Bijliride has entered into a partnership with Indofast Energy to support the expansion of its electric two-wheeler rental services. The collaboration focuses on addressing operational challenges such as charging time, vehicle availability, and fleet utilisation in the EV rental segment.
Indofast Energy, a joint venture between IndianOil Corporation Limited and SUN Mobility, operates a battery-swapping network with over 1,484 stations across 23 cities. The network currently handles more than 3.5 million battery swaps per month.
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Battery Swapping Integration
As part of the partnership, Bijliride will integrate battery-swapping into its rental model. Users will be able to replace discharged batteries at swap stations instead of waiting for vehicles to charge.
This is expected to reduce downtime and allow vehicles to remain in service for longer durations. The approach may also help improve fleet rotation during peak demand periods.
Rollout Plan Across Cities
The service will be introduced in Hyderabad as the first market. Further expansion is planned in Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai over the next 12 to 18 months.
Bijliride plans to deploy an initial fleet of electric two-wheelers, with further additions based on usage and demand patterns.
Rental and Subscription Offerings
The platform will continue to offer multiple usage options through its app. These include short-term rentals, weekly plans, and subscription-based access for gig workers and regular users.
The model is designed to provide access to electric vehicles without ownership, particularly for urban commuting and last-mile connectivity.
Impact on EV Operations
The integration of battery swapping is expected to influence operational metrics such as utilisation rates and turnaround time. It may also support scaling of EV rental services in cities where charging infrastructure remains limited.
Elctrik Speaks
The partnership reflects a broader shift in the EV ecosystem towards reducing dependency on fixed charging infrastructure. Battery swapping is being tested as a solution for high-usage segments such as rentals and gig mobility. Its effectiveness will depend on network availability, interoperability, and cost structures over time.
Shivam Sisodiya, CEO & Co-Founder, Bijliride, said: "Our partnership with Indofast Energy is centered on making electric mobility more practical and accessible. By reducing downtime and improving availability, we are delivering a more reliable experience while accelerating our B2C growth."
