Long Distance EV Travel to Get Easier: RoadGrid Raises ₹12 Cr to Build Nationwide Universal Charging Network

One of the biggest hurdles preventing Indian electric vehicle (EV) buyers from taking their vehicles on long highway trips is the lack of reliable charging infrastructure. Addressing this "range anxiety" head-on, EV technology startup RoadGrid has raised ₹12 Crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV).

This capital injection is not just a business milestone; it is a major step toward creating a "seamless and sustainable" charging ecosystem that could make inter city EV travel a reality for millions of Indians.

Solving the "Universal" Problem

Currently, EV owners often struggle with charger compatibility and finding working stations outside major metros. RoadGrid aims to solve this with its patented universal EV chargers.

Unlike standard chargers that may be restricted to specific vehicle types, RoadGrid’s technology is designed to work across two wheelers, three wheelers, and four wheelers. This universality is crucial for long distance travel, ensuring that whether you ride an electric motorcycle or drive an electric SUV, the pit stop remains the same.

The Highway Solution: HPCL & VinFast Partnership

A key highlight for prospective EV buyers is RoadGrid’s strategic move to place chargers where they are needed most on the highways.

RoadGrid has partnered with V-Green (the charging arm of global EV giant VinFast) to develop an EV charging network at HPCL retail outlets. Since HPCL fuel pumps are densely located along national highways and key city routes, this partnership directly targets the infrastructure gap that currently limits long distance mobility.

By leveraging HPCL’s existing network, RoadGrid is ensuring that EV owners can plan long trips with the confidence of finding reliable charging stops, similar to how petrol vehicle owners rely on fuel stations.

Building a Nationwide Ecosystem

The company is already walking the talk with over 100+ active installations across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka. Their current operational footprint includes key hubs like:

• Indore & Noida: Active deployments.

• Navi Mumbai: A massive project for 250 chargers.

• Utilities: Confirmed order books with BSES and NPCL.

With a pipeline exceeding 1,000 chargers, the company is scaling up to meet the massive demand. Industry estimates suggest India will need nearly 30 lakh (3 million) charging stations by 2030 a massive leap from the current ~8,000.

Investor Confidence in the "Charging as a Service" Model

The funding round saw participation from marquee investors including Venture Catalysts, Kamal Puri (Skyline Group), and LetsVenture.

Mitesh Shah, Co-founder of IPV, highlighted why this solution is timely:

"One of the biggest gaps in India’s EV journey today is not intent, but infrastructure. Consumers are ready to adopt electric mobility, but the lack of reliable, accessible charging continues to slow scale. RoadGrid’s focus on building infrastructure that is not just expansive, but practical, positions them well to address this."

The Road Ahead

RoadGrid will use the fresh funds to expand its manufacturing capabilities (supplying directly to OEMs) and to enhance its cloud based software platform, which promises to make finding and paying for charging seamless for the end-user.

For the Indian EV enthusiast, this development signals that the days of "city only" electric driving are numbered. With universal chargers coming to HPCL pumps and highways, the dream of an emission free road trip is closer than ever.