Tata Power and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) have announced signing an agreement for setting up commercial-scale EV charging stations at HPCL retail outlets and other locations across India.

Tata Power and HPCL have agreed to collaborate in planning, development and operation of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, which includes not only e-cars, but e-rickshaws, e-bikes and e-buses. Both entities also intend to explore areas of opportunity and collaboration in the renewable energy space, Tata Power said in the statement.

“By servicing electric vehicles through the proposed charging stations across India, Tata Power would play a crucial role in enabling a stronger penetration of EVs in the country, thus fulfilling our commitment to power India’s future in an environmentally sustainable way,” Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power, said.

According to Rajnish Mehta, Executive Director, Corporate Strategy Planning and Business Development, HPCL, range anxiety is a major impediment to electric vehicles adoption in the country and it needs to be addressed through establishment of a nationwide charging infrastructure.

“We believe that a robust network of charging stations is critical for market acceptability of EVs, which will also ensure last mile connectivity and, thereby, facilitate widespread adoption of EVs,” he said.

Mehta added that HPCL intends to leverage on the company’s vast marketing infrastructure network, which includes retail outlets and other locations for setting up of electric vehicle charging stations on a pan-India basis.