Electric truck maker EKA Mobility has teamed up with oil giant Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited. The two companies signed an MoU this week to work together on charging infrastructure and clean energy projects.
The deal makes practical sense. HPCL runs over 24,400 fuel stations across the country. EKA builds commercial electric vehicles. Combining these elements results in a ready-made network for EV charging.
What the Partnership Covers
Both companies plan to explore multiple areas. Electric mobility and charging stations top the list. But they’re also looking at battery swapping, green hydrogen, and sustainable logistics.
HPCL isn’t new to this space. The company already operates more than 5,300 EV charging points under its HP e-Charge brand. This partnership could push that number much higher, especially for commercial vehicles.
Battery swapping is part of the plan, too. For trucks and buses that can’t afford hours of downtime, swapping empty batteries for full ones makes business sense. HPCL’s retail locations could host these facilities where needed.
Why Commercial EVs Need This
Personal EV owners can charge at home overnight. Fleet operators don’t have that luxury. Their vehicles run all day and need reliable charging options along highways and in cities.
That’s the gap this partnership aims to fill. EKA brings its knowledge of commercial EV requirements. HPCL brings real estate and energy expertise. Together, they could create infrastructure that actually works for trucking and logistics companies.
Timing Works in Their Favour
India is pushing hard on clean transportation. Policy support for electric commercial vehicles has picked up over the past year. State and central governments want fewer diesel trucks on roads.
For HPCL, this partnership fits a larger strategy. Oil companies worldwide are hedging their bets as fuel demand patterns shift. Investing in EV infrastructure now could pay off as more fleets go electric.
For EKA Mobility, access to HPCL’s network removes a significant hurdle. Customers buying electric trucks worry about charging availability. This deal gives them one less thing to stress about.
