Indofast Energy to Deploy 23 Battery Swapping Stations Across Mumbai Metro Line 3 Corridor

Battery swapping infrastructure provider Indofast Energy announced on Tuesday its aims to establish a network of 23 battery exchange facilities along Mumbai Metro's Aqua Line 3 corridor through a partnership with the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL). The company will position swapping stations at eight key points along the Aqua Line 3 route, including Aarey JVLR, SEEPZ, MIDC, Santacruz Metro, Bandra Kurla Complex, Dharavi, Worli, and Acharya Atre Chowk, according to the firm's statement.

The charging facilities will accommodate electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and compact commercial vehicles, the organisation confirmed. The infrastructure aims to serve delivery personnel, ride-hailing operators, and regular passengers travelling along the Aqua Line 3, facilitating electric vehicle adoption for complete journey requirements across this vital north-south transport corridor, Indofast Energy explained.

The alliance with Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited is an important milestone in developing sustainable urban transport solutions by linking mass rapid transit systems with effective last-mile connectivity alternatives for millions of daily travellers, the company stated.

"Our collaboration with Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) represents a paradigm shift in urban mobility planning, where we're integrating battery swapping infrastructure directly with Mumbai's metro network -- the lifeline of the city," Anant Badjatya, CEO of Indofast Energy, was quoted as saying.

Currently, Indofast Energy operates 19 swap stations throughout Mumbai, including the organisation's 1,000th facility at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus.

Each location will feature the company's sophisticated automated swapping technology, designed to accommodate various vehicle categories utilising the same battery platform.

"This partnership with Indofast Energy is an important step toward building a well-connected transport network for Mumbai. Setting up battery swapping stations at our key metro stations will help more people switch to electric vehicles for their short trips," R Ramana, Director (Planning) at MMRCL, was quoted as saying by PTI.