Ather Energy has partnered with ThunderPlus, a rapidly growing EV charging infrastructure provider. The partnership opens up over 140 fast-charging hubs across 40 cities in 15 Indian states to Ather’s electric two-wheeler customers, a big step towards reducing range anxiety and increasing nationwide electric vehicle (EV) adoption.
This is a change in strategy for Ather Energy—a vertically integrated EV manufacturer known for its proprietary Ather Grid charging network—towards a more open and interoperable infrastructure model. For ThunderPlus, it reinforces their position as a universal charging solution provider ready to serve the broader EV market beyond exclusive OEM agreements.
Range Confidence
Electric two-wheelers have made good progress in India, especially in urban areas. But one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption is range anxiety—the fear of being stranded without a charging option. By giving Ather riders access to ThunderPlus’s wide and high-powered charging stations, this partnership directly addresses one of the biggest consumer pain points.
ThunderPlus has 2,000+ charge points across its 140 hubs, with high-speed charging options from 30 kW to 240 kW. While Ather’s own chargers are designed for two-wheelers, access to ThunderPlus’s fast-charging infrastructure means extended trips and better route planning, especially outside metro areas where Ather’s proprietary charging grid is still expanding.
Collaboration Over Competition
“The EV revolution will be won by collaboration, not competition,” said Rajeev YSR, CEO of ThunderPlus. His comments reflect the growing recognition across the industry that infrastructure interoperability is key to scaling EV adoption. ThunderPlus’s inclusive approach also means welcoming more OEM partners to create a pan-India charging mesh that goes beyond brand boundaries.
Ather’s Chief Business Officer, Ravneet Singh Phokela, emphasized the importance of such partnerships, especially in emerging EV markets like Indore where the company has recently opened its second Experience Centre and has 68 Ather Grid chargers. “We are seeing huge demand in regions like Madhya Pradesh and partnerships like this allow us to scale faster while ensuring customer confidence in charging availability,” he said.
Ather Energy and ThunderPlus Deal – Market Impact
From a market perspective, this is a bet against the high capex required to build a national fast-charging network. For Ather Energy, who already has 3,578 fast and neighborhood chargers as of March 2025, this adds to their footprint overnight.
This will also trigger similar partnerships across the EV ecosystem as the Indian government ramps up decarbonization and electric mobility under FAME-II and National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
Investor Takeaway
For investors, this is a good sign for the EV infrastructure space in India. It’s a practical way to scale user access without duplicating infrastructure investments—a way to be more efficient and better user experience.
Thunderplus and Ather partnership will also impact valuations of adjacent sectors like battery technology, charging equipment suppliers and energy utilities involved in grid modernization. Companies like ThunderPlus which have an OEM agnostic business model will be key players as India moves to a cleaner mobility future.
Conclusion
By partnering with ThunderPlus, Ather has taken a big step towards EV ecosystem maturity. The announcement shows the need for strategic partnerships that prioritize accessibility, user confidence and shared infrastructure—a model that will be followed by others soon. As the electric mobility race heats up in India, one thing is clear: those who charge together, lead together.
For more details related to IPO GMP, SEBI IPO Approval, and Live Subscription stay tuned to IPO Central.