Yuma Energy has completed over 35 million battery swaps and established a network of more than 2,000 battery swapping stations across 400 locations in 17 Indian cities, marking a 20-fold expansion since its launch in February 2023. The company now operates one of the fastest-growing Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) networks in the country.
The infrastructure supports two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and last-mile delivery vehicles, offering users an alternative to traditional charging with swaps that take minutes. Yuma Energy’s model aims to address common barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, including high initial costs, charging time, and range limitations.
Muthu Subramanian, General Manager and Managing Director at Yuma Energy, stated that the growth reflects increasing acceptance of battery swapping as a viable urban mobility solution. “We are seeing strong engagement from individual users and fleet operators who value efficiency and reliability,” he said.
The company plans to expand its footprint further, strengthening operations in current markets and entering new ones. Yuma Energy’s development aligns with national efforts to promote sustainable transportation and reduce carbon emissions, contributing to India’s broader electrification goals.
Battery swapping in India is an emerging solution aimed at addressing challenges related to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, particularly in the two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and last-mile delivery segments. The concept involves replacing a depleted battery with a fully charged one at designated stations, reducing downtime compared to conventional charging. This model is gaining attention as India seeks to accelerate its transition to clean mobility and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The government has also shown support through initiatives like the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, which includes provisions for battery swapping infrastructure. In 2022, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released guidelines to standardize battery designs and interfaces, aiming to promote interoperability across brands and reduce fragmentation.
Despite progress, the ecosystem remains in a developmental phase. Deployment is concentrated in urban centers like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad, with limited presence in smaller towns and rural areas. One of the primary challenges is the lack of uniform standards across manufacturers, which hampers seamless swapping. Additionally, concerns around battery ownership, quality control, and lifecycle management persist.
Cost remains a mixed factor—while swapping can lower upfront vehicle costs by decoupling the battery from the purchase price, the long-term economic viability for consumers and operators is still being evaluated. Regulatory clarity and incentives are evolving, with the government exploring policies to encourage public-private partnerships and infrastructure investment.
Overall, battery swapping in India shows promise as a complementary model to charging infrastructure, particularly for commercial fleets with high utilization. However, widespread adoption will depend on technological standardization, regulatory support, and sustained investment.