Tesla Power USA, IOCL ink pact for battery distribution

HYDERABAD: Tesla Power USA and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have announced  a national strategic alliance for battery distribution. The partnership will enable Tesla Power USA batteries to potentially sell and service their batteries at over 36,000 IOCL petrol pumps across India beginning with Delhi-NCR region.

 "IOC fuel station is the correct place to go for any urgent or regular battery replacement  or new purchase requirement," said Vigyan Kumar, Executive Director, I/C (RS-NE), IOCL.

Placing batteries at petrol stations offers customers convenience of getting battery replacement or new purchase along with refueling their car, saving them time and effort.

 “This is the first time that automotive batteries will be available on a large scale at petrol pumps, similar to the western markets. Tesla Power currently has over 5,000 distribution points in India that we aim to double in 2023. The addition of IOCL petrol pumps can potentially offer Tesla Power USA distribution reach of over 40,000 points,” said Kavinder Khurana, MD, Tesla Power USA.

According to the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), the country's battery market would develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% from 2021 to 2026. By 2030, about one crore EV scooters would be on Indian roads, Khurana said.

Customers will receive a free fire extinguisher with every purchase of four-wheeler batteries and a gift worth Rs 250 with the purchase of two-wheeler batteries, a release said.