HPCL and Tata Join Forces to Build Nationwide EV Charging Network

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), a unit of Tata Motors, has announced a strategic partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to establish a nationwide network of 5,000 public charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of 2024.

Leveraging Existing Networks

• The collaboration will leverage HPCL’s extensive network of over 21,500 fuel stations across the country.
• TPEM’s insights from over 1.2 lakh Tata EVs on Indian roads will help identify locations frequently visited by Tata EV owners for setting up charging stations.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

• TPEM and HPCL have signed an MoU to formalize their collaboration in building the charging infrastructure.
• The companies are also exploring the introduction of a co-branded RFID card to provide a convenient and hassle-free payment system for EV charging.

HPCL’s EV Charging Ambitions

• HPCL aims to install 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations by December 2024, leveraging its extensive fuel station network.

Strategic Importance

• TPEM Chief Strategy Officer Balaje Rajan emphasized the partnership’s significance in advancing India’s EV ecosystem, where the growth of charging infrastructure plays a pivotal role.
• The collaboration is essential for facilitating infrastructure development to support the expanding EV customer base.

Enabling Strategic Expansion

• HPCL Chief General Manager (Retail Strategy & BD) Debashis Chakraverty stated that the alliance will enable the PSU to leverage Tata Motors’ vehicle base for strategic expansion in EV charging infrastructure at locations with higher charging demand.

The HPCL-Tata collaboration represents a significant step towards building a robust and widespread EV charging network in India, addressing one of the key challenges in the adoption of electric vehicles. By combining their strengths and resources, the partners aim to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility and support the growth of the EV ecosystem in the country.