Log 9 Materials, Fortum join forces to deploy EV fast chargers in Hyderabad
Advanced battery technology startup Log 9 Materials has announced that it has partnered with EV charging infrastructure solutions provider Fortum Charge & Drive India to enable three-wheeler and two-wheeler owners/fleets to charge their vehicles within 15-30 minutes at DC fast-charging stations in Hyderabad.
Log 9 Materials has developed InstaCharge capabilities in their proprietary "RapidX" battery packs for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers. With Log 9's InstaCharging (15 minutes for 2-Ws 40 minutes for 3-Ws) batteries, the number of electric vehicles that can be charged in a given duration is considerably higher.
The collaboration, which is aimed at ensuring a smooth experience vis-à-vis providing accessible fast-charging stations to the Indian customers and/or end-users – will be for at least 24 months and can thereafter be mutually extended both in terms of period and scope.
As an outcome of this partnership, consumers charging Log 9 powered vehicles at Fortum's EV charging stations will be incentivized in terms of a preferential tariff. The tariff scheme is at present only applicable at charging stations located in Hyderabad and Vijayawada Highway; however, it will be expanded to other Tier 1, Tier 2, and metro cities soon.
Providing a larger number of vehicles allows higher per charger utilization, access to a new customer base of commercial 2W/3W on public chargers, provides for interoperable charging infrastructure, which can now charge all types of electric vehicles, depending on their compatibility.
Dr Akshay Singhal, Founder & CEO, Log 9 Materials stated, "Availability of widespread charging infrastructure is a key driver for EV adoption in India and forms a critical factor in terms of the customer experience too. On the other hand, to justify the charging infrastructure costs, a critical mass of EVs need to be functional on-road."
"Additionally, to minimize downtime and maintain operational efficiency of commercial vehicles, fast-charging is a must. Keeping these aspects in mind, our latest partnership with Fortum will attempt to make Log 9's InstaCharging mainstream for India's electric vehicles" he added.
Awadhesh Kumar Jha, ED, Fortum C&D India said "This association has come in at the right juncture in the electric mobility paradigm, wherein the largest mobility segment of customers with 2W & 3W were devoid of fast charging capabilities & relevant infrastructure access, thereby saving them precious time & quicker turnaround to cater to their respective customers,"
Fortum C&D India also plans to imitate the association to other cities & highways of mutual interest, specifically Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Vijayawada-Vizag, Delhi NCR, Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad, etc. The startup plans to implement its rapid charging battery packs in over 5,000 vehicles by the end of FY 2022.
