Aiming for an interoperable two-wheeler fast charging platform in the country that can reduce range anxiety for e-vehicle users, electric scooter manufacturer Ather Energy announced today that it will offer its proprietary charging connector to other OEMs to adopt for their two-wheelers. According to the company, this initiative will reduce range anxiety by allowing all scooters to access its 200+ fast chargers and enable more OEMs to build products on a common standard, thus lowering infrastructure investments.Robust charging infrastructure is one of the significant drivers in accelerating the faster adoption of e2Ws. However, to maximise the usage and efficiency of charging infrastructure, there need to be common connectors that can be used across products. The company’s Ather Grid provides normal speed charge options to e2Ws and e4Ws free of cost. Moreover, opening up Ather Energy’s connector technology will promote the use of a common connector, allowing all EV owners to use any fast charging solution across the country. Hence, enabling the entire ecosystem to work together to fast-track EV adoption in India.
While there are global standards for electric four-wheelers like the CHADEMO, CCS, etc. there are no connector standards available customised for two-wheeler fast charging, except in China. Two-wheeler fast charging requirements are unique. The shape and size of the vehicle make it infeasible to adopt a four-wheeler charging connector. Similarly, the same connector would be used for normal as well as fast charging. Indian road environment, temperature, and moisture require a standard designed for Indian conditions with adequate field tests for safety and equipment life, the company said.Designed by Ather, this connector has a combo AC and DC charging with the same connector. Furthermore, this connector size has been designed to be suitable for integration into e2Ws and e3Ws with CAN 2.0 communication with control and proximity pilot. Finally, it is intended for production at low costs, which allows it to be used in mass segment vehicles.Tarun Mehta, Co-founder & CEO, Ather Energy, said, “Sharing our proprietary charging connector is a big step for having a common connector and hence interoperable chargers for all two-wheelers. At this stage of the category, the industry needs these collaborations, and we are already in talks with some OEMs to take this industry collaboration forward.”