Canadian Start-up Hygge Energy Joins Hands with IOC for EV Solar Charging

Hygge Energy – a Canada based cleantech provider – has said that it has successfully implemented an EV charging pilot project at the retail outlet of Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) in Bengaluru. The project called ‘Zero Emission Electric Mobility’ has employed the software solution platform of Hygge that could enable the installer of the EV charger to harness solar power and make reasonable profit out of it.

The IOCL is looking to take the Hygge Energy solution of solar powered EV charging systems to other retail outlets and similar sites that could offer emission-less e-mobility experience to EV drivers. The system will also make the business of EV charging profitable.

Prateek Saxena, CEO, Hygge Energy, said, “We have achieved fantastic results from the Indian Oil project, and found that Hygge’s solution can slash the payback period of rooftop solar by as much as 80% and drastically reduce electricity bills as well.”

IOCL is already bullish on EV charging infrastructure expansion, given the public sector firm already has a retail outlet network of 56,000. The company has been installing solar panels on most of the outlets.

As per the plan, IOCL will spread awareness via the dealer network about the EV charging platform of Hygge Energy and its benefits.

Hygge Energy held that the system is created with three vital objectives. First, the electric vehicles will be charged with solar power and not fossil-fuel generated power. Second, the grid infrastructure will not need any upgrading because the charging is done off-grid. This also avoids costs and unnecessary delays. And third, the grid resilience will improve.

Vigyan Kumar, Executive Director (Retail Sales), IOCL, said, “As part of Indian Oil’s foray into alternative energy, we have already set up 54 battery charging / swapping stations for electric vehicles in partnership with various companies. Given the challenges of grid capacity and reliability amid the uncertainty of EV adoption, we are committed to finding an integrated solution to ensure green power for EV charging at our fuel stations. This innovative solution developed by Hygge Energy has demonstrated feasibility to address these issues.”

IOCL will conduct pilot studies at more fuel stations across Bangalore. Hygge Energy too is looking to scale the solution and work with other EV charging service providers and DISCOMs.

Prateek Saxena further revealed, “Now, in the next phase of the project, we are going to demonstrate how renewable energy-based EV charging can bring additional cash to large corporates like Indian Oil in terms of carbon credits through our patented technology; each EV charging station could potentially generate Rs 5 to 10 lakhs annually through our carbon trading system – this amounts to an additional Rs 1000 crore in revenue from carbon credits for Indian Oil’s proposed 10,000-strong network of EV charging stations.”