ThunderPlus, a Telangana-based EV charging company, and Trinity Cleantech have jointly unveiled the ME Energy Rapid Charger 150 - described as the world's first ethanol-based, mobile 150 kW DC fast charger-cum-generator.

According to the official press release, the product represents a step towards establishing a grid-independent, biofuel-driven EV charging ecosystem in India.

The release stated that, unlike traditional chargers that rely on heavy infrastructure, distribution company approvals, and high-capacity grid connections, the ethanol-powered Rapid Charger 150 can be deployed at any location and made fully operational within 72 hours.

The statement noted that the system, fuelled entirely by ethanol - a renewable biofuel derived from plant produce - reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% compared with diesel, while lowering setup and operational costs by more than 50%.

The ethanol-based charging unit can be deployed for a range of applications, including grid-independent highway charging, remote depots, mobile backup for electric buses, roadside assistance for EVs, and green power supply for construction and mining sites.

The launch is aligned with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari's advocacy for ethanol-based mobility to reduce diesel consumption and emissions. The event was attended by industry stakeholders, including Chandramouli Vemula from SIDBI, who acknowledged the innovation's alignment with India's green-finance and sustainable mobility objectives.

ThunderPlus currently operates more than 1,000 chargers across 16 states and 60 cities, serving OEMs such as Tata Motors, Olectra, Mahindra, and Ather.