India’s commercial EV transition is moving beyond vehicle procurement. The next challenge is building charging infrastructure around the way electric trucks and buses actually operate.
Jio-bp and commercial electric vehicle leasing platform DRIVN have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore charging solutions for commercial EV fleets across India, including electric trucks and buses. The Jio-bp DRIVN partnership brings together DRIVN’s EV leasing capabilities with Jio-bp’s charging network to address fleet charging requirements.
Rather than announcing a fixed number of chargers or vehicles, the agreement focuses on developing an operating model that could make charging easier to locate, access and integrate into commercial fleet operations.
Jio-bp Charging Network Could Integrate With DRIVN Platform
One of the areas being explored is the integration of Jio-bp’s charging network with DRIVN’s leasing platform.
This could improve charger discoverability for drivers operating commercial electric vehicles and give fleet operators better visibility of charging locations along their routes. The companies will also examine preferential charging tariffs for DRIVN fleets.
That matters because commercial charging economics are different from those of privately owned EVs.
A passenger-car owner may choose between several public chargers based on convenience. A truck or bus operator must consider vehicle size, battery capacity, charging speed, route schedules and the cost of keeping the vehicle stationary.
Jio-bp says its charging network supports charging capacities of up to 480 kW and is designed for passenger EVs, buses, light commercial vehicles and heavy-duty electric trucks.
Turnkey Charging Projects Could Follow Fleet Demand
The Jio-bp DRIVN partnership will also explore turnkey EV charging projects across selected cities and highways.
This is potentially the more important part of the MoU.
Instead of depending entirely on existing public infrastructure, charging locations could be developed around actual commercial fleet demand. Depots, freight routes, logistics hubs and highway corridors are particularly relevant because commercial vehicles tend to operate on more predictable patterns than private vehicles.
DRIVN Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer Alpna Jain said charger location and the route it serves can directly affect operations for electric buses and trucks. The partnership is intended to make infrastructure easier for fleet operators to find and use as DRIVN expands its commercial EV business.
Jio-bp Is Increasing Its Focus on Fleet Charging
Jio-bp already operates a large public and fleet-oriented charging network through Jio-bp pulse.
The company says it has more than 6,000 charging points across over 75 cities, with charging services available around the clock. It has also developed dedicated fleet charging hubs, including facilities in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.
The DRIVN agreement extends that infrastructure strategy specifically toward commercial fleet customers.
Jio-bp CEO Akshay Wadhwa said commercial fleets have distinct charging requirements based on routes, battery capacities and operating patterns. The MoU will allow both companies to explore charging as well as financing solutions for fleet operators.
