BSES, Ola Electric tie up for battery swapping/charging stations

Announcing a first of its kind green initiative in the capital, Delhi power distribution company (discom) BSES on Monday said it has tied up with Ola Electric to set up battery swapping and charging stations in the city.

A BSES statement said the agreement is for three years and is likely to hasten the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city.

While sister discom BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL) will set up the stations in south and west Delhi, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL) will do so in east and central Delhi, it said.

"EVs (two and three wheelers, and e-rickshaws) will be able to avail the services at these stations. Looking at the response, their number will be increased. Some of these stations will also have a provision for charging electric cars," it said.

"Ola Electric will manage and operate these stations through a cloud based software system. On its part, BSES will facilitate in identification of strategic locations for battery swapping (and charging) stations, depending on the optimum usage and potential of electric vehicles in the area," it added.

Noting that a critical factor impeding growth of EVs is the lack of charging infrastructure, the statement said that "battery swapping has significant potential as a mode for charging small vehicles, creating favorable economics for consumers, discoms and also for the power sector."

It said that battery swapping "mimics the experience of existing fuel pumps. It is swift and convenient and takes the same amount or less time as existing fuel pumps."

"Battery swapping drastically reduces wait time through its under-3 minute interchange of batteries versus 1.5-2 hours minimum for the charging solution," it said.

It also improves battery life and performance, BSES said.
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According to the discom, "apart from consumers, battery swapping stations have benefits for the discoms and the power sector as a whole, some of which include increased electricity consumption that increases revenue for the discom, and reduction in power-theft."

Besides, swapping lowers charging and swapping fee on account of increased productivity of land.

"Park-and-charge solutions demand land usage, which results in higher fees for the end-user. Swapping requires a fraction of the real estate to serve the same number of vehicles, and may also optimize other resources such as manpower," it added.IANS