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Ather Grid: Building India’s Fastest EV Charging Network
Ather Energy
, a pioneering Indian brand, leads the electric scooter revolution, established in 2013 by Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, alumni of IIT Madras. Ather's vision continues beyond manufacturing high-end electric scooters. Yet, one of the biggest obstacles to mass adoption remains range anxiety. The rider is always apprehensive about running out of power before he reaches a charging station. That is where the fit for the Ather Grid will come in, the quickest public charging network across India, keeping the electric two-wheelers in mind. They believe that a strong charging network infrastructure will be an essential catalyst in the process of EV adoption. Their smart and connected scooters paired with the rapidly expanding Ather Grid network offer a convenient and sustainable future for urban mobility.Ather electric scooter comes with a free personal charger that is suitable for use in a 5A socket in indoor and outdoor facilities. Users can conveniently charge their electric scooters overnight with the provided charger. However, in any case of doubt about whether your vehicle will provide sufficient range or not, Ather Grid comes into action.
Fast, Reliable Charging on the Go
Fast-charging technology at Ather Grid stations can give up to 15 km of range per 10 minutes of charging. Though still large, this form factor reduction in charging time makes the solution workable and a proven time-saver for riders on the move. Traveling through city traffic, knowing that just a short stop at one of the Ather Grid stations will have you back on your way within minutes. This convenience eliminates range anxiety and further empowers riders to navigate urban environments confidently.
Widespread Network for Seamless Connectivity
Ather Grid stations are located in high-traffic spots like commercial hubs, apartment complexes, office buildings, and malls, to provide riders with hassle-free access during daily commutes or while running errands. No more taking a detour to charge your vehicle, Ather Grid makes the power source closer to you and integrates seamlessly into your day-to-day routine. It has already built 2500+ stations, successfully.
Apart from this becoming an Ather Grid host doesn’t cost you anything. All you need to do is provide the space and all the necessary permissions. Ather Energy will take care of everything - installation, operation, and maintenance of each public charging point. Moreover, for the first batch of Ather Grid hosts’, Ather Energy will install a sub-meter to track the electricity consumption of each charging point. This will measure the exact number of units consumed, based on which Ather Energy will reimburse the host, as per the applicable tariff.
Ather App: Your One-Stop Charging Solution
Ather's commitment to user experience does not end with the hardware. The intuitive Ather app is your window to the Ather Grid network: it identifies nearby charging stations in real time and tells their availability apart from the capability to initiate a charge remotely. This relieves you of frustrating waiting time at an occupied station. Additionally, one can track his or her charging progress through the app, thereby keeping one updated for planning time.
Transparency and Accessibility
Ather Grid comes with complete transparency on the cost of charging. There is a predefined cost per unit of electricity that any user consumes, which is re 1/min + GST fee (as per data available till July 2023), Hence, making it fair and predictable while getting their bills. The network currently is open to all-electric two-wheeler brands and is not limited to just Ather vehicles. That creates a collaborative approach toward
EVs
in India, where all stakeholders will gerade from the growing charging infrastructure.Way Forward: Scaling Up and Spreading the Charge
Ather Energy has aggressive expansion plans for its Ather Grid. It already has 2500+ stations and envisions even more fast-charging stations to be installed across India by the end of 2024. It works toward building a far-flung network to match the rising demand for EVs. Besides, Ather feels that collaboration holds immense potential for progress in building a robust EV ecosystem. For instance, it has partnered with Hero Moto Corp for an interoperable fast-charging network in India. In partnership with Hero Moto Corp, EV users will be able to use both VIDA and Ather grids across the country smoothly and can locate and navigate to charging stations via the My VIDA app and Ather app. This network of interoperable fast charging will accelerate EV adoption, strengthening the overall segment and will promote a convenient ownership experience.
Besides this, not only the Ather EV scooters but any fast-charging electric scooter following the connector standard, IS17017 (Part 2 / Sec 7) 2023 can use Ather’s fast charging network at a nominal cost. These partnerships and initiatives make for a win-win scenario for all stakeholders, helping drive EV adoption and making the ride experience much better.