CHARGE ZONE plans USD 360M investment in EV supercharging network

CHARGE ZONE, an EV charging network headquartered in Vadodara, India, has unveiled a significant expansion strategy for its supercharging infrastructure. Over the next four years, the company plans to invest USD 360 million to establish 25 new supercharging stations and aims to reach a total of 500 stations nationwide. These stations, ranging in capacity from 360KW to 1.2MW, represent a substantial increase from their current facilities.

The expansion is designed to support electric buses, trucks, and personal mobility vehicles, with a focus on key highways in Southern and Western India. Routes for expansion were selected based on geographic suitability, traffic density, land availability, and grid connectivity, including major corridors like Bangalore-Chennai, Bangalore-Hyderabad, Bangalore-Pune-Mumbai, and Mumbai-Ahmedabad.

According to Mr. Kartikey Hariyani, Founder and CEO of CHARGE ZONE, this initiative represents a significant step towards integrating sustainable solutions with micro-grids comprising Solar PV and energy storage. He stated, “Our six-months pilot roll out of the supercharging network yielded remarkable results with the strong utilization by inter-city electric cars and electric buses as the prime customers.  We received excellent customer feedback, with power utilization exceeding previous levels and significant traffic volumes recorded. During the first pilot of commercial rollout, we covered nearly 1500 kilometers, showcasing the network’s efficiency. The average charging time at the new supercharging stations is between 15 to 20 minutes, significantly shorter than the 45 minutes  required at fast DC charging  stations, which enhances user convenience and process efficiency.”

The company plans to support sustainable energy use through integrated solar rooftops and battery storage at its supercharging stations, aiming to influence the adoption of electric vehicles by enhancing range, reliability, efficiency, and cost savings. CHARGE ZONE will leverage platforms like PlugShare, Google Maps, and its own mobile app for widespread awareness and utilization.

Over the next six months, CHARGE ZONE plans to expand its network by increasing station numbers and deploying superchargers to enhance charging speed for 4W EVs. The strategy includes strategic station placement, route planning, and high-speed capabilities with mobile app integration and payment options. Safety measures include 24/7 surveillance, emergency support, and efficient maintenance through remote monitoring.

As per the company statement, CHARGE ZONE aims to electrify 150,000 kilometers of highways, targeting key routes with 1000 stations and optimizing operations based on user feedback. Supported by partnerships with government bodies and private entities like AUDI, GENTARI, HYUNDAI, MERCEDES BENZ, MG Motors, TATA Motors, among others, the company ensures station reliability through scheduled maintenance, remote monitoring, customer support, and necessary upgrades.

Also read: CHARGE+ZONE launches new EV charging software solution ‘ChargeCloud’