Jio-bp partners with BluSmart to establish EV charging infrastructure

Jio-bp, the fuels and mobility joint venture between Reliance Industries Limited and bp, today announced it has partnered with BluSmart, India's first and largest all-electric ride-hailing platform, to build a network of commercial large-scale EV charging stations.

Through the Jio digital platform, the joint venture will utilize RIL's footprint over 21 states.

As part of the collaboration, Jio-bp will set up charging stations for passenger electric vehicles and fleets across the country, while BluSmart will handle the electric mobility demands.

These EV charging stations, which will be located in metropolitan areas, will be able to accommodate a minimum of 30 vehicles in the first phase of deployment in the National Capital Region.

"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 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," the company said in a joint statement

In the Delhi NCR, BluSmart's all-electric fleet provides zero-surge and zero-tailpipe pollution ride-hailing service. It also has corporate partnerships for delivering electric mobility for fleet needs. The company now intends to expand its network to include additional major Indian cities.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Jio-bp and are committed to taking 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.

Jio-bp is actively engaging with top OEMs, technology, and platform players to set up its EV fixed charging stations with a format-specific strategy for all vehicle categories as an integrated EV infrastructure player.

Jio-bp will bring the best of BP's worldwide electrification learnings and apply them to the Indian market to create a unique customer experience that delights customers.

“Jio-bp will 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,” according to Harish C Mehta, chief executive officer, Jio-bp.

“In line with the New Energy vision of RIL, our Advanced Mobility teams are working tirelessly to create cleaner and smarter ways for Indians to travel. Our partnership with BluSmart is a significant milestone in our vision of offering new age low-carbon emitting, cleaner, and more affordable options,” Mehta added.

Following initial agreements in 2019, the bp and RIL teams have collaborated extensively over the last three months in a trying climate to successfully finalize the acquisition. RIL owns a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, while bp has paid RIL $1 billion for a 49% stake.

bp and RIL hope the business grows quickly to address India's rapidly increasing energy and mobility demands. Over the next 20 years, India is predicted to be the world's fastest-growing fuels market, with the number of passenger cars in the country expected to be nearly six-fold.

Around the next five years, they plan to extend its fuel retailing network from over 1,400 locations to up to 5,500. This rapid expansion will necessitate a four-fold increase in service station personnel, from 20,000 to 80,000 during the next four years.

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