Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has announced the launch of 19 fast-charging electric vehicle (EV) stations at 110 fuel stations along 15 highways in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. This initiative is aimed at promoting the growth of EVs in the region and electrifying over 5,000 km of highway stretches.
BPCL is a Maharatna and a Fortune Global 500 company that has already converted 21 highways into electric corridors. By March 2023, the company plans to convert 200 highways into EV fast-charging corridors, with the goal of supporting and accelerating the growth of EVs in the country.
The corridors launched by BPCL connect important religious and tourist destinations with cities. For instance, the corridors connect Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh and Bandipur National Park in Karnataka, Ranganathaswamy Temple, Jambukeswar Temple, Vallarpadam National Shrine of Basilica, St. Antony’s Church, Koratty, and Markaz Knowledge City, among others. These corridors are expected to make travel easier and more convenient for EV users.
PS Ravi, Executive Director Incharge (Retail), inaugurated the fast-charging EV corridors. The chargers are easy to use and can be self-operated through the HelloBPCL app. BPCL has digitalized the entire EV charger locator, charger operations, and transaction process through the app for an online, hassle-free, and transparent user experience.
PS Ravi noted that the company is planning to set up over 7,000 charging stations across the country in the next two years. He also added that 30% to 40% less money needs to be spent on charging EVs compared to petrol-driven cars. Currently, one car gets charged at a time in one charging station of 30W charger.
The customers’ anxieties such as range anxiety, discovery anxiety, and charging time are addressed through the EV Fast-Charging Corridors. The customers’ need for quick in-and-out charging options is also addressed through the fast chargers. BPCL’s experience of selling fossil fuels through petrol pumps has shown that customers want quick and convenient charging options. Therefore, BPCL is launching charging stations every 100 km from Kochi to Bengaluru, on either side of the highway.
PS Ravi also noted that the growth in the EV space is very good, and the company is expecting a sizeable number of EVs on roads by 2030. With the launch of these fast-charging EV corridors, BPCL is giving a complete solution to the customer.