If you’ve been following India’s EV story, you know one of the biggest complaints isn’t about the cars or two-wheelers themselves — it’s about where to charge them. Tata Motors seems to have taken that seriously. The automaker has just partnered with Thunderplus, an electric charging solutions provider, to roll out more charging stations in smaller Indian cities.
Why This Partnership Matters
The partnership was announced this week and, though the companies kept the finer details under wraps, the message was clear: they aim to fill the huge gap in public electric charging infrastructure beyond Tier-1 cities. For a long time, smaller towns have been left behind in India’s EV push.
Tata Motors’ Growing EV Footprint
Tata Motors, of course, is already the dominant EV player in India. Models like the Nexon EV and Tigor EV have given it a massive head start. But without accessible charging stations, the company’s long-term growth in non-metro markets could stall.
Thunderplus Brings Charging Expertise
Thunderplus has been steadily building a name for itself in the EV charging ecosystem. It’s not as big a name as Tata yet, but it has a reputation for deploying quick-charging and modular stations. This deal could catapult it into a bigger league.
Focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities
What’s also refreshing here is the focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Most of India’s EV policy talk circles around big metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru — but the real market is elsewhere. Places like Nagpur, Ranchi, and Surat are seeing rising EV sales, but don’t have enough chargers.
What to Expect from the Rollout
Neither company has disclosed exact numbers — how many stations, how soon — but people familiar with the plan say they’re looking at “hundreds” of new points within the next couple of years. Expect a mix of fast-charging stations and community-level units that can cater to both cars and electric two- and three-wheelers.
Read: EV Mitra Scheme to Offer Collateral-Free Loans for EV Charging Stations in India
Technology and User Experience
There’s also talk of integrating payments and usage data into a single app. If true, it would make life easier for EV owners, who currently juggle multiple charging apps and payment gateways.
A Shift Toward Mass Adoption
From a broader perspective, this move signals something else. India’s EV industry is quietly shifting from “early-adoption” to “mass-adoption” mode. Selling vehicles is one thing; building a usable, reliable infrastructure network is another.
Voices from the Industry
Vinay Pathak, Vice President & Business Head – SCV & PU at Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said:
“Our endeavour is to make emission-free cargo transportation easily accessible. Expanding the available charging infrastructure on high-use routes will encourage more customers to opt for electric commercial vehicles and improve vehicle uptime resulting in higher revenues and better profitability, while contributing towards a cleaner, greener environment.”
Niranjan Nayak, MD of Delta Electronics India, commented:
“Delta aims to provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow. This collaboration with Tata Motors and ThunderPlus allows us to contribute significantly to India’s electric cargo ecosystem. Our advanced charging technology will play a crucial role in enhancing the electric commercial vehicle experience for users nationwide.”
Rajeev YSR, CEO of ThunderPlus Solutions, added:
“We are excited to partner with Tata Motors and Delta in this groundbreaking initiative. Our focus is on enabling electric commercial vehicle customers with top-notch charging solutions that ensure convenience and reliability. This initiative completely falls in line with our campaign #HarGharThunder through which we intend to make the charge point affordable to each house; making electric vehicle charging abundantly available, thus removing the charge anxiety.”
Challenges Ahead
Now, not to get ahead of ourselves, partnerships like these have been announced before and fizzled out due to execution issues. But Tata Motors has the muscle, and Thunderplus has the tech. If they can align on execution, smaller Indian cities might finally see EV charging stations as common as petrol pumps.
The Road Ahead
For now, though, the announcement itself is a positive signal. EV owners and potential buyers outside the metros will be watching closely. Because at the end of the day, a good charging network is not just about convenience; it’s about confidence. And in India’s fast-moving EV landscape, confidence sells cars.
Discover more from NEXTWHATBUSINESS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
