Indian electric vehicle charging and energy management company Kazam has launched a nationwide program offering eligible charge point operators free integration with the Unified Bharat e-Charge network. The initiative is open for seven days from July 14, 2026, and is designed to connect existing charging infrastructure to the interoperable platform without upfront integration costs. Kazam said the program would help reduce technical and financial barriers preventing charging operators from participating in India’s emerging open charging ecosystem.
Addressing Fragmentation in EV Charging
India’s expanding electric vehicle market is supported by a growing number of charging networks, but drivers frequently rely on separate applications and payment systems for different operators. Unified Bharat e-Charge is intended to address this fragmentation by creating an open interoperability layer through which compatible applications can access multiple participating networks. The platform is being developed by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, and the National Payments Corporation of India.
Through the network, electric vehicle users are expected to be able to locate charging stations, check real-time availability, compare tariffs, reserve or begin charging sessions, and complete payments. This structure could reduce the need for drivers to maintain numerous accounts or download individual applications for each charging provider. Greater interoperability may also make privately operated chargers easier to discover and use across different mobility and payment platforms.
Seven-Day Operator Onboarding
Kazam will connect participating charge point operators to Unified Bharat e-Charge through its Beckn Provider Platform, which provides the infrastructure required to interact with the open network. Operators can retain their existing charger management systems, consumer applications, pricing structures, charging assets, and customer relationships rather than replacing their current technology. Kazam said operators using systems compatible with the Open Charge Point Interface can generally complete integration, testing, and certification within seven days.
Eligible participants will receive end-to-end onboarding assistance covering network assessment, protocol enablement, OCPI integration, sandbox testing, and initial transaction validation. The program will also support the standardized exchange of information such as charger status, availability, tariffs, session data, billing records, and settlement details. Interested operators are required to contact Kazam for an initial technical assessment during the limited registration period.
Expanding Access Without Rebuilding Systems
Akshay Shekhar, co-founder and chief executive of Kazam, said the industry does not need every charging operator to develop another standalone consumer application. Instead, the company wants reliable chargers to become accessible through an open and trusted network while ensuring that integration expenses do not exclude capable operators. Kazam plans to provide the provider-side infrastructure needed for operators to connect their current systems without rebuilding their businesses from the ground up.
The company is among the early technology partners supporting Unified Bharat e-Charge and has already enabled interoperable charging transactions involving BHIM and other ecosystem participants. By integrating with the network, charging operators can expose their stations to a wider range of compatible applications and potentially reach more electric vehicle users. They would nevertheless retain operational control over their infrastructure, pricing policies, and direct customer relationships.
Supporting a Unified Charging Market
The program reflects a broader effort to establish common digital infrastructure for India’s electric mobility sector as charging networks continue to expand. A shared interoperability framework could improve charger utilization by allowing users to access stations through applications they already use rather than through operator-specific platforms. It could also make it easier for smaller charging providers to participate in a larger nationwide ecosystem without making substantial investments in new consumer-facing technology.
However, the initiative’s long-term impact will depend on the number of operators that successfully join the network and the reliability of data exchanged between participating systems. Consistent station availability information, transparent pricing, functional payment processing, and dependable settlement mechanisms will be essential to building user confidence. Wider industry adoption would ultimately determine whether Unified Bharat e-Charge becomes a meaningful national access layer rather than another limited charging platform.
Kazam’s free integration program is intended to accelerate operator participation in Unified Bharat e-Charge by removing initial costs and simplifying technical onboarding. The initiative offers charging providers a way to increase the visibility of their networks while continuing to operate their existing systems and commercial models. As India’s electric vehicle market grows, interoperable infrastructure could become increasingly important in creating a more accessible, efficient, and unified charging experience.