Haryana-based startup EarthtronEV aims to make highways friendly for EV users by making their charging experience hassle-free.
Founded in 2021 by Ashish Deswal, Haryana-based startup EarthtronEV wants to become the leader in EV charging across Delhi-NCR and major highways. The company targets individuals (HNIs) and institutions interested in investing in setting up charging stations. In addition, they are trying to develop a “value add” for customers of their charging stations.
They recently set up a dedicated public charging station capable of servicing seven cars simultaneously in Mayur Vihar, New Delhi. The availability of car-servicing creates the “value add” for customers of the charging stations. “Nobody wants to spend 45 to 50 minutes or even an hour charging the vehicle and sitting idle. It becomes much easier if you integrate your station with servicing stations or dhabas (roadside eateries),” says Ashish.
The company has a dedicated team to find suitable locations, offering a revenue-sharing model wherein they provide a portion of the profits (approx. 15% to 25%). Electrical meters are also available for accurate consumption data.
Ashish shares that if the infrastructure is readily available then, within three months, a charging station can be easily established. The cost of setting up a charging station ranges from a million to 4 million rupees.
“There have even been instances where we managed to set up the station within just 30 days. The timeline for installation largely hinges on the condition and readiness of electrical infrastructure,” he says.
The company generates revenue based on charging services, with fleet partners being charged on a monthly basis. Last year, their revenue grew by nearly 50%.
EarthtronEV offers a diverse range of charging products tailored to various needs. Among their lineup are the 3.3 Smart Socket and the Bharat AC 001, which integrates three sockets for a 3.3-kilowatt solution—suitable for basic and efficient charging. For quicker charging requirements, they provide GBT chargers in 15- and 30-kilowatt capacities, while their CCS chargers, ranging from 25 to 120 kilowatts, are designed to accommodate vehicles like the Tata Nexon. Type-2 chargers, including their 7.2-kilowatt AC chargers, are widely favoured for fleet applications, whereas DC fast chargers excel in delivering rapid charging solutions for on-the-go users in public spaces.
While highlighting government schemes, Ashish suggests that EV charging should be exempt from GST, which is currently at 18%. He advocates a reduction to 5%, or even zero, to accelerate adoption, as 5% GST on charging services appears reasonable and practical. He believes the government has already taken some proactive steps on the policy front, but the primary support needed from the government at this stage is addressing challenges related to connections, which are the biggest hurdles for any EV company.
The company currently operates approximately 500 charging stations, covering cities and highways. EarthtronEV has recently launched operations in Kolkata, with one charging station in Howrah and another in progress. In Delhi, they strategically position charging stations throughout the city, ensuring a robust network. Now, they are looking at a slightly longer-term goal, aiming to have 10,000 chargers by 2027.
