Battery Smart, an Indian battery-swapping startup for electric two and three-wheelers, has partnered with quick commerce unicorn Zepto.

The partnership will allow Zepto's EV delivery partners to access Battery Smart's network of over 1000 battery-swapping stations across 30 cities.

Battery swapping is a system where a consumer exchanges a discharged battery for a charged one at a battery swapping centre. This process reduces the downtime required to charge batteries, making it more efficient for users.

Battery Smart's centres will allow Zepto's delivery partners to swap their batteries within two minutes, ensuring minimal wait times and higher productivity.

Plans to deploy 10,000 new EVs
The partnership will also empower Zepto to deploy 10,000 new electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet in the financial year 2024-25.

Currently, EVs account for 20% of India's last-mile delivery market, aligning with the government's goal of achieving 30% vehicle fleet electrification by 2030.

Yogiraj Gogia, Senior Director of Partnerships and Fleet Business at Battery Smart, said, "We are thrilled to partner with Zepto to enable greener last-mile deliveries and empower more delivery partners to join the EV revolution."

"Zepto's growth over the past year has been remarkable, and now, with access to our growing network of swap stations, we look forward to seeing it scale even further by deploying more EVs to its fleet," Gogia said.

Reducing the capital expenditure

Battery Smart's Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model reduces the capital expenditure associated with purchasing EVs without batteries.

This model makes electric mobility more affordable and accessible for delivery partners.

Vikas Sharma, COO of Zepto, highlighted, "Our association with Battery Smart gives us access to the country’s largest network of battery swapping stations, ensuring our delivery partners are always in proximity to a swap station, with zero wait time. This will also empower partners to save time, complete more deliveries, and ultimately increase their earnings."

Battery Smart market presence
Battery Smart has established its battery swapping stations in Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities across various states, including Haryana, the National Capital Region (NCR), Karnataka, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and most recently, Maharashtra.

By leveraging Battery Smart's extensive network and innovative battery-swapping technology, Zepto aims to bolster its delivery operations and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for last-mile delivery in India.