Charge+Zone, one of India’s fastest growing EV charging company has launched what it claims is the country’s first-ever SuperCharging Network. The network strategically places superchargers on major highways and within city centres, offering amenities such as washrooms, restaurants, and shopping facilities. Additionally, selected stations also incorporate solar panels on canopies for sustainability.
The first supercharging stations is set to become operational in Mumbai and CCD, Vellore in November 2023. These stations are equipped with 180 KW dual gun chargers and 360 KW power cabinets, which includes: four guns that can deliver 60 KW each at 200 Amp, and one gun that can deliver 500 A (DC) current with liquid cooling. This it claims is the first time this technology has been introduced in India. Charge+Zone’s superchargers are designed to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), supplying high-power DC voltage and current directly to EV batteries for swift charging.
Kartikey Hariyani, Founder and CEO, Charge+Zone said, “We are proactively addressing the escalating need for rapid, efficient charging solutions, both along the highways and within the bustling city hubs as a new generation of EV buses and EV trucks are being launched in the country.”
Ravindra Mohan, Director (Operations & Technology), Charge+Zone said, “The EV charging process is seamlessly managed by the vehicle’s Battery Management System (BMS), incorporating system health checks and automatic cost deductions. These superchargers possess high capacity, with at least one capable of delivering 400/500 A DC current. They serve the needs of long-haul transportation and city-based EVs, providing a comprehensive charging solution with an estimated charging time of 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the vehicle’s battery capacity.”
The network is part of Charge+Zone’s strategy to establish over 150 superchargers throughout the country, creating a robust and reliable EV charging infrastructure. The decision to expand the supercharger network in these specific cities was prompted by the high traffic volume on the Chennai-Bengaluru highway, one of South India’s busiest routes, and the need for fast and convenient charging options in prime commercial complexes like BKC, Mumbai. These superchargers will provide truck and bus fleet operators the opportunity to transition their mid-mile transportation fleet to EVs, with quick and reliable charging. The dedicated EV tariff line laid by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) and the separate substation installed by Charge+Zone at CCD Vellore will make charging even more convenient for fleet operators.
Being an early entrant he company has forged partnerships with various EV companies and stakeholders including Hyundai Motor India, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, Tata Motors, MG Motors, Kia Motors, Marriott, Hyatt, Fortune, Landmark Group – all prominent players in India’s growing EV ecosystem.
By March 2023, Charge+Zone had more than 3,200 charging points across over 1,600 EV charging stations operational or under construction in 37 Indian cities. Their network has covered over 10,000 kilometres of highways, with an ambitious goal to reach one million charging points by 2030. Additionally, the company plans to integrate solar and wind power generation for their charging stations wherever possible, in accordance with state policies and electricity regulations.
