India's state-run Oil &amp; Gas explorer and producer 'Bharat Petroleum' aims to convert 7,000 of its conventional retail outlets into energy stations providing multiple fuelling options. In the medium to long term, this will also include the facility to charge electric vehicles (EVs).

The Fortune Global 500 company plans to provide EV charging stations of CCS-2 standard at its fuel pumps at periodic intervals on all major national highways connecting major cities and economic centres in the country.

As part of this initiative, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has already set up 25 kilowatts, EV fast-charging corridors in the southern part of India.

The first phase comprised the Chennai-Trichy-Madurai route in Tamil Nadu and the second phase is implemented on the highway connecting Bangalore-Chennai and Bangalore-Mysore-Coorg route.&nbsp;

Speaking at the launch of the EV Fast-Charging Corridors, PS Ravi, executive director in-charge (retail), BPCL said, “The growth of Indian electric vehicle market has been significant over the years and the launch of our EV fast-charging corridors on the Bangalore-Chennai Highway and Bangalore-Mysore-Coorg Highway is aligned with India’s EV dream of transitioning to cleaner alternatives."

"Our leading edge in providing “superior” solution and experiences will serve our EV customers along the two new corridors and will provide a 'Pure for Sure' experience in this exciting journey of electric mobility," added Ravi.&nbsp;

The fast chargers follow the CCS-2 protocol and are strategically located at nine of its fuel stations with an approximate distance of 100 km on both sides of the aforementioned routes.

According to the company, the 25 kW fast charger will enable customers to charge their EVs in about 30 minutes and thereby gain a travel range of up to 125 km. The fast charger can be self-operated without any manual assistance. However, support staff help will be available, if and when needed.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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India's state-run Oil & Gas explorer and producer 'Bharat Petroleum' aims to convert 7,000 of its conventional retail outlets into energy stations providing multiple fuelling options.

India's state-run Oil & Gas explorer and producer 'Bharat Petroleum' aims to convert 7,000 of its conventional retail outlets into energy stations providing multiple fuelling options. In the medium to long term, this will also include the facility to charge electric vehicles (EVs). The Fortune Global 500 company plans to provide EV charging stations of CCS-2 standard at its fuel pumps at periodic intervals on all major national highways connecting major cities and economic centres in the country. As part of this initiative, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has already set up 25 kilowatts, EV fast-charging corridors in the southern part of India. The first phase comprised the Chennai-Trichy-Madurai route in Tamil Nadu and the second phase is implemented on the highway connecting Bangalore-Chennai and Bangalore-Mysore-Coorg route. Speaking at the launch of the EV Fast-Charging Corridors, PS Ravi, executive director in-charge (retail), BPCL said, “The growth of Indian electric vehicle market has been significant over the years and the launch of our EV fast-charging corridors on the Bangalore-Chennai Highway and Bangalore-Mysore-Coorg Highway is aligned with India’s EV dream of transitioning to cleaner alternatives." "Our leading edge in providing “superior” solution and experiences will serve our EV customers along the two new corridors and will provide a 'Pure for Sure' experience in this exciting journey of electric mobility," added Ravi. The fast chargers follow the CCS-2 protocol and are strategically located at nine of its fuel stations with an approximate distance of 100 km on both sides of the aforementioned routes. According to the company, the 25 kW fast charger will enable customers to charge their EVs in about 30 minutes and thereby gain a travel range of up to 125 km. The fast charger can be self-operated without any manual assistance. However, support staff help will be available, if and when needed. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: State-run 'Bharat Petroleum' aims to offer EV charging at 7000 fuel stations across country

The demand for buying an electric car is rising. While a critical requirement in the fight against the climate crisis, the sector is dealing with some difficulties in convincing sceptics that switching to a sustainable mode of transportation will be worthwhile. The main issue is charging: Availability of enough charging stations along the routes, compatibility issues of different technologies adapted by charging stations and plug points in the cars, fire hazard, and the possible time taken for charging.

Uncertainty over where and whether drivers will find a charging station when they need one continues to be a major barrier to the widespread adoption of electric vehicle mobility. Another important concern for the drivers is battery life -how long will it last? Or, how long will it take to charge?

It is widely assumed that charging is more expensive than gasoline.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ford-cuts-3000-jobs-as-it-pivots-to-evs-competes-with-elon-musks-tesla-509431">Also read |&nbsp;Ford cuts 3,000 jobs as it pivots to EVs, competes with Elon Musk's Tesla</a>

Many have come up with solutions to these problems. In 2021, an Israel-based company claimed to have batteries that could be charged in five minutes. US researchers recently came up with a design for batteries to be charged in 10 minutes.

