year-end.

The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) the collaboration will leverage HPCL’s nationwide network of fuel stations and TPEM’s expertise in electric vehicle technology to set up chargers specifically targeting Tata EV customers. Customer data will be used for improvement in charger network.

While the collaboration will provide Tata EV owners better access to charging infrastructure, it would also smoothen HPCL’s path towards energy transition.  

The development of synergies between the two companies and the availability of charging infrastructure will also help expand adaption of electric vehicles by more people.

In order to make EV charging convenient and hassle-free, the two companies are also planning to introduce a co-branded RFID card.

While TPEM is the market leader of EVs in India, commanding a market share of over 68% in electric passenger vehicles, 

HPCL has a network of over 21,500 fuel stations across the country, of which 5,000 will be selected for setting up charging infrastructure in collaboration with TPEM.

Both TPEM and HPCL have been striving to expand EV charging infrastructure in the country. While TPEM has been developing an EV ecosystem in the country, HPCL has around 3,050 EV charging stations, including battery swapping stations, across the country.

Balaje Rajan, chief strategy officer at TPEM, said the availability of charging infrastructure is key to mainstreaming electric vehicles and the partnership with HPCL will play a major role in EV adoption in the country.

Debashis Chakraverty, chief general manager of retail strategy and business development of HPCL, said the collaboration of HPCL with its 21000-odd fuel stations and Tata Motors with 68 per cent share of India’s EV market, is a strategic move to expand the country’s EV ecosystem.