Honda Power Pack Energy India Private Limited (HEID), Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s subsidiary for battery swap service, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a Maharatna oil company in India, announced to start of the operation of Honda e: swap services on 6th Aug 2022, which HEID operates at the HPCL petrol stations.
HEID’s battery swap service will enable rickshaw drivers to stop by at the nearest battery stations across the selected cities, and swap discharged batteries (Honda Mobile Power Pack e:) with fully charged ones. This service will significantly reduce drivers’ initial cost to purchase EVs and minimise concern about range anxiety and running out of batteries.
HEID aims to create more than 70 stations in Bengaluru in the next year. Furthermore, based on the success in Bengaluru city, the service will be expanded to other major cities in a phased manner.
Operation Executive, Business Development Supervisory Unit Head, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Arata Ichinose, said that he appreciated the great support by HPCL toward HEID’s challenges and emphasised the importance of a relationship with all partners.
President & CMD, Honda Power Pack Energy India, Kiyoshi Ito, said that HEID would focus on three actions, which are expanding its battery swap network in Bengaluru, ensuring reliable service with a highly integrated system monitoring every unique battery and exchanger, and supporting vehicle manufacturers who are developing EV that utilises Honda Mobile Power Pack e-swap.
Executive Director-Retail, HPCL, Sandeep Maheshwari said, “Swappable batteries address the key EV adoption issues such as – high upfront costs, range anxiety and long charging time. Over 90% of the country’s vehicle sales are 2Ws and 3Ws. The simplicity of vehicle design and the smaller battery packs needed to power the electric versions of 2/3Ws makes them a prime candidate for swapping,”
Executive Director-Corporate Strategy, Planning and Business Development, HPCL, Dharmendra Kumar Sharma said, “This is a small step towards taking a giant leap for revolutionising the e-Mobility ecosystem of India in the days to come,”