Chennai, Feb 3 (IANS): Electric vehicle maker Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions Ltd on Monday said it has signed an agreement Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd to offer fully charged batteries on swappable basis for its battery operated vehicles through the latter's petrol bunks.

In a statement issued here, Kinetic Green said a two minute battery swap will be deployed by the two companies for three wheelers with the support of Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IITM).

The solution has already been implemented on a fleet of Kinetic Green E3W at Kochi and Lucknow, the statement added.

The partners will now expand the alliance to cover many more cities across the country over next few months.

This model is designed to address some of the critical concerns and deterrents faced by the drivers for owning and operating electric three-wheelers.

Due to separation of battery from the EV, initial EV cost is halved and brought below price of ICE counterparts.

The alliance facilitates a convenient battery network as BPCL can leverage its existing 12,000 gas stations to erect the battery swapping stations, making it very convenient for passengers to access them.

"Kinetic Green is extremely happy to partner with BPCL to bring this ground-breaking innovative solution for its customers of 'EV with Swappable Battery Technology'," Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO, Kinetic Energy said.

Kinetic Green and BPCL have developed the solution in association with IITM.