Pulse Energy has joined Unified Bharat eCharge (UBC) as one of the first certified technology enablers, supporting the nationwide interoperable EV charging network launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
The UBC network is designed to simplify EV charging by allowing users to discover participating charging stations and make payments through UPI on the BHIM app, without requiring separate applications, operator-specific accounts or prepaid charging wallets.
Under the system, EV users can open the BHIM app, locate a UBC-enabled charging point, scan the station’s QR code and pay directly from their bank account through UPI. The initiative aims to address fragmentation in India’s EV charging ecosystem, where users currently navigate multiple charging applications, accounts and wallets across different networks.
The initial rollout of UBC will include participating charging points across cities and national highways. The network is also expected to be integrated with other payment, mobility and automotive applications, allowing EV users to access UBC-enabled chargers through platforms they already use.
Pulse Energy will support these application providers in connecting to the UBC network, while also helping charge point operators integrate their existing infrastructure. Through the integration, operators can retain their existing charging hardware and brands while making their stations discoverable and accessible through the interoperable network.
The company currently works with more than 100 charge point operator partners and has a connected network of over 10,000 EV chargers. As a technology enabler for UBC, Pulse Energy will help these operators connect to the network and potentially reach a broader pool of EV users.
Lalitha Nataraj, CEO of NPCI BHIM, said the initiative is intended to eliminate the need for multiple applications and wallet loading for EV charging, enabling users to discover, charge and pay through the BHIM platform.
Akhil Jayaprakash, Co-founder and CEO of Pulse Energy, said interoperable charging infrastructure can make EV charging more accessible by bringing different charging networks onto a common platform, simplifying payments for users and expanding the reach of charging operators.
UBC Built on Open Digital Infrastructure
Unified Bharat eCharge has been developed as digital public infrastructure using the open Beckn protocol, with the underlying digital public infrastructure developed by the Network for Humanity (NFH) team. Its open architecture is designed to enable charging operators, technology providers and consumer applications to connect to a common ecosystem.
The initiative brings together participants across India’s EV and digital infrastructure ecosystem, with MHI, BHEL and NPCI supporting the national-level rollout.
MHI is supporting the development of the National Unified Hub for EV charging, or Unified Bharat eCharge, to establish an interoperable and consumer-focused EV charging ecosystem across India. BHEL has been appointed as the Project Implementation Agency, while NPCI BHIM Services Ltd (NBSL) is responsible for the design and development.
The UBC network is being rolled out on India’s Independence Day, with the number of participating charging points expected to expand nationwide. Pulse Energy has also established a feedback mechanism for users to share feedback and request new features for the network.
