Fueling the EV Revolution

Charzer is an EV charging station aggregation platform with a network of charging stations. (Photograph courtesy Sameer Ranjan Jaiswal)

After immersing himself for five years in electric vehicle (EV) start-ups for Amazon e-commerce and delivery companies, Sameer Ranjan Jaiswal envisioned a transformative future for EV charging stations in India. Reflecting on a friend’s experience in 2019, who had to travel 18 kilometers and wait four hours to charge an EV scooter, he says, “I remember thinking, ‘What if EV chargers were readily available in workplaces, cafés and local kirana stores?’” says Jaiswal. Aiming to “accelerate the EV transition in India,” Jaiswal launched Charzer in Bengaluru.

An EV charging station aggregation platform, Charzer is building an EV ecosystem with a fleet of electric scooters and a network of charging stations. EV owners can access its services by downloading the mobile app, locating the nearest Charzer station, checking prices, reserving a slot and making payments—all within the app.

The start-up was part of the 13th cohort of the Nexus Startup Hub, a partnership between the U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the Alliance for Commercialization and Innovation Research (ACIR). Nexus connects start-ups, innovators and investors, offering access to networks, training, mentors and funding.

Growing strong

Working with equipment partners, Tata Motors and Volvo, Charzer has developed a range of commercial and residential charging stations tailored for installation in cities, towns, villages, apartment complexes and delivery companies.

Charzer’s flagship product, Kirana Charzer, is a compact and web-enabled charging station that can be installed at neighborhood cafeterias, restaurants and malls—essentially anywhere with an electricity connection, without the need for any infrastructural changes. It is compatible with all EV models and installed by certified professionals. Small business owners can install a charging station for Rs. 10,000 and share revenue with the company.

Since its launch in 2020, Charzer has established a robust EV charging station network, with over 50,000 users in 250 locations across 20 states. It powers over 1,000 electric cars every day and provides 500 kWh of electricity every month.

To expand its reach, Charzer has partnered with cab companies, and more than 20 fleet partners utilize Charzer’s unique integrated charging devices for tracking and monitoring data, according to Jaiswal. This gives fleet managers insight into both fast full charging and safe driving.

Business model

Charzer’s business model provides end-to-end EV charging management and ease of use for customers. This includes the installation of the charging station, bringing in electricity, and providing the software that monitors and tracks usage, access and payment collection.

In residential complexes, Charzer’s software allows users to track per resident or per apartment on a real-time basis and sets up electricity pricing for automatic billing, payment collection and report generation. Each charging station is rigorously tested for safety and reliability with protection against overvoltage, overcurrent, surge and short-circuits. The software access control regulates who is allowed to charge their vehicle to prevent unauthorized usage.

Maximizing energy efficiency

As Charzer grows, the company has seen an increase in energy consumption, rising from 500 units in 2020 to 500,000 units in 2024.

For apartments, offices and fleets, Charzer offers a unique load-balancing solution that results in charging more vehicles with limited electricity. This approach has allowed Charzer to maximize energy efficiency, resulting in a 75 percent reduction in load costs and monthly expenses. Additionally, users of the charging space can also load balance with lifts, motors and other existing load-bearing equipment.

Nexus training

Jaiswal attributes the first year-and-a-half of Charzer’s growth to Nexus. “It was transformational. We discussed week-by-week targets and learned how to narrow our focus on a small set of customers who came to view us as their first option,” he says. “As a result, we became strong in the market, and we were able to expand our base.” Jaiswal notes that Charzer continues to rely on Nexus to expand connections, seek advice during challenges and explore market opportunities.

Hillary Hoppock is a freelance writer, former newspaper publisher and reporter based in Orinda, California.

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