Charging at Ather Grid

[hemanth.anand (Hemanth H A)]

@harsha.n

Yesterday, i was left with 10% charge, nearest point was go native Jayanagar. There another vehicle with 85% was put for charging. Waited there for more than an hour. Even after full charging of vehicle, owner don’t turn up.

@harishgv78

So I think Ather should come up with an update to release the lock to open the pin from charging point once the vehicle is 90% so that people who are in need can remove and charge their vehicles.

@punithklk79

I think it should be 80%

This topic has been discussed in length long back.

Releaseing the charger pin after 80% or 90% or anything less than 100% charge is not the right way in my opinion. Some people here are already using the Grid “only” and they may need full 100% charge for the next day. That person may be going on a long ride. You really can’t tell what is the other person’s need.

But of course, what you have mentioned is a real issue no doubt. The person in queue has to wait till the first person comes and removes the charger.

Some of the suggestions for this problem may be :

1. As an etiquette, the first person can leave his phone number so that the second person can call and check/request. But not everyone will want to display it publicly.
2. Have some button in the vehicle dashboard itself that can notify the first person on his smartphone app that someone is waiting and if possible remove the charger.
3. Release the locking pin of the charger automatically after 100%. it is unsafe as there may be chances of arcing (true for any percentage too).
4. Option for the first person, based on his need, to set a charge percentage after which the charging pin can be released automatically. negative of this is same as for the above point
5. A simple notification of the charge percentage once the vehicle is completely charged. This will be helpful not only in the Grid but even at home. At a grid the first guy may go and remove the charger as a good gesture and at home, we can switch off the power
6. Add more chargers in one single location. Best solution but there may be space constraints in that location

Till anything is decided we have to develop some etiquette and remove the charger ourselves if at all we are the first person charging and have the required amount of charge.