1. Statiq forges a partnership to set-up EV charging stations along highways.

EV charging company Statiq has announced a tie-up with wayside amenities company 'Cube Stop'. Under this partnership, Statiq will install EV charging stations at multiple Cube Stop locations, starting with Anantapur on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Highway (NH 44). The EV charging station will be compatible with electric cars, electric trucks & buses.

The two partners aim to set-up a widespread charging infrastructure to support long-distance EV travel. Statiq will leverage Cube Stop’s strategic presence along the country’s major highways to get rid of range anxiety in EV users who are planning long inter-city trips. Cube Stop is known for its wide range of amenities including branded food outlets, restrooms, petrol pumps & 24/7 convenience stores.

2. North East India to get multiple EV charging stations.

A+ Charge (A Plus Charge), a Guwahati (Assam)-based EV charging solutions company and Kerala-based chargeMOD, have joined hands to set-up an EV charging network in Northeast India.

The two companies will follow chargeMOD’s Kerala model for EV charging infrastructure deployment in the northeast. The partners aim to set-up EV chargers at more than 1000 locations across NE India.

3. ChargeZone receives fresh funding to expand its fast EV charging network.

EV fast-charging infrastructure company ChargeZone has recently secured an investment of $19 million from British International Investment (BII). Srini Nagarajan, MD & Head of Asia, BII, gave a statement: "Our support of ChargeZone's expansion will address the challenge of an underdeveloped EV charging infrastructure, facilitate a more sustainable transportation system and make EVs a viable & accessible option for many across the country". This fresh funding will be utilized towards expanding ChargeZone’s fast-charging network across the country. It is expected that the new funding will help deploy around 1500 EV charging stations in the next 2 years. The company aims to set-up 10,000 charging stations by 2027.

With this capital infusion, Charge Zone will expand its fast charging network for electric cars, electric trucks & buses across key cities & highways in the country.

4. Mercedes tests a 1000 kW fast charging system.

Mercedes conducted a successful test of a 1000 kW (1MW) fast-charging system under the new Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard. The company's engineers tested the MCS for the Mercedes-Benz ‘eActros 600’ semi-truck prototype. This model was introduced in 2023 and will enter production for Europe in 2024.

Mercedes-Benz tested the tech at an EV charging station at its R&D facility in Worth am Rhein (Germany). Siemens had provided the DC fast charger for this test. The photo below shows the EV being charged at 1000+ kW:

The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 semi comes with a 621 kWh battery pack which offers a range of 500 km. Using the new 1 MW charger, the battery can be juiced up from 20-80% in just 30 minutes. Upon launch, the electric truck will come with a CCS2 charging inlet rated at 400 kW. The MCS charging option for 1 MW charging will be available later. The MCS tech will be retrofitted in this truck model.

Apart from Mercedes, another Germany-based company MAN Truck & Bus, charged its electric truck at a 700 kW prototype charging station from ABB. This also falls under the ambit of MCS charging in the industry, even though it didn’t touch the 1 MW figure. MAN is also aiming to achieve the MW mark soon. Sweden-based commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania is also working with ABB for MCS charging.

5. Magenta Mobility signs an agreement to supply electric mobility solutions.

Magenta Mobility, an end-to-end EV solutions company, has signed an agreement with Kuehne+Nagel, a multinational logistics company, to transition the latter’s fleet in the country to electric. Magenta will provide electric mobility solutions to Kuehne+Nagel.

A ceremony to commemorate the partnership was held at Magenta Mobility’s headquarters in Bengaluru.

For complete EV charging solutions, explore the Kazam website.