One of the primary objectives of this collaboration is the expansion of public charging infrastructure to cover 100 cities. As the world transitions towards sustainable and eco-friendly mobility solutions, the Hero MotoCorp and Ather Energy partnership is positioned as a game-changing initiative in the Indian market.
Addressing Concerns with Quick and Convenient Charging
One of the critical challenges hindering the widespread adoption of electric vehicles is the perceived inconvenience associated with charging.
Key Features of Public Charging Infrastructure Evolution – Hero MotoCorp and Ather Energy
- Strategic Collaboration: Hero MotoCorp and Ather Energy join forces in a strategic collaboration to revolutionize public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in India.
- Changing Initiative: Touted as a transformative move for the Indian auto industry, Hero MotoCorp and Ather Energy's collaboration aims to hasten the adoption of electric cars.
- Technological Integration: Cutting-edge technology is leveraged to enhance the charging experience, incorporating smart features, real-time updates, and user-friendly interfaces for a hassle-free charging process.
LECCS Breakthrough
Hero and Ather’s Connector The collaboration’s centrepiece is the development of Light Electric Combined Charging System (LECCS). A system that has received approval from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). A widespread network that focuses on delivering a qualitative charging experience. Ather and My VIDA apps, designed with user-centric interfaces, provide EV users with info as needed.
The Scale of India’s EV Charging Ecosystem
Accessibility to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) adopting the LECCS standard, contribute to unifying the charging infrastructure. And looks set to grow as an agile response to the growing demands of the EV market. Overall exponential growth in charging infrastructure through the efforts of many OEMs and private players is not just a numerical milestone.
Hero and Ather’s 1900-Point EV
Power Play The selection of 100 cities for LECCS expansion is not arbitrary but a deliberate and strategic choice. One that caters to expected growth in EV adoption. As India takes small steps towards an electric future, the Hero XPulse200 and Ather Energy partnership stands as a beacon of progress. A harmonious and unifying effort towards establishing the largest EV charging ecosystem. “It’s designed with your entire family in mind, offering comfort, ample size, and a whole lot more—all wrapped up in one fantastic package,” Mehta said.
As per his post, the new escooter will be an evolution of Ather’s 450X series of escooters. The latest product launch announcement comes within three months after the startup raised INR 900 Cr from Hero Bikes and GIC through a rights issue. Mehta had then said that the fresh funds would be used to expand the startup’s product portfolio and footprint.
Ather’s total vehicle registrations in 2023 stand at 94,624 units so far as against 51,184 units in the entire 2022, as per Vahan data. With the rising adoption of EVs in the country, most EV players are strengthening their offerings. Several new players have also entered the market in the recent past, with River being the most recent to do so.
IPO-bound Ola Electric plans to launch multiple two-wheelers across scooter and motorcycle segments in the coming months and years. Meanwhile, TVS launched an INR 2.5 Lakh EV, TVS X, in August, which is currently the most expensive escooter in the Indian market. Ather Energy had been facing challenges after the Indian government cut subsidies for two-wheelers. Securing this investment from Hero MotoCorp will offer some relief for Ather Energy, concurrently bolstering Hero MotoCorp’s stake in the startup. This move will align with India’s focus on electrification, especially in the two-wheeler sector, which constitutes over 70% of the nation’s vehicles.
Atomicwork takes off with USD 11 million seed funding round
The employee support startup has announced its launch from stealth following the completion of a seed funding round, raising USD 11 million. The round was led by Blume Ventures and Matrix Partners, with participation from Storm Ventures, Neon Fund, and angel investors.
Atomicwork was founded in September 2022 by Vijay Rayapati, Kiran Darisi, and Parsuram Vijayasankar. Rayapati is a software-as-a-service veteran, whose startup Minjar was acquired in 2018 by Nutanix where he served as vice president and general manager before joining Atomicwork. Darisi and Vijayasankar were both part of Freshworks’ founding team. “With Atomicwork, we’re looking to help companies go from employee support to employee success. We believe every employee can drive growth and impact the business’s bottom line. By helping them move faster and accelerating productivity, we help deliver a culture of employee success aligned with business outcomes,” said Rayapati.
