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NEW DELHI: The future of fuel stations in India could look radically different within the next few years. Rather than pumps staffed by attendants, motorists may find themselves interacting with intelligent robotic systems powered by artificial intelligence, as a Pune-based startup demonstrated at Europe’s largest technology summit this week.
The demonstration occurred as India made its debut as the official AI Country Partner at VivaTech 2026, hosting its largest-ever national pavilion. Repos Energy, a Pune-based energy-tech startup, was one of only 25 Indian companies selected under the DPIIT’s ‘Bharat Innovates’ initiative to showcase deep-tech innovations on this global stage.
The company presented a live working prototype of its Autonomous Fuelling Solution, an AI- and robotics-powered system designed to operate future fuel stations with minimal human intervention. Union Minister Goyal visited the booth while participating in the summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
More Than Just Technology—A Policy Commitment
What made the Repos Energy showcase particularly significant was not simply the demonstration of the prototype, but the government backing it received. During his visit to the startup’s booth at India’s largest-ever national pavilion at the event, Goyal made an explicit commitment about the nation’s energy future.
“India’s vision for energy transition is not just about adoption, it is about building the infrastructure that defines the future,” Goyal said. “Autonomous Fuelling is a critical piece of that puzzle, and the Government of India, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is committed to creating the right policy environment to introduce and scale this technology across the country. Startups like Repos Energy, who are building at the intersection of AI, IoT, and energy, are exactly the kind of innovators that will help India lead the global energy transition.”
This statement from India’s commerce minister signals something beyond ceremonial support. It reflects a strategic decision by the government to actively facilitate the introduction of autonomous fuelling infrastructure across the nation, moving beyond the typical role of passive observer at international technology events.
How the Technology Works And Why It Matters
Repos Energy’s prototype integrates multiple cutting-edge technologies that work in concert. The system relies on artificial intelligence-based demand forecasting to predict when and where fuel will be needed.
Internet of Things sensors enable remote monitoring of equipment, ensuring that problems can be identified and addressed before they disrupt operations.
Robotic dispensing mechanisms handle the actual fuel transfer, while digital payment infrastructure allows for frictionless transactions.
The design supports both conventional fuels and emerging energy sources, offering flexibility as India’s energy mix evolves. Critically, the system operates with minimal human intervention, a distinction that carries multiple implications.
From an operational standpoint, reduced human presence means lower labour costs and potentially improved safety. From an energy security perspective, it creates infrastructure that is less dependent on workforce availability, particularly useful in remote locations or during emergencies.
The system also represents a convergence of broader priorities. It addresses the need for operational efficiency in fuel distribution while simultaneously supporting India’s decarbonisation agenda, a critical element of the nation’s climate commitments.
From Last-Mile Delivery to Energy Infrastructure
Repos Energy’s journey to this moment offers context about how Indian startups are evolving. Founded in 2017, the company began with a deceptively simple question: “What if fuel came to you?” This foundational concept led to the creation of India’s first doorstep fuel delivery service, a model that challenged the traditional petrol pump system.
The company has already built an extensive operational network. It connects with more than 2,500 fuelling partners across India and serves over 25,000 businesses.
This real-world experience with fuel delivery logistics, combined with the founders’ understanding of the regulatory landscape, positioned Repos Energy differently than a startup entering the space with only theoretical knowledge.
The company received backing from Ratan Tata, India’s renowned industrialist, across two funding rounds. This endorsement carried weight in both financial and strategic terms, Tata’s involvement suggested confidence that the business model addressed a genuine market need.
Beyond capital, the founders worked directly with the government to establish the policy framework for doorstep fuel delivery, creating early understanding between the company and regulatory bodies about how innovation in energy distribution could be structured.
That institutional knowledge became crucial as Repos Energy pivoted from being primarily a logistics company into what it now describes as an AI-driven energy transition infrastructure company.
Aditi Bhosale Walunj, Founder of Repos Energy, described the moment as transformative: “Showcasing our Autonomous Fuelling vision here, on a day when India stands tall on the world stage, is a defining moment, not just for Repos Energy, but for every Indian entrepreneur who dares to build for the world. When we started in 2017, we never imagined it would bring us here. This is proof that when you build with conviction, the world takes notice.”
Chetan Walunj, Co-Founder, added: “The future of energy is autonomous, intelligent, and made in India. By combining AI, IoT, and robotics, we are not just reimagining fuel delivery, we are building the infrastructure that will power the world’s energy transition. This is Repos Energy’s commitment to Viksit Bharat, and beyond.”
Part of India’s Larger Deep-Tech Push
Repos Energy was selected as one of 25 high-potential startups by India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to represent the country under the “Bharat Innovates” theme. This positioning reflects India’s ambition to be recognized as a global deep-tech innovation hub rather than simply a technology market.
India’s AI Country Partner status at VivaTech marked the first time the event created such a designation for any country. This recognition reflects international acknowledgment of India’s artificial intelligence development capabilities.
The demonstration addresses real infrastructure challenges affecting millions of Indians, reliable fuel supply access, distribution efficiency, and reduced costs. Autonomous fuelling systems could be deployed in locations where traditional fuel stations are economically unfeasible, particularly in rural and remote areas.
The genuine test will be translating demonstration into deployment at scale. Success requires coordinated policy changes across multiple government agencies and establishing safety standards that don’t impede economic deployment. Repos Energy’s existing network and regulatory experience position it well to navigate this complexity.
For India, autonomous fuelling represents an opportunity to demonstrate that the nation can develop complex infrastructure technology addressing genuine national challenges, strengthening its position in the global economy’s energy transition.
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