EKA Mobility and HPCL Partner to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure Across India

In a significant move toward decarbonizing India’s transport sector, electric commercial vehicle (EV) manufacturer EKA Mobility has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). This strategic partnership aims to revolutionize the country’s green mobility landscape by leveraging HPCL’s massive retail network to build a robust EV charging and battery swapping ecosystem.

Strengthening India’s EV Ecosystem

The collaboration between EKA Mobility and the "Maharatna" oil major, HPCL, focuses on addressing the primary concern of commercial EV operators: range anxiety and infrastructure availability. Under this agreement, EKA’s expertise in electric commercial vehicle manufacturing will integrate with HPCL’s energy infrastructure. The goal is to develop, pilot, and scale sustainable mobility solutions across the nation, specifically targeting the commercial vehicle segment.

Key Features of the EKA-HPCL Partnership

The MoU covers several critical areas of the green energy value chain :

• Widespread Charging Networks : Utilization of HPCL’s 24,400+ retail outlets to install high-speed charging stations for electric buses and trucks.

• Battery Swapping Stations : Deployment of battery swapping facilities to ensure minimal downtime for commercial fleets.

• Green Hydrogen Exploration : Joint research into green hydrogen as a future fuel for long-haul sustainable logistics.

• Sustainable Logistics : Development of integrated solutions to make the supply chain more eco-friendly.

Utilizing the HP e-Charge Network

HPCL has already established a significant lead in the EV space through its HP e-Charge brand, which currently operates over 5,300 charging stations and 150 battery swapping stations nationwide. “HPCL’s existing footprint provides a strong platform for accelerated infrastructure deployment,” noted industry experts. For EKA Mobility—backed by global partners like Mitsui Co., Ltd. (Japan) and VDL Groep (Netherlands)—this partnership is a vital step in creating a 360-degree ecosystem that includes manufacturing, after-sales service, and energy supply.

Why This Matters for India’s Green Transition

India is currently the world’s third-largest automotive market, and the government is aggressively pushing for a transition to zero-emission vehicles. By focusing on commercial vehicles—which contribute a disproportionate amount of carbon emissions—EKA and HPCL are targeting the most impactful area of the transport sector.

This collaboration is expected to provide the "foundation" for widespread EV adoption, making it easier for logistics companies and state transport undertakings to switch from diesel to electric.