Battery-swapping network Chargeup and Microgrid Labs have teamed up with BECIL as its technological partner. BECIL, a mini-Ratna PSE offers advisory and consulting services to Indian and overseas customers on the transition from a fossil fuel-based fleet to an electric one.

This MoU aims to prepare a strategic framework for all three players and its scope will cover transition planning and design, as well as EV charging infrastructure market using battery swapping technology.

Varun Goenka, CEO, and Co-Founder, Chargeup, said, “Chargeup is building an extensive network of Battery Swapping Stations (BSS). Alongside expanding this network. Chargeup aims to play a crucial role in developing pan-India design and implementation of battery swapping capabilities in sync with the government’s mobility plans.”

Narayanan Sankar, CEO and Co-Founder, Microgrid Labs, said “Microgrid Labs has been dedicated to working towards providing transition planning support for fleet electrification for our clients. Our expertise includes the designing and deployment of world-class charging infrastructure and mathematical modeling services. We use EVOPT Planning and Controlling software developed internally and patented by Microgrid Labs.”

General Manager, BECIL, V P Singh said, “We are focusing on supporting fleet electrification and the EV charging infrastructure market. Alongside building charging infrastructure with Microgrid Labs,  we expect to work closely with Chargeup to integrate battery swapping services into the energy plans for the future EV market.”

Chargeup’s vision is to build a massive pan-India network of stations to cater to the needs of e-rickshaw drivers, and electric two- and three-wheeler owners. 

The company recently raised USD 2.5 million in pre-Series A round led by Capital-A and Anicut Capital. This funding will be used for the expansion of Chargeup’s network to new locations and for building larger capacities to meet demand.