responsAbility to Invest up to USD 25 Million in BluSmart, Southeast Asia’s Largest Integrated EV Ecosystem
Zurich and Gurugram, 29 January 2024 — As part of its broader USD 500 million climate investment strategy aimed at actively reducing CO2 emissions in Asia, responsAbility will invest up to USD 25 million on behalf of its investors in BluSmart, India’s leading EV ride-hailing service and EV charging infrastructure network. This investment will help BluSmart expand its EV charging infrastructure across India and is a significant step in responsAbility’s mission to mobilize capital and invest in solutions that generate positive societal and environmental impact in emerging markets. Headquartered in India, BluSmart currently operates the largest vertically integrated EV ecosystem in Southeast Asia. Its indigenously built, born-electric technology stack operates 6,000 BluSmart EVs (100% electric ride-hailing service) and has completed over 11 million all-electric trips, covering 360 million all-electric kilometers, saving ~26,000 metric tons of CO2 since inception. BluSmart also owns and operates 4,000 EV chargers across its 35 EV charging locations spread over 1.4 million square feet in the densely populated megacities of Delhi NCR and Bangalore. BluSmart crossed USD 50 million in annual revenue run-rate and is growing at 100% year-on-year.
Supporting India’s eMobility and EV Charging Infrastructure Ambitions
BluSmart is building an integrated energy infrastructure, mobility and technology business to decarbonize mobility at scale, and these funds will be deployed to build large-scale EV charging superhubs to enable the expansion of its electric ride-hailing service. The investment follows BluSmart’s USD 24 million equity round, which was announced in December 2023. BluSmart has also secured USD 200 million in long-term, sustainable EV asset financing from leading Development Financial Institutions (DFIs).
Co-Founder’s Vision for India’s eMobility Growth
Anmol Singh Jaggi, Co-Founder of BluSmart, said: “BluSmart has been at the forefront of India’s EV mission. Since inception, we have made large-scale investments in real EV assets and EV infrastructure with a singular focus on decarbonizing mobility at scale. With responsAbility’s investment and support, we will continue our mission to rapidly scale our iconic 100% EV ride-hailing service and build large EV charging infrastructure for a better, cleaner and a more sustainable future. Backed by some of the largest funds focused on energy infrastructure, energy transition and climate change, this new round marks a significant milestone in BluSmart’s journey to lead India’s transition to a zero-emissions mobility future.”
responsAbility’s Commitment to Reducing Carbon Emissions in Asia
Sameer Tirkar, Principal APAC for Climate Finance at responsAbility said: “BluSmart's pioneering role in reducing carbon emissions in urban transport aligns perfectly with responsAbility's mission to invest in sustainable businesses that create positive environmental and social impact. We are dedicated to supporting these climate-focused growth companies that are actively reducing CO2 emissions in Asia through targeted investments in low-emission technologies. The BluSmart team has built a commendable EV ride-hailing and EV charging infrastructure business in India and is building world-class electric charging infrastructure, which is key to the rapid adoption of EV penetration in India.”
Building on responsAbility's Commitment to Climate Action
This investment in BluSmart is in line with responsAbility's ongoing dedication to climate action in Asia, as evidenced by its announcement on 28 November 2023. In collaboration with Germany's development bank KfW and the Dutch development bank FMO, responsAbility launched a USD 500 million climate investment strategy. This strategy, which aims to actively reduce CO2 emissions in Asia, focuses on investments in low-emission technologies.
About BluSmart BluSmart is India's largest born-electric, full-stack and vertically integrated EV ride-hailing service and EV charging infrastructure network. BluSmart is building an integrated energy- infrastructure, mobility & technology business to decarbonize mobility at scale.
About responsAbility Investments AG responsAbility Investments AG is a leading impact asset manager specializing in private market investments across three investment themes. These themes directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Financial Inclusion, to finance the growth of Micro & SMEs; Climate Finance, to contribute to a net zero pathway; and Sustainable Food, to sustainably feed an ever-growing population. All responsAbility investment solutions target specific measurable impact alongside market returns.
Since its inception in 2003, responsAbility has deployed over USD 15.3 billion in impact investments. With over 270 employees collaborating across 8 offices, as of 30 June 2024 the company manages USD 5.0 billion in assets across approximately 280 portfolio companies in around 70 countries. Since 2022, responsAbility has been part of M&G plc, the international savings, and investments business, and contributes to enhancing M&G’s capabilities in impact investing.
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Richard Rogers
responsAbility Investments AG
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