Jio-bp Pulse: India’s game changing EV Charging Station

Imagine a future where you can drive your electric car or bike across India without worrying about running out of charge or finding a charging station. Where you can enjoy a smooth and seamless charging experience with just a tap on your smartphone. Where you can relax and refresh yourself at a cozy café while your vehicle gets juiced up.

Sounds too good to be true?

Well, this is the future that Jio-bp, a joint venture between Reliance Industries Limited and bp, one of the world's leading energy companies, is envisioning and creating for India's growing mobility sector. Jio-bp aims to provide end-to-end solutions for the energy needs of India's mobility sector, including fuel, EV charging, mobility stations, and convenience stores.

Jio-bp pulse: India's largest EV charging network

Jio-bp pulse is the electric mobility business of Jio-bp that plans to set up India's largest EV charging and battery swapping infrastructure and be the preferred choice for customer EV needs, with multiple digital offerings. Jio-bp pulse has a vision to cater to the growing EV charging requirements in India across different vehicle segments and use cases.

Jio-bp pulse offers both B2B and B2C charging solutions for cars and bikes at various locations across India.

B2B charging solutions

Jio-bp pulse provides customized charging solutions for businesses and organizations that operate or own EV fleets, such as e-commerce platforms, delivery services, corporate offices, commercial complexes, bus depots, etc. Jio-bp pulse offers:

• Dedicated charging stations at the premises of the clients or at strategic locations nearby.

• Flexible pricing models based on usage, time, power, etc.

• Remote monitoring and management of the charging stations through the Jio-bp pulse Charge App.

• Data analytics and insights on the performance, utilization, and optimization of the charging stations.

• Maintenance and support services for the charging stations.

Some of the benefits of Jio-bp pulse's B2B charging solutions are:

• Reduced operational costs and increased efficiency of the EV fleets.

• Enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty due to reliable and convenient charging.

• Improved environmental sustainability and social responsibility due to lower emissions.

B2C charging solutions

Jio-bp pulse provides convenient and accessible charging solutions for individual EV owners and users, such as commuters, travelers, tourists, etc. Jio-bp pulse offers:

• Fast EV charging stations at prominent locations such as public parking, hotels, shopping malls, residential societies, petrol pumps, airports, etc.

• Cashless payment options through the Jio-bp pulse Charge App or other modes such as net banking, credit card, debit card, UPI or wallet.

• Fluid payment options based on the choice of the customers such as pay-per-use, subscription plans, loyalty programs, etc.

• Take a break facilities at the charging stations such as the Wild Bean Café for a quick personal recharge.

• Customer support and feedback services through the Jio-bp pulse Charge App or other channels.

Some of the benefits of Jio-bp pulse's B2C charging solutions are:

• Increased convenience and comfort of the EV owners and users due to fast and easy charging.

• Enhanced safety and security of the EV owners and users due to quality standards and protocols.

• Improved affordability and value of the EV owners and users due to flexible pricing options.

Jio-bp pulse has several key differentiators that make it stand out from the competition:

• Fast charging: All charging stations will have fast chargers for customer convenience.

• Jio-bp pulse Charge App: Cashless charging stations will operate through the Jio-bp Pulse Charge App that allows users to locate, book, pay, and monitor their charging sessions.

• Fluid payment options: All modes of payment – Net banking, Credit card, Debit card, UPI or Wallet are accepted.

• Take a break: The charging stations will include the Wild Bean Café for a quick personal recharge.

Jio-bp pulse has already commissioned one of the largest HUBs in Delhi at "Reliance Retail Mall - Dwarka" that can charge around 90 cars simultaneously using a combination of fast, medium, and slow chargers. It has also partnered with BluSmart, India's first all-electric ride-hailing platform, to set up charging stations for passenger electric vehicles and fleets across the country.

Some interesting facts about Jio-bp pulse are:

• It plans to set up over 5,000 EV charging points by 2025.
• It has invested over Rs 1,000 crore in its EV business so far.
• It aims to leverage Reliance Jio's digital ecosystem to offer smart mobility solutions.

How does Jio-bp compare with its competitors?

Jio-bp is not the only player in the EV charging space in India. There are other established and emerging players who are vying for a share of the growing market. Some of the major competitors of Jio-bp are:

• Tata Power: Tata Power is India's largest integrated power company and a leader in the EV charging segment. It has over 600 public chargers in more than 120 cities and over 5,000 home chargers across India. It has partnered with various OEMs, fleet operators, e-commerce platforms, and real estate developers to expand its network. It also offers smart charging solutions through its EZ Charge app.

• EESL: EESL is a joint venture of four public sector undertakings under the Ministry of Power. It is responsible for implementing the National E-Mobility Programme that aims to create a demand for EVs and facilitate their adoption by government agencies. EESL has installed over 1,500 AC chargers and over 100 DC chargers across India. It also operates an e-mobility platform called eBikeGo that offers electric two-wheelers on rent.

