Unified Bharat eCharge Brings Interoperable EV Charging Across India

Unified Bharat eCharge Targets Simpler EV Charging

Unified Bharat eCharge has been launched as a nationwide interoperable EV charging network designed to simplify how electric vehicle users discover and pay for charging services across India. Pulse Energy is participating as one of the first certified technology enablers for the network, which has been launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and the National Payments Corporation of India. The initiative allows EV users to locate participating charging points and complete payments through UPI on the BHIM app, removing the need to download separate applications or maintain operator-specific prepaid wallets.

BHIM UPI Enables Direct Charging Payments

At participating UBC charging points, drivers can use the BHIM app to identify an enabled charger, scan its QR code and pay for the charging session directly from their bank account through UPI. The process removes the requirement to preload a charging wallet or establish separate accounts with individual charging operators. By combining charger discovery with a familiar digital payment mechanism, the system is intended to reduce friction during charging journeys and make the payment experience more consistent for EV users travelling across different locations and charging networks.

Interoperability Addresses Charging Network Fragmentation

The initiative is intended to address fragmentation within India's EV charging ecosystem, where drivers have traditionally encountered multiple applications, operator-specific accounts and separate payment wallets. Under Unified Bharat eCharge, participating charging points can become accessible through a common interoperable network as users travel between cities and along national highways. This approach is designed to make charging infrastructure easier to discover and use while reducing dependence on individual network applications. The broader objective is to create a more connected charging experience as India's EV ecosystem expands and charging infrastructure becomes increasingly distributed.

Pulse Energy Connects Existing Charging Infrastructure

Pulse Energy currently works with more than 100 charge point operator partners and operates a connected network of more than 10,000 EV chargers. As a certified UBC technology enabler, the company is helping charge point operators connect their existing charging infrastructure to the interoperable network without requiring them to replace their hardware or abandon their individual brands. The integration allows participating chargers to become discoverable through UBC while operators retain their existing infrastructure. Pulse Energy will also support application providers across payments, mobility and automotive in connecting their services to the network.

Open Digital Infrastructure Supports UBC Expansion

The initial Unified Bharat eCharge rollout is available through the BHIM app, with participating chargers being added across cities and national highways. The network has been developed as digital public infrastructure using the open Beckn protocol, while the underlying infrastructure has been developed by the Network for Humanity team. The Ministry of Heavy Industries appointed Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited as the Project Implementation Agency and engaged NPCI BHIM Services Ltd for the network's design and development. The architecture is intended to support interoperability across participating charging ecosystem stakeholders.

Industry Leaders Highlight the Intended User Experience

Lalitha Nataraj, CEO of NPCI BHIM, said: “Multiple apps and wallet loading for EV charging is exactly what we wanted to solve for. Discover EV charges on BHIM payments app, charge, pay and go. Simple solution for everyone.” Akhil Jayaprakash, Co-Founder and CEO of Pulse Energy, said: “EV charging should not require drivers to think about which network they are using before they can plug in. The idea behind UBC is to make charging more accessible by bringing different networks onto a common infrastructure. For users, that means a simpler payment experience, while operators get the opportunity to serve users beyond their own applications.”

Feedback Mechanism Supports Further Network Development

Pulse Energy has established a feedback mechanism through the Unified Bharat eCharge platform, allowing users to share feedback and request additional features. Such feedback can be routed to the relevant government points of contact working on the network, creating a mechanism for identifying practical issues and potential improvements during the rollout. For India, the approach could support continued development of an interoperable charging ecosystem by connecting user experiences with the organizations responsible for the network's implementation, infrastructure and digital services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Unified Bharat eCharge?
Unified Bharat eCharge is a nationwide interoperable EV charging network designed to simplify charger discovery and payments across participating operators in India. The platform allows users to find compatible charging points and pay through UPI using the BHIM app, without maintaining separate operator-specific wallets or accounts. Pulse Energy is among the first certified technology enablers supporting the network by connecting existing charging infrastructure operated by charge point operators. The initiative uses digital public infrastructure and the open Beckn protocol to support interoperability across participating charging ecosystem stakeholders.