charging point operator for the electric vehicle named Fortum Charge & Drive India, unveiled the brand’s new identity. Now, it is known as Glid. The company also changed its logo, and introduced a new one, featuring a flying green leaf that seems taking off into the sky. The logo symbolizes smooth, fast yet affordable EV charging facilities for EV customers. Reacting about the new journey to push EV culture in India, Sanjay Agarwal, President, of Fortum India, said, “Our vision at Fortum has always been to build a carbon-neutral planet, where sustainable energy and environmental consciousness go hand in hand. We are confident that with GLIDA, we are able to pique the adoption of electric vehicles in India, further reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing carbon emissions. Company’s Executive Director, Awadhesh Kumar Jha addressed the launch event of GLIDA. He said, “we are excited to unveil our new brand identity GLIDA, which demonstrates what we stand for – ‘freedom to move without any barriers or hesitation’. our purpose is to create a robust runway for the swift take-off of electric mobility into the mainstream.
Fortum India plans to invest Rs 100 crore into setting up these additional charging stations, and targets profitability once it hits 12.5 percent utilisation rate of a charging point, based on the time it remains occupied. With EVs presently forming a miniscule portion of the overall Indian passenger vehicle market, its current charging point utilisation stands at 4-5 percent. While 55 percent of its utilisation is contributed by fleet operators, the company says personal EV users form 45 percent of its overall charging business.
While a chunk of its existing EV chargers are 60kW DC fast-charging variety, along with a mix of AC chargers particularly installed in locations like hotels and shopping malls, the company has plans to install two kinds of modular DC chargers, one which could offer an output ranging from 25-200kW, and others which could switch between 60kW and 120kW output. The company will equip these modular chargers with robust back-end power support to allow for easier switching as per demand.
Fortum India is targeting major highway corridors in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab to install these modular chargers, with an intent to be future ready in terms of network, as well as technology to cater to the upcoming range of cars with fast-charging capabilities.