• Fortum: Fortum is a Finnish energy company that operates in India through its subsidiary Fortum Charge & Drive India Pvt Ltd. It has over 100 DC fast chargers in Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. It has partnered with MG Motor India to provide free charging for its ZS EV customers at select locations. It also offers cloud-based software solutions for managing EV charging networks.

A comparison table of some key parameters of these players is given below:

| Parameter | Jio-bp | Tata Power | EESL | Fortum ||--------------------|-------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|| Number of chargers | Over 1,400 (including fuel retail outlets) | Over 600 public chargers and over 5,000 home chargers | Over 1,500 AC chargers and over 100 DC chargers | Over 100 DC fast chargers || Charging speed | Fast, medium, and slow | Fast, medium, and slow | Slow and fast | Fast || Charging app | Jio-bp pulse Charge App | EZ Charge app | N/A | Fortum Charge & Drive app || Partnerships | BluSmart, Reliance Retail, Wild Bean Café, etc. | Lodha Group, HPCL, IOCL, Tata Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, etc. | NTPC, EIL, SDMC, NDMC, etc. | MG Motor India, ABB, etc. || Future plans | To set up over 5,000 EV charging points by 2025 | To set up over 700 public chargers by March 2022 | To install over 10,000 AC chargers and over 250 DC chargers by March 2022 | To expand its network to more cities and locations |

Jio-bp: A leader in energy innovation

Jio-bp is not only focused on electric mobility but also on providing other innovative and sustainable energy solutions for India's growing mobility sector. Jio-bp operates over 1,400 fuel retail outlets across India that offer high-quality fuels and lubricants along with digital services and convenience retailing. Jio-bp also plans to develop mobility stations that will offer multiple modes of transport such as e-rickshaws, e-bikes, e-scooters, etc. along with fuel and EV charging options.

Jio-bp is committed to creating a low-carbon future for India by leveraging its global expertise and local capabilities. Jio-bp is one of India's top solution providers for energy needs like fuel, EV charging, mobility stations, and convenience stores with a large network. Jio-bp is transforming the way India moves.

CarBike360 Says: Will Jio-bp dominate the EV charging market?

Jio-bp has a clear advantage over its competitors in terms of its scale, reach, partnerships, and digital capabilities. It has the backing of two global giants in the energy sector: Reliance Industries and bp. It has the potential to leverage the existing network of Reliance Retail outlets and Jio platforms to offer a seamless and integrated customer experience. It has also forged strategic alliances with BluSmart and Wild Bean Café to cater to the emerging segments of EV ride-hailing and convenience retailing.

However, Jio-bp also faces some challenges and uncertainties in the EV charging market. The market is still nascent and evolving with changing customer preferences, regulations, technologies, and competition. The demand for EVs is dependent on various factors such as cost, availability, performance, policy support, consumer awareness, etc. The profitability and sustainability of the EV charging business model is yet to be proven in the Indian context.

Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Jio-bp will be able to capitalize on its strengths and overcome its challenges to emerge as the undisputed leader in the EV charging market in India.

FAQs:

• Q: What is Jio-bp pulse Charge App and how can I download it?

• A: Jio-bp pulse Charge App is a mobile application that allows you to locate, book, pay, and monitor your charging sessions at Jio-bp EV charging stations. You can also access various features and offers through the app. You can download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

• Q: What are the different types of EV chargers available at Jio-bp pulse stations?

• A: Jio-bp pulse stations offer three types of EV chargers: fast, medium, and slow. Fast chargers can charge your vehicle in 15-30 minutes, medium chargers can charge your vehicle in 30-60 minutes, and slow chargers can charge your vehicle in 2-4 hours. The type of charger you need depends on your vehicle model, battery capacity, and state of charge.

• Q: How much does it cost to charge my EV at Jio-bp pulse stations?

• A: The cost of charging your EV at Jio-bp pulse stations depends on various factors such as the type of charger, the duration of charging, the time of day, the location of the station, etc. You can check the current tariff rates on the Jio-bp pulse Charge App or at the station display. You can also avail various discounts and offers through the app or by subscribing to Jio-bp pulse plans.

• Q: How can I contact Jio-bp pulse for any queries or feedback?

• A: You can contact Jio-bp pulse through its 24x7 helpline number 1800 891 9023. You can also follow Jio-bp pulse on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and news.

• Q: What is a mobility station and where can I find one?

• A: A mobility station is a multi-modal transport hub that offers various modes of transport such as e-rickshaws, e-bikes, e-scooters, etc. along with fuel and EV charging options. A mobility station also provides convenience retailing and digital services for the customers. Jio-bp has launched its first mobility station in Vadodara, Gujarat and plans to set up more such stations across India. You can locate a mobility station on the Jio-bp pulse Charge App or on the website.