India’s First Biogas-Powered EV Charging Station at Bengaluru by GPS Renewables
When we talk about India’s transition to clean energy, most people think of solar panels and wind farms. But one startup has been quietly reshaping how we think about waste, renewable energy, and mobility.
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GPS Renewables, founded in 2012 by IIM graduates Mainak Chakraborty and Sreekrishna Sankar, has built its reputation on turning organic waste into clean energy. Now, it’s taking things a step further with India’s first biogas-powered EV charging station.
From Waste to Wheels – The Innovation
In Mumbai, GPS Renewables installed a pilot biogas-fed EV fast charging station, showing how renewable energy can directly power mobility. The setup runs on biogas generated from nearby hotels, restaurants, and food outlets. Instead of letting organic waste rot in landfills and release methane, the company channels it into a biomethane plant.
That plant converts 2 tonnes of waste per day into 240 cubic meters of biogas, which is enough to fully charge up to 8 electric cars daily. Unlike conventional chargers that rely on India’s largely coal-powered grid, this system makes EV charging 100% green.
And it’s fast too, vehicles can be charged in just 45 minutes, compared to the four-hour average at normal chargers.
Why This Matters for EV Growth
India’s EV sector is booming, with the government pushing adoption under the FAME scheme and states rolling out EV policies. But the big question remains: how do we ensure that EVs are truly clean if the power comes from fossil fuels?
Biogas-powered charging answers that question. It makes EVs part of a closed-loop system where local waste is recycled into energy that powers local mobility. The model also reduces pressure on the power grid and helps cities tackle their growing urban waste crisis.
Scaling Beyond a Pilot
GPS Renewables isn’t new to this game. The company has already set up 100+ biogas plants across India, working with municipalities and enterprises to manage organic waste sustainably. Their EV charging project is just one example of how they’re expanding into clean mobility solutions.
The firm is also incubating projects in BioCNG (compressed biogas), which has huge potential to replace diesel in buses and logistics fleets. If successful, this could reshape both transportation and waste management in Indian cities.
Business Model and Market Potential
The cost of charging at the biogas-powered station was pegged at ₹15 per kWh (excluding GST), making it competitive compared to conventional charging. Given that India generates over 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste every year, the raw material for scaling this model is practically endless.
Globally, the biogas market is projected to reach $126 billion by 2030, and the EV charging infrastructure market is expected to hit $121 billion by 2030. GPS Renewables sits right at the intersection of these two megatrends.
Driving Change Through Collaboration
What makes this initiative powerful is its collaborative nature. The biogas plant sources waste from local businesses, collected by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). This creates a circular economy where restaurants, municipalities, and EV users all benefit from the same system.
By aligning with India’s net-zero ambitions, GPS Renewables is proving that startups can play a pivotal role in scaling climate-positive infrastructure.
The Bigger Picture
At its core, GPS Renewables isn’t just about setting up one-off projects. It’s about redefining how India thinks about energy and waste. By integrating biogas with electric mobility, the company demonstrates a path toward cities where clean transport, sustainable waste management, and local communities are all interconnected.
For India’s EV future to be truly sustainable, initiatives like this will be critical. GPS Renewables’ model shows that we don’t just need more charging stations, we need smarter, greener ones.
