Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 Company, has launched EV Fast-Charging stations on six highways in Western India. The highways include Pune-Ahmednagar-Aurangabad, Pune-Solapur, Pune-Nashik, Pune-Kolhapur, Mumbai-Nashik, and Nashik-Shirdi, with the aim to address the range anxiety of electric vehicle owners. The fast chargers follow the CCS-2 protocol, which recharges EVs in just about 30 minutes and gives a driving range of up to 125 kilometers. BPCL has converted six highways into electric corridors, and by March 2023, the company plans to cover 200 highways with Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers under the brand eDrive, which carries the tagline Clean. Fast. Easy.
Sanjeev Agrawal, Executive Director (Engg & Automation, Retail), BPCL, said, “It’s a defining moment for BPCL to energize 6 highway corridors in Maharashtra and Goa States with commissioning of 24 CCS2 DC Fast Chargers having requisite safety measures. Now BPC commands 12 highway corridors across India to serve EV customers with an aspirational plan to cover 200 corridors in total with EV chargers at 7000 Energy Stations by 2024.”
All EV customers can use the EV fast charging stations via a pay-per-use online service. The fast chargers can be self-operated without any manual assistance though support staff will be at hand when needed. BPCL aims to reduce range, discovery, and time anxieties of current and prospective EV owners and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
Akshay Wadhwa, Head (Retail) West, BPCL, said, “Maharashtra is among the top 4 Indian states, with most electric vehicle registrations, therefore setting up the Fast EV charging infrastructure on highway in Maharashtra will support in further growth of EV in the state.”
BPCL has digitized the entire EV charger locator, charger operations, and transaction process through the HelloBPCL app for an online hassle-free and transparent user experience. The company aims to achieve similar dominance in the EV space as well through rapid proliferation of fast chargers on Highway Corridors and in Urban Markets.
Several of BPCL’s highway fuel stations also offer hygienic food through its strategic alliances with leading brands such as McDonald’s, A2B, Cube Stop, Café Coffee Day, and other local outlets. BPCL has also rolled out its chain of In & Out convenience stores at key fuel stations on highways for added convenience to its customers.