Mahindra’s Charge_iN charging ecosystem has taken a major leap forward through a strategic partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), one of India’s leading oil marketing companies. The collaboration aims to rapidly expand India’s ultrafast EV charging infrastructure by deploying high-power 180 kW dual-gun chargers at HPCL’s extensive network of fuel stations nationwide.
Announced recently in 2026, this tie-up leverages HPCL’s vast retail footprint—spanning thousands of petrol pumps across urban centers, highways, and rural areas—to make ultrafast charging more accessible and convenient for EV owners. The initiative is poised to play a pivotal role in accelerating electric vehicle adoption in the world’s third-largest automotive market, where range anxiety and charging availability remain key barriers.
The partnership centers on installing 180 kW ultrafast chargers, featuring a dual-gun configuration that allows two electric vehicles to charge simultaneously. These high-power stations are designed for speed and efficiency:
- Compatible EVs (including Mahindra’s own electric SUVs like the BE 6 and XEV 9e) can achieve a rapid 20% to 80% state-of-charge in approximately 20 minutes under optimal conditions.
- The chargers support CCS2 standards, ensuring broad compatibility across most modern electric four-wheelers in India.
- Emphasis on reliability, user-friendly operation, and integration with the Charge_iN app for seamless locating, booking, and payment.
This builds on Mahindra’s existing Charge_iN network, which was inaugurated in November 2025 with an ambitious roadmap to establish over 1,000 charging points (across 250+ stations) by the end of 2027—all exclusively featuring 180 kW technology. Early stations have already gone live on major highways, such as Hoskote (Bengaluru–Chennai) and Murthal (Delhi highway corridor), with 10 stations and 40 charge points operational as of early 2026.
HPCL’s nationwide presence provides an ideal backbone for scaling public charging infrastructure. Fuel stations are strategically located for long-distance travel, offering familiar stops where drivers can refuel (or recharge) quickly while accessing amenities like restrooms, food, and convenience stores.
For Mahindra, the partnership aligns perfectly with its goal to “UNLIMIT” electric mobility in India. By placing ultrafast chargers at HPCL outlets, Charge_iN aims to create a dense, reliable network that supports not just Mahindra EVs but the broader ecosystem—encouraging more consumers to transition to electric vehicles.
This move comes amid growing government push for EV infrastructure under schemes like FAME and PM E-Drive, as well as increasing sales of electric cars and SUVs in India.
The collaboration addresses critical gaps in India’s charging landscape:
- Reducing range anxiety on highways and inter-city routes.
- Boosting confidence for first-time EV buyers.
- Supporting faster adoption of premium electric models like Mahindra’s Born Electric lineup.
As one of the most significant public-private partnerships in recent times for EV infra, the Mahindra Charge_iN–HPCL alliance signals strong momentum toward a sustainable mobility future. With ultrafast charging becoming more ubiquitous at everyday fuel stops, India’s roads are set to become greener and more electrified—one 180 kW plug at a time.
