Log 9 Materials Partners with Fortum to Deploy EV Fast Chargers

Bengaluru-based advanced battery technology startup Log 9 Materials has partnered with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure solutions provider Fortum Charge & Drive India to deploy and provide access to their public fast chargers for two-wheeler and three-wheeler EVs in India. 

The partnership will be for a duration of at least 24 months and can thereafter be mutually extended both in terms of period and scope.

Under this collaboration, 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 currently only applicable at charging stations located in Hyderabad city and Vijaywada Highway.

However, it will be expanded to other tier 1, tier 2, and metro cities of our country in the near future.

Log9 is facilitating access to commercial 2W and 3W electric customers with existing public fast chargers.

With Log 9’s InstaCharging (15 minutes for 2-wheelers, 40 minutes for 3-wheeler) batteries, the number of EVs that can be charged in a given duration is significantly higher.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Akshay Singhal, Founder & CEO, Log 9 Materials, said, “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 the 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. It is a step in the right direction, and as Log 9’s InstaCharge batteries’ commercial rollout takes shape, we are hoping that this partnership will go a long way in accelerating the EV revolution in India – which is only possible when multiple stakeholders come together to solve the existing bottlenecks in EV adoption. Over the long term, Log 9 and Fortum will work hand-in-hand to establish Log 9’s ‘InstaCharging’ on Fortum’s DC Fast chargers as the industry standard.”

“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,” said Awadhesh Kumar Jha (Executive Director – Fortum C&D India).

Fortum C&D India also plans to replicate the association to other cities & highways of mutual interest specifically Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Vijaywada-Vizag, Delhi NCR, Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad etc.

The start-up plans to deploy its Rapid Charging Battery Packs in over 5,000 vehicles by the end of FY 2022.