Ather Energy, a leading manufacturer of electric scooters, has joined forces with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to strengthen and expand India’s largest EV two-wheeler fast charging network, the Ather Grid. As a result of this strategic collaboration, Ather Energy obtains entry to BPCL’s wide-ranging network of more than 21,000 fuel stations throughout India, allowing for the establishment of Ather’s public fast-charging Grid.
Already boasting the country’s largest EV two-wheeler charging network with over 1,400 chargers in 100 cities, Ather Energy aims to accelerate the expansion of the Ather Grid and serve the growing customer base of Ather electric scooters nationwide. With the Ather App, users can easily find these rapid chargers and access real-time data on charger availability, ensuring smooth and well-planned charging sessions.
Through this partnership, Ather Energy’s presence in urban regions is fortified, and the establishment of charging infrastructure along busy intercity routes is made more convenient and efficient. This collaboration strengthens Ather Energy’s coverage in metropolitan areas and facilitates the deployment of charging infrastructure along intercity routes with high usage. In the initial phase, Ather Energy successfully installed four fast chargers at various locations in Delhi NCR and plans to scale up to over 100 fast chargers at BPCL locations across India by the year’s end.
Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer of Ather Energy, emphasized the company’s commitment to building a strong and extensive charging infrastructure for accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India. The partnership with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a prominent oil and gas company, marks a significant step forward in creating a nationwide fast-charging network called Ather Grid. By collaborating with BPCL and utilizing their network of 21,000 fuel stations, Ather Energy aims to bring the Ather Grid closer to customers across the country. This strategic alliance is seen as a pivotal factor in enhancing the accessibility of charging infrastructure as EV adoption continues to grow.
Rajiv Dutta, Head Retail North at BPCL, highlighted the company’s dedication to aligning with India’s vision of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. BPCL is making steady progress towards converting 7,000 of its conventional Retail Outlets into Energy Stations as part of a comprehensive decarbonization strategy to support and prioritize sustainable initiatives. Given that electric two-wheelers are leading the way in EV adoption, having a charging infrastructure at Retail Outlets will instil confidence and convenience for early EV adopters, promoting the widespread use of electric vehicles.
BPCL remains at the forefront of promoting clean energy, aiming to create a network of 7000 Energy Stations across India, with a strong focus on EV charging. Ather Energy’s alliance with BPCL is a strategic move towards offering top-notch EV charging solutions to customers at their Energy Stations, ushering in an exciting future for innovative solutions in the EV sector.
The collaboration between Ather Energy and BPCL is a significant milestone in advancing India’s EV charging infrastructure. With a focus on expanding coverage, starting with Delhi NCR and extending nationwide, Ather Energy is committed to providing convenient and accessible charging solutions for its valued customers.
