Macquarie Launches New Platform To Electrify $US 1.5 Bn Fleet

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Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), part of Macquarie Group, launched Vertelo, a new platform providing end-to-end solutions in fleet electrification in India.

Macquarie aims to accelerate the transition of fleets to electric vehicles and build an EV ecosystem by offering solutions to customers. It includes leasing and financing, charging infrastructure and energy solutions, fleet management services, and end-of-vehicle life management. 

The new platform has received anchor investment from the Green Climate Fund which has committed to invest up to $US200 million. Overall, Vertelo plans to invest $US1.5 billion over 10 years to achieve a potential greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 9.5 MtCO2e.

The company lends support to India’s vehicle electrification target of achieving 40% electric buses and 70% electric commercial cars by 2030. It aligns well with the Indian government’s vision for mobility in India revolving around the 7 Cs – Common, Connected, Convenient, Congestion-free, Charged, Clean, and Cutting-edge.

As a first step on this journey, Vertelo signed a long-term lease agreement with Chalo Mobility Pvt Ltd, a technology company, to supply 44 electric buses manufactured by JBM, an electric bus manufacturer in India, to operate in Mumbai. Also, to meet the growing demand of customers, Vertelo signed agreements with multiple OEMs including JBM and Eka Mobility to buy up to 2,000 electric buses from each partner. Over the next three to five years Tata Motors to buy up to 2,000 electric cars over the next three years.

Abhishek Poddar, India Country Head, Macquarie Group, said: “The transition to electric vehicles will bring significant benefits to India – increasing its energy independence and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Vertelo aims to play a key role in accelerating this transition by making it easy for its customers to realize the benefits of going electric immediately.”

Henry Gonzalez, Green Climate Fund Deputy Executive Director, said: “The platform launched today is a big moment for all involved. It has been designed to speed up the adoption of electric vehicles – buses and commercial fleets – by providing affordable leasing and financing solutions. This will help bring costs down, so electric vehicles can be truly competitive, and people can breathe cleaner, safer air across the country. This investment is the Green Climate Fund’s first private-sector transport program in the e-mobility sector, and we are excited to have provided $US200 million equity capital to support India’s e-mobility transition.”

The new business will be led by Sandeep Gambhir who previously led the automotive leasing, mobility, and nonbank financial businesses for ORIX India for 11 years. Sandeep Gambhir, Chief Executive Officer, Vertelo, said: “Vertelo aims to become a larger ecosystem player in the EV mobility landscape through its unique and comprehensive offering that covers the entire lifecycle of the underlying assets including upfront capital solution, charging infrastructure, maintenance and energy management, which helps it to partner with large OEMs, fleet operators, and other corporates, and accelerate fleet electrification in India.”

Mohit Dubey, Co-Founder and CEO, of Chalo, said, “We are happy to partner with Vertelo and JBM to add these 44 Chalo buses in Mumbai, taking our fleet to 100 electric luxury AC buses. This is a significant step for Mumbai where Chalo and BEST have partnered to run a luxury bus service for daily commute. Congratulations to the Vertelo team on their launch. We look forward to a long-term sustainable partnership with them.”

Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman, of JBM Group, said: “JBM is excited to announce its global strategic partnership with Vertelo to deploy up to 2,000 electric buses over the next three to five years, beginning with a sizeable first deployment of 44 electric buses, marking a significant milestone in sustainable mobility. Together, we’re shaping the future of zero-emission electric public transportation with a commitment to innovation and excellence.”

Vertelo is backed by the Green Climate Fund in partnership with Macquarie Asset Management, part of Macquarie Group. Macquarie Group is one of Australia’s ten largest companies and has been active in India for over 19 years – it has invested over $US2.5 billion in equity capital into Indian infrastructure.

Macquarie Group has been supporting and driving practical climate solutions for almost 20 years, with our first investments in renewables dating back to 2005. Macquarie is working to help commercial fleet operators finance the deployment of clean vehicles and charging infrastructure in the US, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK.4