Ather sets up first charging infra in Bengaluru, plans smart charging points at every 4 km

Prior to its pre-order booking, electric smart scooter manufacturer Ather Energy has unveiled charging facility AtherGrid for electric vehicles in Bengaluru.

Aiming to provide charging station at every four kilometers in the electronic city, Ather Energy has currently installed 17 connected charging stations and claims to expand it to 30 charging points by the end of May 2018 and around 60 points by the end of this year.

Besides, the company plans to launch AtherGrid and Ather Space in Chennai by the year-end, followed by Pune.

The company, which is yet to start shipping its intelligent electric scooter S340, said that these charging points will be installed at malls, cafes, restaurants, tech parks, multiplexes and gyms and will be open for all-electric run vehicles.

The Tiger Global-backed company has reportedly partnered with host locations, who have installed the charging points called Points on a pro-bono basis. The company will soon initiate revenue share model for these charging stations.

To lure customers, Ather will offer free access to AtherGrid to all electric vehicle owners for the next 6 months and Customers of Ather's upcoming smart scooter S340 will get free access for 12 months.

The company will provide a mobile app for customers to find and navigate the next charging station with integrated payment options.

Post complimentary period pricing for charging points is yet to be disclosed.

Ather is expected to start pre-order window for the S340 in Bengaluru from June this year. The electric scooter maker recently inked a deal with a California-based company Sanmina Corporation to manufacture and develop key components designed by Ather such as charging system, battery management systems, and dashboard.

Ahead of the launch, the Tarun Mehta-steered company also plans to launch its first ‘Experience Center’ at Indiranagar in the state capital for enabling probable buyers to take test rides.

Apart from Tiger Global, the firm has raised about $40 million risk capital from Hero MotoCorp which holds about 30 per cent stake in the company. Flipkart’s co-founders Sachin and Binny Bansal have also led a $1 million worth seed round in Ather in December 2014.

The development was first reported by ET.