HEID and BMRCL enter into MoU to collaborate in the field of e-mobility

By OEM Update Editorial December 15, 2022 3:03 pm IST

HEID and BMRCL announce to start operation of Battery Swap service at BMRCL metro stations.

Honda Power Pack Energy India Private Limited (HEID), Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s subsidiary for battery swap service, and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), a joint venture of the governments of India and Karnataka, held the opening ceremony of Honda e:swap services on during 1st week of December which is operated by HEID at the BMRCL Metro stations.

In November 2021, HEID was established to begin battery swap service in India, starting with electric autorickshaws. HEID’s battery swap service will enable rickshaw drivers to stop by at the nearest battery stations being setup across the selected cities and swap discharged batteries (Honda Mobile Power Pack) with fully charged ones. The use of this service will significantly reduce drivers’ initial cost to purchase an EV as well as reducing concern about range anxiety and running out of batteries.

HEID and BMRCL signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in the field of e-mobility. and have affirmed the mutual commitment through developing its swap station network. HEID has already set up Honda e-Swap stations at 5 BMRCL stations (KR Market, National College, Banashankari, Trinity, and Baiyappanahalli stations) in Bengaluru and started its operation initially for electric autorickshaws, which are compatible with the Honda Mobile Power Pack This partnership would accelerate the penetration of e-mobility in the last and fastest mile of connectivity and contribute into cleaner & greener future.

President and CMD of Honda Power Pack Energy India, Mr. Kiyoshi Ito, said that “HEID would focus on three actions, which are expanding its battery swap network in Bengaluru, ensuring reliable service with a highly integrated system that monitors every unique battery and exchanger, and supporting vehicle manufacturers who are developing EVs that utilise Honda Mobile Power Pack e:. Partnering with BMRCL in setting up the Honda e-Swap station network, would provide the comfort of cleaner and greener first- and last-mile connectivity to metro users.”

The Managing Director of BMRCL, Mr. Anjum Parwez, said that “People will adopt eco-friendly mobility services if the required setup is delivered.” In line with Karnataka Electric Vehicle and Storage Policy 2017, and to encourage such setups, BMRCL is happy to have partnered with Honda Power Pack Energy India Private Limited (HEID) for providing the State of the Art Honda e:Swap stations at 5 Metro Stations. Such charging infrastructure will not only facilitate metro commuters to adopt to e mobility as their first and last mile connectivity, it will also facilitate other e-mobility vehicle users to become partners for a greener Bangalore.”