Ather Energy has been one of the only EV makers to have established a widespread network of fast chargers, with over 4,300 charging points across our country. We had previously reported that Ather is working on a Gen-2 design for its Grid fast chargers, and we can now exclusively share images and details of the same.
- New Ather Grid charger is more compact
- Charging cutoff at 80 percent SOC will continue
- Remains to be seen if the current cost of Rs 1/km changes
Ather Grid Gen-2 chargers to debut soon
It can charge both Ather and Hero’s Vida electric scooters
From the image, it is plain to see that the new generation of Grid fast chargers will be a fair deal more compact and slimmer than before. That’s not all, and our sources have informed us that, in addition to being smaller, the Gen-2 Grid charger is expected to double the charging speed of the current charger.
For reference, the existing Grid charger can top up any Ather electric scooter at a rate of 1.5km/min and any Vida electric scooter at 1.2km/min, since Hero EVs use the same open-sourced charger connector as Ather’s products.
For now, it appears that these Gen-2 Ather Grid chargers are supplementing the existing network of fast chargers, although a replacement may occur in the long run. Select locations in Bengaluru have started receiving these Gen-2 Grid chargers, with a phased nationwide rollout expected to follow once the company officially reveals these units at its upcoming Community Day on August 30 – where the new EL scooter platform will be showcased as well.
As of the writing of this piece, Ather charges its customers Rs 1/min for using its Grid fast charging network, and it remains to be seen if this number will increase for the Gen-2 fast chargers. Another point that bears mentioning is that the Ather Grid chargers stop charging the vehicle once it reaches 80 percent SOC, a practice expected to continue with this latest Grid charger, too.
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
