Tata, Reliance, Adani face off in EV charging space

As the electric mobility transition gains pace in the country, big corporate houses turn aggressive by building the charging and storage infrastructure. To keep the momentum going, Jio-bp, a joint venture of Reliance Industries and BP Plc for fuel retailing, on Tuesday announced a partnership with TVS Motor Company for creation of public EV charging infrastructure for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers in the country. Under the partnership, the customers of TVS electric vehicles are expected to get access to the Jio-bp charging network.

The network will be accessible to the outside world also. The partnership aims at creating a regular AC charging network and a DC fast-charging network, the companies said in a statement. Jio-bp is operating its EV charging and swapping stations under the brand Jio-bp pulse.

Tata Power, India's oldest private power producer, is leading the Tata group's charge as far as interest in setting up EV charging stations. It is building home charging installations in all cities to support Tata Motors' EV customers. Tata Chemicals, the world's third largest soda ash producer, is focused on cell development and local manufacturing. It is the technical partner of Tata Motors for evaluating establishment of Lithium-ion cell manufacturing plant. It has also operationalised a pilot plant for Li-ion battery recycling.

In 2013, Tata group forayed into the automotive battery business by forming a 50:50 joint venture between its parts making group company, Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd, and Japan's GS Yuasa International Ltd, a specialised manufacturer of lead acid and lithium-ion batteries. The joint venture is giving tough competition to established players like Exide and Amaron of Amara Raja Batteries with Tata Batteries. Tata AutoComp has a battery assembly plant for Nexon and Tigor.

Adani Total Gas, India's major city gas distribution company, has launched its first electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) in Ahmedabad in March. The company plans to set up 1,500 charging stations across the country. It also has plans to manufacture batteries and move further to manufacturing of electric vehicles. The company is yet to announce its larger plans. Adani group had in November last year announced a $70 billion investment plan in the new energy space for the next decade.