Hyundai ties up with Charge Zone to expand charging network in India

Hyundai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Charge Zone to expand its EV charging network in India. According to the agreement, the charge point operator will install DC fast chargers at 100 Hyundai dealerships across the country.

The DC fast chargers that Charge Zone will install provide up to 60 kW and are open to all brands. However, users will require the ‘myHyundai’ or ‘Charge Zone: EV Charging India’ smartphone app, both available on the App Store and Google Play.

At present, Hyundaisays it only has 34 EV fast-charging stations in India, with a peak output of up to 180 kW. The company has 60 kW DC public chargers at 19 dealerships and operates 15 more fast charging stations across key cities and along highways in nine states.

“As India aims for greater adoption of electric mobility, it is equally important to bolster the EV charging infrastructure to counter range-anxiety and build customer preference towards adoption of electric mobility,” says Jae Wan Ryu, Function Head – Corporate Planning, Hyundai (India).

“Over the past five years, Charge Zone has developed a renewable energy-powered EV charging network for electric cars and electric buses in India,” adds Kartikey Hariyani, Founder & CEO, Charge Zone. “Our collaboration with Hyundai Motor India Limited aims to enhance infrastructure for 4-Wheeler Electric Vehicles (BEVs), ensuring easy access and dynamic availability, providing a reliable and seamless charging experience.”

The South Korean automaker isn’t a big name in the EV category in India, so it didn’t need a widespread EV charging network. So far, Hyundai has only launched two electric cars in India – the Kona Electric and the Ioniq 5, both imported and too expensive for the average Indian. The company used to showcase the Kona Electric at select dealerships, and it follows the same strategy for the Ioniq 5.

Hyundai plans to launch the Creta EV as its first locally manufactured, high-volume electric car in India in January 2025. The company will likely display it at many more showrooms than the Kona Electric and Ioniq 5, in all major cities. Plus, with considerably higher anticipated customer demand, it is logical to ramp up the EV charging network well ahead of the launch. A year later, Hyundai will introduce an even more affordable model, a micro-SUV codenamed HE1i.

This isn’t the first time Hyundai has collaborated with Charge Zone. In 2023, the company gave the CPO provider a contract to install 10 fast charging stations, each with one 150 kW DC charger and one 60 kW DC charger.

hyundai.com