Jio-bp and electric vehicle leasing platform DRIVN have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore commercial EV charging infrastructure for trucks and buses across India, the companies announced on Tuesday.
The proposed collaboration will examine ways to integrate Jio-bp’s charging network with DRIVN’s commercial EV leasing platform. The companies said the arrangement would include improving charging-location discoverability for fleet drivers and exploring preferential tariffs for commercial electric vehicle operators.
The partnership will also examine turnkey electric vehicle charging projects in selected cities and along highways, according to a statement. The companies did not disclose the locations, investment value, number of charging sites or a timeline for implementing any projects under the MoU.
Jio-bp operates as the brand of Reliance BP Mobility Ltd, a joint venture between Reliance Industries and bp. DRIVN provides leasing services for commercial electric vehicles. Their proposed cooperation is focused on fleet operators whose vehicles may require charging arrangements linked to regular routes, operating schedules and vehicle specifications.
Alpna Jain, co-founder and chief business officer of DRIVN, said the requirements of commercial EVs differ according to how and where vehicles are used. “For buses and trucks, the location of a charger and the route it serves can directly affect operations,” Jain said in the statement.
Jain said the MoU would give DRIVN an opportunity to address those requirements as it expands its commercial EV business and make charging infrastructure easier for fleet operators to find and use.
Sarthak Behuria, chairman of Jio-bp, described charging infrastructure as a critical component of the electric mobility transition. He said commercial fleets, including buses and trucks, cover long distances and operate on demanding routes, making them central to the development of charging infrastructure for electric mobility.
“With DRIVN, we are further strengthening our focus on commercial fleets, which have distinct needs shaped by routes, battery capacities and operating patterns,” Akshay Wadhwa, chief executive officer of Jio-bp, said. He added that the MoU would allow the companies to explore charging and financing solutions for fleet operators and improve access to charging for electric buses and trucks.
The announcement comes as commercial vehicle operators evaluate electric alternatives for passenger and freight movement. Unlike private electric vehicles, commercial fleets typically require charging access that is compatible with fixed routes, vehicle turnaround times and high utilisation. The companies’ proposed integration is intended to connect those operating requirements with charging locations and pricing options.
The MoU is exploratory and does not by itself confirm the construction of new charging stations or the rollout of a specific commercial EV corridor. The next steps will involve identifying potential charging projects, cities and highways where the companies could develop or integrate services.
