Mumbai: Jio-bp, the operating brand of Reliance BP Mobility Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with electric vehicle leasing platform Vertelo to explore integrated charging and leasing solutions for electric buses and trucks across India. The proposed collaboration aims to improve access to fast-charging infrastructure, introduce preferential charging tariffs and support the development of charging facilities along major transport corridors.
The agreement brings together Jio-bp’s expanding DC fast-charging network and Vertelo’s commercial electric vehicle leasing capabilities, potentially addressing two significant challenges facing fleet operators: access to dependable charging infrastructure and vehicle financing.
The companies will explore solutions designed to make commercial EV operations more practical, particularly for businesses operating vehicles over long distances and across multiple cities.
Fast-Charging Network and Leasing Solutions Under One Partnership
Under the proposed arrangement, Jio-bp and Vertelo will examine opportunities to combine charging infrastructure with commercial vehicle leasing services.
A central element of the collaboration is improving the discoverability of Jio-bp charging locations for Vertelo’s customers, allowing fleet operators to identify charging facilities more easily along their routes.
The companies will also explore preferential charging tariffs for commercial EV customers, potentially helping operators manage one of their recurring operational expenses.
Another area of cooperation involves turnkey charging infrastructure projects in identified cities and along highway corridors. Such projects could provide dedicated charging solutions tailored to the operating requirements of electric buses and heavy commercial vehicles.
Unlike passenger EVs, commercial vehicles often operate on demanding schedules, carry substantial loads and require charging facilities capable of supporting larger battery capacities. For fleet operators, a charging stop is not merely a coffee break; it is an important part of keeping the business moving.
However, the agreement remains exploratory, with the companies yet to announce specific project locations, investment commitments or implementation timelines.
Supporting India’s PM E-DRIVE Initiative
The partnership aligns with the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE initiative, which aims to accelerate electric mobility adoption and support the development of the country’s EV ecosystem.
Jio-bp has been focusing on electrifying priority transport locations and corridors to address the charging requirements of commercial vehicles, particularly buses and trucks.
By combining charging accessibility with leasing and financing solutions, the two companies intend to reduce operational barriers that can discourage transport businesses from transitioning to electric fleets.
Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, Jio-bp, said:
“India’s transition to electric mobility is no longer a question, it is happening quickly. At the heart of this transformation are commercial fleets – buses and trucks that keep our people, cargo, and economy moving every day, often covering the longest distances and the toughest routes. At Jio-bp, we believe EV charging infrastructure is a critical part of national infrastructure and our partnership with Vertelo marks an important step towards building the charging backbone needed to cater to the demands of this transition.”
Commercial EV Charging Requires a Different Approach
Electric buses and trucks present charging requirements that differ considerably from those of private passenger vehicles.
Factors such as daily operating distances, route planning, battery capacity, vehicle downtime and charging availability play a significant role in determining the commercial viability of electric fleet operations.
Akshay Wadhwa, Chief Executive Officer, Jio-bp, highlighted the importance of developing charging solutions around these specific operational demands.
“Jio-bp pulse has been built on a simple promise – accessible, reliable, high-uptime EV charging wherever needed. With Vertelo, we are bringing that same reliability to commercial fleets, which have distinct needs shaped by routes, battery capacities and operating patterns. This MoU lets us address those needs directly, while exploring practical charging and financing solutions for fleet operators. Together, we aim to make reliable charging more accessible for electric buses and trucks.”
The proposed collaboration could help fleet operators better coordinate vehicle leasing, route planning and charging requirements rather than managing each element separately.
For commercial transport businesses, such integration may prove especially relevant as electric vehicles are introduced into established logistics and passenger transport networks.
Vertelo Sees Opportunity in High-Mileage Commercial Vehicles
Vertelo, which focuses on accelerating commercial EV adoption through leasing and financing solutions, views charging infrastructure as an essential component of the transition.
Sandeep Gambhir, CEO, Vertelo, said:
“Commercial vehicles cover far more kilometres than passenger cars, which makes them the segment where electrification delivers the greatest environmental return, and where charging access matters most. Jio-bp has built meaningful infrastructure along the major corridors our customers operate on. This collaboration will help connect more cities and communities across the country while reinforcing Vertelo’s status as a trusted enabler of EV adoption through its ecosystem play through leasing and financing solutions along with creating the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the same.”
Commercial vehicles typically accumulate significantly higher annual mileage than privately owned passenger cars, making their electrification particularly relevant to efforts to reduce transport-related emissions.
However, the availability of suitable charging facilities remains an important consideration, especially for operators whose vehicles travel between cities or operate for extended periods.
What the Partnership Means for India’s Electric Commercial Vehicle Market
Reliance BP Mobility Limited is a joint venture between Reliance Industries and bp, operating under the Jio-bp brand. Its Jio-bp pulse charging network forms part of the company’s electric mobility business.
The agreement with Vertelo reflects a broader shift in India’s EV sector towards combining vehicles, financing and supporting infrastructure rather than treating them as separate services.
For electric bus and truck operators, the benefits of such partnerships will ultimately depend on the availability, reliability and cost of charging facilities, alongside the suitability of leasing arrangements.
Although the MoU does not yet represent a confirmed nationwide infrastructure rollout, it establishes a framework for potential cooperation in commercial vehicle electrification.
As India works to expand electric mobility beyond privately owned cars, partnerships between charging providers and vehicle leasing companies could become increasingly important. The real test for Jio-bp and Vertelo will be translating their proposed collaboration into accessible charging facilities and commercially viable solutions that keep India’s electric buses and trucks moving.
