1. Jio-BP & Mahindra join hands.

Jio-BP will install DC fast-chargers for EVs at Mahindra showrooms & service centres. The initial plan is to set up EV chargers in 16 cities.

Jio-BP’s ‘Pulse’ EV charging network can be accessed through the company’s app. Jio-BP’s database and cashless charging service is likely to be integrated into Mahindra EV’s infotainment & navigation systems.

Mahindra has elaborate plans of making a mark in the Indian EV market with a number of advanced electric SUVs in the pipeline. The company’s 1st electric SUV ‘XUV400 EV’ will be launched in January 2023. Two more EVs, tentatively named ‘e.8’ & ‘e.9’ are slated to be launched in 2024.

The XUV and BE (Born Electric)-branded SUVs will be based on the EV platform from the Volkswagen MEB toolkit.

The Reliance Industries & BP joint venture is aggressively expanding its Jio-BP Pulse branded EV charging network by setting up charging facilities at multiple cities & highways.

2. Indian Railways to contribute to the country’s EV ecosystem.

Indian Railways plans to replace its fuel-powered fleet with EVs by 2025. The Railways will also establish an affordable & accessible charging infrastructure for passengers and the general public.
There are plans to phase out 20% of the fleet by December 2023, 60% by 2024 and 100% by 2025.

EV charging stations will be installed at these locations by Charging Point Operators (CPOs). The railways will determine the parking fee for using the charging infrastructure. The CPOs would provide access to all compatible EV owners via a mobile app allowing users to pay for services digitally.

There are plans to provide EV charging facilities at railway stations in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune & Surat by December 2024. The move is aimed at significantly curtailing the use of fuel-powered conventional vehicles by 2025 for the Indian Railways' internal use.

3. Indian Army to acquire EVs and set up EV charging infrastructure.

Indian Army will procure electric vehicles for select units and as per existing plans, 25% light vehicles, 38% buses and 48% motorcycles in select units will be replaced with EVs.

In order to support an easily accessible EV charging network in the Army units, a strategically placed EV charging infrastructure is being planned.

Proposed EV charging stations will have 1 fast charger & 2-3 slow chargers. The Army is also planning to set up solar-powered charging stations.

4. Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) ties up with Hindustan Petroleum to supply EV charging stations.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has entrusted Bharat Electronics Ltd with installing EV charging infrastructure at 4 highways. Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) will partner with Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) to set up a fast charging station on the Chandigarh-Shimla Highway.

BEL will set up the EV charging station at HP petrol pump near Pinjore on the Chandigarh-Shimla Highway. The charging station will have two guns of 25kW each (CCS2).

At present, BEL’s defence business contributes to around 80% of its annual sales. The company has been continuously exploring avenues in non-defence areas such as charging stations & energy storage for diversification.

5. A new player in the Indian EV charging market.

Toronto-based ‘Hygge Energy’ (pronounced ‘hoo-guh’), which was incubated at Tech Mahindra’s internal entrepreneurship program in 2015, has announced its entry into the Indian EV charging arena. The company has already set up an entity in India called ‘Hygge Energy India Services Pvt Ltd’. It will begin operations starting January 2023.

Currently, the company has begun hiring for its business in India. The aggregator aims to have 5 lakh charging stations under its platform in 5 years.

Hygge will invest Rs.110 crores for its Indian operations.

For complete EV charging solutions, explore the Kazam website.