Tata Power to Expand EV Charger Network to 700 by FY21

In line with Tata Group’s ambition of expanding into e-mobility space via group companies, utility giant Tata Power on Thursday disclosed its substantial investment plan of expanding its network of smart electric vehicle (EV) charging points to around 700 by FY21.

The country’s largest integrated utility company said in a statement that “as part of its plans to help the EV migration in India, Tata Power will be investing substantially to expand its network of smart EV charging points from around 170 now to over 700 by end of the current financial year under the Brand name of Tata Power EZ Charge.”

The move came as the company aimed to mark its significant presence in the fast-emerging electric vehicle (EV) segment by creating a national network of charging infrastructure.

Despite a prolonged slump in sales in the Indian automotive sector, growth in demand for EVs is expected to outstrip IC (internal combustion vehicles powered by fossil fuel). Also, EV sales reported 20 per cent jump to more than 1.5 lakh EVs sold in 2019-20, as compared to 1.35 lakh EVs sold during 2018-19.

Commenting on the development, Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD of Tata Power, said that “despite the protracted slump in the Indian automotive sector, we continue to remain bullish about the future of the country’s mobility business and we believe that large-scale shift to clean mobility is inevitable. With the right policy framework in place, large domestic demand for clean mobility solutions and consistent drop in the total cost of ownership of EVs are strong signs of the direction in which India is moving. Over the last two years, we have been investing in a national network of charging infrastructure and expect to expand this further during the current financial year too.”

However, Tata Power EZ charge network has already installed 170 fast and smart-charging points in over 20 cities on pan India, including major metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad. The company is expecting to continuously expand the coverage to more cities by the end of the current financial year making them EV ready.

Besides, the company is also planning to create infrastructure for home charging as well as continue expanding it’s public charging locations like at metro stations, shopping malls, theatres and highways.

Moreover, it is also in talks with metro rail authorities and municipal corporations for setting up EV charging stations in India. The company will also be expanding its EV charging infrastructure at Tata Group-owned outlets such as Chroma, WestSide, Titan watch showroom, and Indian Hotels.

In February this year, Tata Power has entered into an agreement with Prakriti E-Mobility, an app-based electric vehicle (EV) cab operator, to set up fifty charging stations in Delhi NCR region.