Tata Power and VE Commercial Vehicles Partner to Accelerate Electric CV Adoption in India
In a significant step toward sustainable mobility, Tata Power EV Charging Solutions Limited (TPEVCSL) and VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) to accelerate the adoption of electric commercial vehicles (CVs) in India. The partnership will initially focus on supporting the Eicher Pro X range of small electric commercial vehicles, with expansion planned for other models in the Eicher EV portfolio.
Tackling Barriers in Commercial EV Adoption
The electrification of India’s commercial vehicle sector has faced persistent challenges, primarily due to the high cost of batteries required for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Battery packs for such vehicles often drive up costs significantly compared to diesel-powered counterparts, slowing large-scale adoption.
As a result, EV adoption in the CV segment has so far been concentrated in small commercial vehicles (SCVs) and pickup trucks, where battery requirements and costs are more manageable. Range limitations and payload trade-offs have further complicated adoption for larger electric trucks and buses.
Tata Power’s Role: Expanding Charging Infrastructure
Tata Power, through its EZ Charge network, already operates an extensive EV charging ecosystem with:
- Over 150,000 home chargers
- 5,500 public and semi-public charging points across 630+ cities and towns
- 1,200 dedicated e-bus charging stations
- More than 400,000 registered customers
This robust infrastructure will be leveraged to address range anxiety and ensure reliable access to charging for Eicher EV operators. Tata Power also aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2045, with 43% of its current 15.5 GW capacity coming from clean energy sources.
VECV’s Contribution: Energy-Efficient Electric Trucks
VECV, a joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, will bring its expertise in energy optimisation for electric trucks. Since 2008, the company has produced and distributed Eicher-branded trucks and buses across 40 countries, alongside Volvo-branded commercial vehicles in India.
Through this collaboration, VECV plans to work closely with existing Eicher customers to smoothen their transition to electric mobility, focusing on lowering total cost of ownership while ensuring operational efficiency.
A Blueprint for the Future of Commercial EVs
The partnership directly addresses three critical challenges:
- Range anxiety
- Charging access
- Total cost of ownership
By combining Tata Power’s charging infrastructure with VECV’s vehicle innovation, the initiative lays the groundwork for the long-term electrification of larger CV segments as battery costs decline and technology advances.
If successful, the Tata Power–VECV collaboration could serve as a model for future partnerships across India’s commercial transportation sector, helping accelerate the shift to cleaner, greener logistics and mobility.