'20 pc to 80 pc in 20 mins': Mahindra's Charge_IN network aims for 1,000 EV stations by 2027

Automaker Mahindra on Tuesday announced plans to establish 250 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations—equipped with 180kW chargers—near India's key highways and high customer traffic points to make fast charging more available to the general public.

These 250 charging points will form a part of the company's Charge_IN network initiative, which plans to create over 1,000 charging points by the end of 2027.

These charging points will also be made available on the ME4U app, which helps commuters locate EV charging stations nearest to them.

In that regard, the company has already inaugurated the first two Charge_IN stations at Hoskote on NH75 (along the Bengaluru-Chennai highway) and Murthal on NH44 (about 50km from Delhi). The 180 kW dual gun chargers at each station have the power to charge four EVs at once, the company claimed. 

It added that the chargers could charge electric vehicles from 20 per cent power to 80 per cent in approximately 20 minutes.

This is a major step by Mahindra in line with broader government plans to develop and reinforce India's EV infrastructure.

"Our aim is to make long-distance travel with an electric vehicle effortless and reliable like conventional driving, thereby building customer confidence and accelerating India's transition to electric mobility," said Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO (Automotive Division) at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and Executive Director at Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd.

"Electric mobility is about driving a larger shift towards cleaner, sustainable transportation ... With our ultrafast charging network by Charge_IN, we will be creating an open and accessible network for all EV users," he added.

This announcement comes ahead of the launch of Mahindra's highly anticipated seven-seater electric SUV, the XEV 9S, on Thursday.