In 2021, StoreDot claimed that they had developed a new lithium-ion battery that could be charged in five minutes. The company is known for its extremely fast-charging batteries in mobiles, drones, and scooters to showcase its technology to carmakers. The firm hopes to be able to charge an automobile battery of 100 miles of range in five minutes using the current infrastructure for charging.

Recently, US researchers have come up with a solution to the charging time duration, claiming that they have designed a superfast method that can fully charge several EV batteries in 10 minutes or less without causing any damage to the vehicle. They said that it needs to be checked for balance to charge the lithium-ion batteries that power automobiles.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-first-mass-produced-hydrogen-truck-unveiled-by-commercial-ev-startup-tevva-493772">Also read |&nbsp;UK’s first mass-produced hydrogen truck unveiled by commercial EV startup Tevva</a>

One option to charge the car faster is to modify the charging protocol in a way that maximises charging speed while protecting the various automotive battery designs currently in use.

Eric Dufek, a researcher, said, "We've significantly increased the amount of energy that can go into a battery cell in a short amount of time."

"Currently, we're seeing batteries charge to over 90 per cent in 10 minutes without lithium plating or cathode cracking," IANS quoted him as saying.

The researchers said that the model will be used by them to create even better procedures and assist in the creation of batteries for better charging.

Fast charging batteries are in production and might be in the market in the coming years. 
 
Meanwhile there are other innovations already around, like moving robo charging stations, attempts to have chargers in parking lots and malls and so on.

Till charging technologies become standardised and ubiquitous, adoption of electric vehicles will still be a long haul.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The demand for buying an electric car is rising. While a critical requirement in the fight against the climate crisis, the sector is dealing with some difficulties in convincing sceptics that switching to a sustainable mode of transportation will be worthwhile.

The demand for buying an electric car is rising. While a critical requirement in the fight against the climate crisis, the sector is dealing with some difficulties in convincing sceptics that switching to a sustainable mode of transportation will be worthwhile. The main issue is charging: Availability of enough charging stations along the routes, compatibility issues of different technologies adapted by charging stations and plug points in the cars, fire hazard, and the possible time taken for charging. Uncertainty over where and whether drivers will find a charging station when they need one continues to be a major barrier to the widespread adoption of electric vehicle mobility. Another important concern for the drivers is battery life -how long will it last? Or, how long will it take to charge? It is widely assumed that charging is more expensive than gasoline. Also read | Ford cuts 3,000 jobs as it pivots to EVs, competes with Elon Musk's Tesla Many have come up with solutions to these problems. In 2021, an Israel-based company claimed to have batteries that could be charged in five minutes. US researchers recently came up with a design for batteries to be charged in 10 minutes. In 2021, StoreDot claimed that they had developed a new lithium-ion battery that could be charged in five minutes. The company is known for its extremely fast-charging batteries in mobiles, drones, and scooters to showcase its technology to carmakers. The firm hopes to be able to charge an automobile battery of 100 miles of range in five minutes using the current infrastructure for charging. Recently, US researchers have come up with a solution to the charging time duration, claiming that they have designed a superfast method that can fully charge several EV batteries in 10 minutes or less without causing any damage to the vehicle. They said that it needs to be checked for balance to charge the lithium-ion batteries that power automobiles. Also read | UK’s first mass-produced hydrogen truck unveiled by commercial EV startup Tevva One option to charge the car faster is to modify the charging protocol in a way that maximises charging speed while protecting the various automotive battery designs currently in use. Eric Dufek, a researcher, said, "We've significantly increased the amount of energy that can go into a battery cell in a short amount of time." "Currently, we're seeing batteries charge to over 90 per cent in 10 minutes without lithium plating or cathode cracking," IANS quoted him as saying. The researchers said that the model will be used by them to create even better procedures and assist in the creation of batteries for better charging. Fast charging batteries are in production and might be in the market in the coming years. Meanwhile there are other innovations already around, like moving robo charging stations, attempts to have chargers in parking lots and malls and so on. Till charging technologies become standardised and ubiquitous, adoption of electric vehicles will still be a long haul. (With inputs from agencies)

Charging EV in 10 minutes may be possible, but electric vehicle adoption depends on more such options

Gas stations in Germany will be required to provide charging for electric vehicles as part of the country’s €130 billion coronavirus stimulus package. Watch report.

Germany: All gas stations to provide EV charging, Scheme part of $146 BN stimulus