Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEM), a subsidiary of Tata Motors focused on electric vehicles for passengers, has signed an MOU with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) to collaborate in establishing public charging stations across India. The collaboration will leverage HPCL’s widespread fuel station network and TPEM’s insights from over 1.2 lakh Tata EVs on Indian roads, to set up chargers at locations frequently visited by Tata EV owners. Additionally, HPCL will gather insights on charger usage to improve the customer experience.
This agreement between TPEM and HPCL aims to explore synergies between the two companies. Its goal is to encourage more people to adopt electric vehicles in India. The effort seeks to improve the experience of EV owners across the country. The two companies are also exploring the introduction of a convenient payment system. Moreover, this will be through a co-branded RFID card, which will make the charging experience hassle-free.
While TPEM is the market leader of EVs in India, commanding a market share of over 68% in electric passenger vehicles. HPCL boasts a nationwide network of over 21,500 fuel stations and is committed to a sustainable future. Furthermore, HPCL aims to install 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations by December 2024. TPEM, with four products, spearheads India’s EV ecosystem, from pioneering EV stores to collaborating with charge point operators for infrastructure. Moreover, on the other side, HPCL has installed a total of 3,050 EV charging stations, including battery swapping stations, across the country.
Commenting on this partnership, Balaje Rajan, Chief Strategy Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. said, “As the adoption of EVs increases, the availability of widespread and dependable charging infrastructure will play a crucial role in making EVs mainstream in India. This strategic partnership with HPCL emphasizes our dedication to advancing India’s EV ecosystem. The growth of charging infrastructure plays a pivotal role in this endeavor. Moreover, this collaboration is essential for facilitating infrastructure development to support the expanding EV customer base. This partnership has the potential to transform the charging infrastructure landscape in the country. Leveraging TPEM’s extensive insights into EV usage and HPCL’s extensive nationwide network.”
According to Debashis Chakraverty, Chief General Manager, Retail Strategy & BD, HPCL, “HPCL with its 21000+ fuel stations has entered into an alliance with Tata Motors that commands 68% market share in Indian EV market. Through this alliance, HPCL shall leverage Tata Motors’ vehicle base. Moreover, our strategic expansion in EV Charging infrastructure aims to meet high demand, reduce range anxiety, and facilitate widespread accessibility.”
Case studies from across the world show that ubiquitous and convenient charging infrastructure is a prerequisite for driving EV adoption. Growth in charging infrastructure results in exponential growth in EV adoption as well. The collaboration of two top companies will undoubtedly propel India’s EV growth into its next phase effectively.
