Tata Power & Apollo Tyres announced a partnership to install public charging stations at Apollo Tyres retail outlets throughout the country. Initially, Tata Power will install charging stations at 150 Apollo Tyres outlets. Both tyre store customers and members of the general public will be able to use these charging stations.

The Tata Power Story:

Tata Power has a presence across all the segments of EV charging & has introduced all types of chargers: DC 001, AC, Type2, Fast DC chargers up to 50kwh & up to 240kwh chargers for buses. Based on location, this classification of chargers will support EV charging for two-wheelers & four-wheelers, respectively.

Tata Power has also developed a software platform for customers and has released an app (Tata Power EZ Charge) to give its consumers a simple and easy charging experience. The app helps in locating EV charging stations, charging EVs & making bill payments online.

It has a wide charging infrastructure with more than 1,000 charging points across 200 cities under its EZ Charge brand. This network of public EV charging stations provides seamless EV charging experiences for customers across workplaces, malls, hotels, restaurants, and other public places, enabling electric mobility & freedom from range anxiety. Tata Power EZ Chargers’ ecosystem covers the entire value chain of public chargers, captive chargers, bus/ fleet chargers & home chargers.

The Apollo Tyres Story:

Apollo Tyres is taking appreciable steps towards sustainable business policies. Recently, they announced their plans of using electric cargo trucks to conduct last-mile deliveries in an effort to reduce emissions. The aim is to reduce its carbon footprint across its value chain. In the beginning, these deliveries will begin from its regional distribution center towards its multiple business partners in Bangalore.

Public Reaction:

The public took this news positively and Team-BHP, an automotive forum, received the following public statements:

• “Now this is a move which will make the charging infrastructure map denser across the country. Hope to see more such collaborations in future.”
• “Tata is very aggressive on the EV scene and this is another testimony. It’s a win-win situation for both companies. Good utilization of real estate. An Apollo outlet near my home has 4 bays close to a highway, 2 for trucks and 2 for cars. All of them are rarely utilized. Such an arrangement can be very useful.”

As an immediate effect, shares of both Tata Power & Apollo Tyres gained after the tie-up announcement.

Here’s the full press release:

“Tata Power partners with Apollo Tyres to deploy EV charging stations at its Commercial & Passenger Vehicle Zones across India. The move marks the two companies' commitment to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. With their commitment towards Green Mobility, Tata Power, one of India's largest integrated power companies & Apollo Tyres, the leading tyre manufacturer in India, have announced a strategic partnership for the deployment of public charging stations across India.”

Conclusion:

The development & availability of EV charging infrastructure is a vital requirement for the rapid adoption of electric mobility in India. The Tata Power-Apollo Tyres partnership will play a significant role in EV adoption by way of increased visibility of charging solutions across various locations.

With both companies armed with excellent knowledge of the automotive scenario in India, the expectations are high.