No more charging apps, just scan and pay using WhatsApp
Why did we build WhatsApp based charging? and how you can enable it for your chargers too
1. The Genesis
It was a Monday evening sprint call where all Pulse Energy engineers were on. We were discussing how we can make it simpler for 500+ EV users to use Log9’s InstaCharge chargers. The drivers were being expected to download the InstaCharge app, but this was a friction point, very similar to asking EV users to download other 42+ EV charging apps in India. Since InstaCharge works across multiple CPO networks we wanted every EV driver to have the best experience possible - ZERO FRICTION.
That’s when Devang (Pulse Energy CTO) suggested “Why can’t they just use WhatsApp to start a charging session?”, Aadish (another Pulse Energy co-founder) echoed “Yes, simply scan the QR code and pay for the charging session via WhatsApp!”
After 2 months of that conversation, some help from our friends at WhatsApp@Meta, UPI engineers, here we are. We have enabled India’s first WhatsApp based EV charging and payment session completely over UPI
2. The best part about WhatsApp charging are the benefits that charging point operators get
The payment happens directly via UPI into the charging point operators bank account. There is no middle men, the CMS does not take your money and hold it.
This also offers a 0% transaction fee model for CPOs. CPOs get to retain 100% of the margin they generate. We do not take any extra commissions or transaction fee
Be part of Log9 Mobility’s InstaCharge network where you get a fixed set of utilization from fleet operators that leverage the InstaCharge network today.
3. How does it work?
Any user can walk up to a Log9 InstaCharge charger or a Pulse Energy partnered charger and scan it’s QR code using their phone camera. This will send them to a whatsapp bot if the user does not have the InstaCharge app installed. Once inside WhatsApp, users can enter the amount they wish to charge and pay via UPI to start charging. Once the charging session is started, the bot will prompt you to install the app to track your charging.
4. What is InstaCharge?
InstaCharge is Log9’s own EV charger network where multiple CPOs have come together to support Log9’s vehicles. Log9’s InstaCharge technology allows you to become a part of the extensive charging infrastructure to transform India’s EV mobility landscape. If you are a CPO that’s interested in being part of the InstaCharge network, please reach out to the Log9 team at https://www.log9materials.com/contact/
While you are here, feel free to download the latest InstaCharge app that shows you all the 550+ chargers from 7+ CPOs across India.
5. Interested in enabling WhatsApp based charging for your chargers?
Drop us an email at hello@pulseenergy.io. First 5 chargers you onboard our platform are free. For CPOs with large distribution of chargers, we are able to predict the exact utilization your chargers would get based on access we have to 42+ fleet operators. We help these fleet operators find the nearest chargers and consume it via Pulse Energy’s platform.