Ather Energy sets up 30 EV charging stations across Bangalore

Bangalore-based Hardware and electric vehicle startup Ather Energy today announced the launch of its charging infrastructure called AtherGrid for electric vehicles (EVs), AtherGrid, which is open to all EVs.

The company, known for its soon-to-be-launched, intelligent, electric scooter S340, has begun installations of the intelligent and connected charging stations across the city of Bangalore. A total of 30 charging points will be set up by the end of May 2018. By the end of the year, 60 charging points will be available in Bangalore. With this, there will be a charging station within 4km driving distance from any point in the city.  This is the largest charging infrastructure effort in an Indian city yet.

Installed at malls, cafes, restaurants, tech parks, multiplexes and gyms, they have been selected to cater to both four-wheelers and two-wheelers. For this, Ather Energy has partnered with host locations, which have installed Points pro-bono or voluntarily at their premises to offer a convenient experience for all EV owners in the city.

To improve EV ownership experience and increase adoption, AtherGrid and its accompanying app will be offered for free for the next six months to all electric vehicle owners. Using cloud connectivity, consumers can find the nearest Point available and navigate to the charging location using the app. Remotely monitoring charge status and integrated payment options offers EV owners a seamless charging experience.

L-R: Swapnil Jain, CTO and co-founder, Ather Energy and Tarun Mehta, CEO and co-founder, Ather Energy. 

Commenting on the launch, Tarun Mehta, co-founder and CEO, Ather Energy said, “Electric vehicles cannot become a viable alternative without making charging infrastructure availability a greater priority. It is critical for us to make public charging convenient and accessible. This is an important step towards increased adoption and acceptance of electric vehicles and in the long run will have a positive effect on the cost of the vehicles themselves. The number of entrepreneurs and businesses that have come aboard to be a part of AtherGrid is also a testament to the future of electric vehicles. As we prepare ourselves for the launch of the Ather S340, Bangalore was a natural choice to be the home city for AtherGrid. Range anxiety and the inconvenience associated with charging will not be a deterrent to adoption, as the industry grows.”

Ather’s Points have been designed and manufactured in India, keeping in mind the needs of the domestic power grid. Safety features ensure that electricity is drawn only when connected to a vehicle and protects vehicles from overcharging with auto power cut off. Electric vehicles will be protected from undervoltage, overvoltage and overcurrent.  And with an IP55 rated body it is safe to use in any weather.

Next steps? Scaling up both AtherGrid and the Ather S340, consecutively to other cities. It is understood the company is already in talks with around a dozen firms for AtherGrid intallations in Chennai and is also scouting in Pune, as it gears up for the launch of the S340 electric scooter. Stay plugged in as we bring you the latest news on this green enterprise. 

Also read: Sanmina Corp to make components for Ather S340 electric scooter in Chennai

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