Mahindra Outlines Charge_IN 180 kW Ultra-Fast Charging Network Strategy: Building India’s EV Highway Backbone
Mahindra & Mahindra has unveiled its ambitious Charge_IN strategy, a nationwide ultra-fast EV charging network centered on 180 kW chargers to make long-distance electric travel as seamless as traditional driving. Announced on November 25, 2025, the plan targets 250 stations with over 1,000 charging points by the end of 2027, aligning with India’s push for robust public infrastructure. With the first two sites already operational, this initiative prioritizes highway corridors and compatibility across brands, promising to charge Mahindra’s new eSUVs from 20% to 80% in just 20 minutes.
Inaugural Stations: Kickoff on Key Highways
Mahindra wasted no time, launching the network’s debut sites on November 25:
- Hoskote on NH 75 (Bengaluru-Chennai highway): A high-traffic southern corridor ideal for intercity commuters.
- Murthal on NH 44 (near Delhi): Positioned about 50 km from the capital, catering to northern routes.
Each station features two 180 kW dual-gun chargers, enabling up to four EVs to charge simultaneously—two per unit. This setup ensures minimal wait times during peak hours, with stations co-located near restaurants and rest areas for added convenience.
Network Scale and Rollout: 1,000 Points by 2027
The Charge_IN blueprint calls for a staged expansion:
- Short-Term: 250 stations nationwide by 2027-end, delivering over 1,000 individual charging points.
- Focus Areas: Major national highways (e.g., NH 44, NH 75) and high-traffic urban fringes, spaced for predictable access—aiming for every 100-150 km on key routes.
- Uniform Tech: Every site sticks to 180 kW architecture for consistency, avoiding the patchwork of slower chargers plaguing current networks.
This rollout supports Mahindra’s EV growth, including the XEV 9e, BE 6, and upcoming XEV 9S, all boasting real-world ranges around 500 km. As Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO of Mahindra’s Automotive Division, noted, “With our ultrafast Charge_IN network, we aim to make long-distance EV travel as effortless as conventional driving.”
Charger Specs: Speed and Compatibility at the Core
At the heart of Charge_IN is the 180 kW dual-gun system, optimized for rapid top-ups:
- Charging Time: 20% to 80% in ~20 minutes for compatible EVs, slashing downtime on highways.
- Capacity: Dual guns per unit allow two vehicles at once; two units per site handle four total.
- Open Access: While integrated with Mahindra’s Me4U app (for locating, starting sessions, and payments), it’s brand-agnostic. Non-Mahindra owners can use the “Charge_IN by Mahindra” app or aggregator platforms like PlugShare.
This open approach fosters ecosystem-wide adoption, addressing a key barrier: range anxiety on India’s 1.5 million km road network.
Strategic Placement: Highways First, Amenities Integrated
Charge_IN’s positioning is deliberate to blend utility with lifestyle:
- Corridor Priority: Along NHs connecting metros like Delhi-Mumbai, Bengaluru-Chennai, and Mumbai-Pune for balanced north-south-east-west coverage.
- Co-Location: Stations will hug existing wayside facilities—cafés, fuel stops—to let drivers grab a coffee while charging, minimizing detours.
- Urban Extensions: Future phases may include city-edge hubs for fleet ops and daily commuters.
By focusing on “predictable stops,” Mahindra aims to mirror ICE refueling patterns, boosting confidence for road-trippers.
App Integration and User Experience: Seamless from Start to Finish
Accessing Charge_IN is straightforward:
- Mahindra Users: Via the Me4U app, which already maps 34,000+ public points and handles billing.
- All Users: Dedicated Charge_IN app for real-time availability, session initiation, and payments; partnerships with aggregators ensure broad reach.
- Features: Live status updates, route planning with charger predictions, and cross-brand support.
This digital layer, powered by Mahindra’s IoT tech, promises 99% uptime and over-the-air diagnostics for reliability.
Broader Impact: Aligning with India’s EV Push
Charge_IN dovetails with government mandates under the FAME-III scheme, targeting 10,000 public fast chargers by 2027. For Mahindra, it’s a bet on its Born Electric portfolio—aiming for 20% EV market share by 2027—while democratizing infrastructure. Anand Mahindra tweeted, “We’re leading the ‘charge’… Creating a high-speed EV charging backbone, one 180 kW charger at a time.” Challenges like grid upgrades loom, but early sites report smooth ops, hinting at scalable success.
Mahindra’s Charge_IN strategy isn’t just about plugs—it’s a blueprint for sustainable mobility, turning India’s highways into EV superhighways. By 2027, with 1,000 points live, long-haul electric journeys could become the norm, accelerating the shift from fossil fuels. As EV adoption hits 10% this fiscal, initiatives like this will be the real game-changers.
For full details, visit Mahindra’s Press Release. Track updates on X via Mahindra’s official account.