Jio-bp partners with BluSmart to set up EV charging infra in India

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) through its joint venture Reliance BP Mobility Ltd (RBML) has tied up with Gurugram-based BluSmart to set up electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

The two sides are likely to scale up this partnership into an investment deal that will allow BluSmart to increase its EV fleet size multiple times and offer services outside the National Capital Region (NCR).

Discussions are underway between BluSmart and the fuel and mobility joint venture between RIL and bp. BluSmart is an EV ride-hailing service provider with a fleet of more than 500 electric cars and over 300 charging stations.

RBML, which operates under the brand name Jio-bp, is also looking for active partnerships with leading OEMs, technology, and platform players for setting up its EV fixed charging stations with a format-specific approach for all vehicle categories. The company will leverage bp’s global learnings in electrification and apply them to the Indian market.

Along with BluSmart, Jio-bp will set up a network of commercial large-scale EV charging stations across the country under the arrangement announced on Thursday. Jio-bp will also set up these stations for passenger electric vehicles and fleets across the country.

BluSmart, through its all electric fleet, provides zero-surge and zero-tailpipe emission ride-hailing service in the Delhi-NCR. The company plans to expand its network into other major cities across India.

“Through this partnership, both companies will collaborate in planning, development and operation of EV charging infrastructure, at suitable locations across cities where BluSmart operates. With the first-phase roll-out will be in the National Capital Region, these EV charging stations will be capable of accommodating a minimum of 30 vehicles at each station and will be concentrated in urban areas,” said a joint statement from the companies.

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According to Harish C Mehta, chief executive officer, Jio-bp, the company plans to be at the forefront of EV infrastructure development in the country. “Leveraging bp’s learnings from the UK with bp Pulse, where they have the country’s largest EV charging network, from Germany through their Aral brand, Jio-bp intends to bring in the latest in EV technology to our consumers,” he said.

BP Pulse operates Britain’s fully integrated, end-to-end manufacturer and operator of charging infrastructure. This was after it bought Chargemaster in 2018.

The partnership with BluSmart will help offer new-age low-carbon emitting, cleaner and more affordable options, said Mehta. This would be in line with RIL’s new-energy focus under which it is also looking for advanced mobility to create low carbon transport solutions.

BluSmart operates large EV charging Superhubs powering its own EV fleet as well as offering services to others. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Jio-bp and are committed to take this strategic collaboration to greater heights. EV Superhubs are the future of EV charging as it provides seamless charging access to consumers and ride-hailing fleets and we will be jointly building some of the largest EV Superhubs in the world,” said Anmol Jaggi, co-founder and chief executive officer, BluSmart.

The joint venture would use RIL’s presence across 21 states through the Jio digital platform. Jio-bp has a target to expand its fuel retailing network to 5,500 over the next five years. To support these outlets, it has started franchise onboarding and has initiated infrastructure development at all supply locations. It has also started pilot testing of battery swap stations at over 24 select locations.

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