Ather Fast Charging Stations in India: Locations, Numbers, and Cost

The growing demand for cleaner, sustainable modes of transportation has fueled the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) in India. Among the front-runners in the EV two-wheeler segment is Ather Energy, a Bengaluru-based startup that has made a significant impact with its innovative electric scooters. Established in 2013 by Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain,

Ather Energy

Ather Energy with its wide spectrum of service plans - Ather Care, Ather Care Plus, and Ather Care Max - is designed to cater to varying customer needs. These plans cover a duration of one year or 10,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, offering extensive maintenance options to ensure a seamless ownership experience. These plans provide varying levels of service, ensuring that customers can select a package tailored to their usage and preferences. This move highlights Ather’s commitment to customer satisfaction, alongside its efforts to build a robust charging infrastructure.

Where are Ather Fast Charging Stations Located?

Ather Energy has strategically positioned its fast-charging stations across India to ensure convenience for electric scooter users. The Ather Grid network is primarily found in metropolitan cities, tier-2 cities, and key commercial hubs, making it easier for riders to find charging points during daily commutes or longer journeys. The company has placed these stations at malls, cafes, office spaces, tech parks, gyms, and other frequently visited locations to enhance accessibility. The goal is to ensure EV riders never experience range anxiety, a common concern for electric vehicle owners.

Strategically placed, these stations offer fast and reliable charging, enabling riders to quickly recharge and get back on the road. Ather Grid stations are equipped with fast chargers that drastically reduce charging time. Using the Ather Grid app, riders can locate nearby stations, get real-time charger availability, and track their sessions remotely. Charging stations are found in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, with Ather expanding to smaller cities. If you are not using Ather Grid App then also it’s completely alright, just instead of blindly searching “Ather charging station near me,” explore authenticated charging offered by the company itself

(click here and find the Ather charging station near you

How Many Fast Charging Stations Does Ather Have?

As of 2024, Ather Energy boasts an extensive network of fast-charging stations. With Ather Grid, the company has established over 2700+ charging points across India which is 230+ cities, and the number continues to rise as Ather aggressively expands its network. The company plans to further expand in the years to come. This makes Ather one of the leading players in terms of EV charging infrastructure in India’s two-wheeler segment.

The company has strategically chosen high-traffic locations for its charging stations, ensuring that customers have access to a reliable charging solution no matter where they are in a major city. Ather's fast chargers are designed to work seamlessly with its range of scooters, offering convenience and speed to customers. Additionally, Ather continues to partner with various establishments such as restaurants, tech parks, and malls to further expand the network, making charging even more accessible to everyday commuters.

Charging Costs at Ather Fast Charging Stations

One of the key advantages of Ather’s fast-charging infrastructure is its pricing model, designed to be affordable and straightforward. Initially, Ather offered free charging as a promotion for the Ather Grid network. However, as the network expanded and the adoption of electric scooters increased, Ather introduced a paid model in several locations.

The charging cost typically depends on the location and type of service. As of 2024, Ather Energy offers a subscription-based model for its users, providing a set number of free charging sessions each month at Ather Grid stations. For those exceeding the free limit or without a subscription, a per-minute pricing system is in place. On average, the cost is approximately ₹15-20 per session, allowing for a top-up of about 15 km of range in 10 minutes, depending on the charge needed.

Factors influencing charging costs include battery size and capacity, charging efficiency, local electricity rates, and charging speed. For frequent users, the subscription model is a cost-effective choice, while the pay-as-you-go system offers flexibility for occasional users. As Ather expands its network and more EVs hit the road, the company continuously evaluates its pricing to keep it competitive while maintaining premium charging speeds.

Do Ather Fast Chargers Support Other Brand EVs?

Taking the developing phase of the Indian EV industry into account, it makes less sense for companies to isolate their charging infrastructure for other electric vehicles. So, yes, you can charge other electric vehicles (EVs) that follow the IS17017 (Part 2 / Sec 7) 2023 connector standard. The standard represents a category of light electric vehicles (LEVs), vehicles i.e. electric two- and three-wheelers, and microcars. Moving a step forward, the company has also unveiled its connector technology which will enable any electric vehicle to explore “fast-charging” solutions across the country, irrespective of the brand of the electric vehicle.

Moreover, in an exclusive move, Ather Energy has teamed up with Hero Vida to provide a wide range of charging stations to their users. This relationship translates into the user’s convenience in fast charging their respective electric scooter in any charging station operated by Ather or Vida. This partnership is one of its kind as the Ather Grid option does not provide the fast-charging option to other EVs; it provides just a regular charging point. However, if the user owns a Vida electric scooter, they can fast-charge their electric scooter in Ather grid. 

How Fast is Ather's Fast Charging?

One of the standout features of Ather’s fast-charging network is its speed. Ather scooters are equipped with lithium-ion batteries that support fast charging, and the Ather Grid stations are capable of charging these batteries at 1.5 km of range per minute. This means that in just 10 minutes of charging, a rider can add approximately 15 km to their scooter’s range. This quick top-up feature is particularly beneficial for urban commuters who may need a fast charge during their daily travel or in emergencies.

The fast-charging capability ensures that Ather owners can minimize downtime and quickly get back on the road. The fast-charging stations offer the convenience of charging up to 80% of the battery in about 40-50 minutes, depending on the model and the starting charge level. This makes Ather’s fast-charging network one of the most efficient for two-wheelers in India, offering a significant reduction in waiting time compared to home charging.

Maintaining a premium image

Just like Nilis Bohlin’s invention of the three-point seat belt for Volvo, who launched his product patent-free, embracing safety over profit, Ather Energy can also follow this “high road”. No doubt, the R&D of Ather Energy is dedicated to promoting the charging EV infrastructure of India, the technologies like Grid Network and Connector can truly benefit the entire ecosystem. With the Ather Grid network, the company is addressing one of the key challenges in EV adoption: access to fast, reliable, and widespread charging solutions. 

As India continues to shift towards electric mobility, Ather Energy’s proactive approach to building a fast-charging network will likely serve as a blueprint for other companies aiming to establish their presence in the EV market.