Ather Energy To Install 1,000 Fast Chargers In Karnataka: Signs MoU With State Government

Manufacturers, buyers and everyone in the automotive space have by now understood that electric vehicles are the way to go. Multiple factors such as an increase in fuel prices, increased environmentalism, etc, have contributed majorly to this realisation.

However, the one thing that is holding more people back from biting the EV bug is range anxiety. This is further alleviated by the low number of EV chargers available for the public. A larger number of EV chargers will simply lead to an increase in EV adoption and that is exactly what manufacturers and now governments are aiming at.

Ather Energy is a pioneer of the EV movement in India. It started off back in 2013 as startup, but is now a full-blown EV manufacturer, selling its electric scooters across the country. Its flagship, the Ather 450X is a proper smart electric scooter with connectivity options, brilliant performance, and a futuristic design.

Alongside the scooter, Ather Energy has developed its own charger and charging grid. Ather Energy sells a small charger that can be installed at users' houses and then it also sells a fast charger. Ather has also developed its own charging network called Ather Grid.

The chargers made by Ather Energy perform well, have lots of safety features built into them and they look great as well. Now, these chargers are finally getting the recognition they deserve and more.

Ather Energy has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the ESCOMs (Electricity Supply Companies of Karnataka. These companies handle the supply of electricity to cities and towns in the state and will now provide the electricity to power the Ather Energy chargers being installed across the state.

1,000 Ather Energy fast chargers will be installed across the state in various towns and municipalities. All government agencies in the designated towns will coordinate with ESCOMs to share their available spaces for the installation of these chargers.

Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of Ather Energy and Rajendra Cholan, MD of BESCOM signed the MoU in the presence of the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai.

Tarun Mehta was quoted as saying, "We are excited to partner with the Govt. of Karnataka and thankful to the Hon. CM of Karnataka Mr. Basavaraj Bommai for his speed, support and commitment to set-up a statewide network of charging stations. A robust charging network is one of the most important factors in accelerating EV adoption. Karnataka has been at the forefront of EVs and this will further the lead."

So far, Ather Energy has installed 58 charging stations and over 300 Ather Grid charging points across 28 cities in India. The company aims at installing over 5,000 fast chargers across the nation and the 1,000 chargers that are to be installed in Karnataka will be a major stepping stone in achieving the larger objective.

Thoughts On Ather Energy Installing 1,000 Fast Chargers In Karnataka

The equation is simple - as the number of EV chargers rise, the number of EV buyers will also increase. Now, with Ather Energy installing over 1,000 fast chargers in Karnataka, it is easy to see where we are headed.