Indian Railways has partnered with Indofast Energy to deploy battery swapping stations across railway stations in the Hyderabad and Secunderabad divisions, marking a significant step toward promoting clean mobility and supporting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
Under the initiative, 80 battery swapping stations have already been installed across 25 railway stations—56 in the Secunderabad division and 24 in the Hyderabad division. An additional 40 stations are planned for deployment within the next three months. The project is being implemented by South-Central Railway in collaboration with Indofast Energy, a joint venture between IndianOil Corporation Limited and SUN Mobility, each holding a 50% stake.
The battery swapping network aims to enhance last-mile connectivity for commuters and support e-mobility for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and small four-wheelers. By enabling users to quickly exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones, the system addresses range anxiety and reduces downtime for delivery personnel, ride-sharing drivers, and daily commuters.
Indofast Energy will be responsible for setting up and operating the swap stations. The company has stated its goal to establish over 10,000 swapping points across more than 40 Indian cities in the next three years, targeting service for more than one million EV users.
Anant Badjatya, CEO of Indofast Energy, noted that the initial rollout in Hyderabad has seen strong user engagement, particularly among delivery and logistics operators. He emphasized the importance of accessible infrastructure in supporting urban EV adoption and expressed confidence in the scalability of the model.
R. Gopalakrishnan, Divisional Railway Manager of South-Central Railway, highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Railway Board’s broader policy to promote e-mobility at rail stations. He stated that integrating EV infrastructure into railway premises contributes to reduced emissions and improved traffic management in station areas.
The swap stations are strategically located within accessible zones of railway stations to encourage integration into daily commutes. Designed for ease of use, they offer a fast, affordable, and reliable alternative to traditional charging methods.
Indofast Energy currently operates more than 1,000 battery swapping stations across 21 cities in India and facilitates over 1.4 million battery swaps per month. The company utilizes a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, aiming to make electric mobility more practical and economical for a wider user base.
This collaboration between Indian Railways and Indofast Energy is seen as a key development in advancing sustainable urban transportation infrastructure in India, with potential for replication in other railway zones.