Picture this: It’s 2016, and two visionaries, Rami Syvari from Finland and Awadhesh Kumar Jha from India, land in Delhi. The skyline is hazy with smog, a loud reminder of how vehicular emissions are choking the planet. While many might shrug it off as just another bad air day, these two saw an opportunity. They asked themselves a simple yet world-changing question: What if EV charging became as simple and widespread as refueling a car?
Fast forward to 2017, and their answer takes shape as GLIDA, formerly known as Fortum Charge & Drive India. The dream? Not just building charging stations but creating an ecosystem that powers clean mobility and reshapes India’s transportation landscape. Today, GLIDA has built over 730 stations across 30 cities, 16 states, and 16 highways, proving that even the smoggiest skies can give way to greener ones. 🌱✨
GLIDA 101: What’s the Name All About?
First off, let’s talk about the name. GLIDA isn’t just a fancy label, it embodies the company’s vision of giving EV users the “freedom to move without barriers.”
Their tagline, “All Lights Green,” paints a picture of seamless, eco-friendly travel.
With both AC and DC fast-charging solutions, GLIDA promises its customers a hassle-free experience tailored to their needs. Simply put: whether you’re zipping through city streets or cruising down highways, they’ve got your back. 💚
The Spark That Ignited the Change
Every big story has its “aha!” moment, and GLIDA’s starts with that smog-filled trip to Delhi. For Awadhesh Kumar Jha, now the Executive Director, the trip wasn’t just eye-opening, it was life-changing. He saw the glaring need for cleaner transportation options, especially in a country where fossil fuel vehicles dominate the roads. Alongside Rami Syvari, they envisioned GLIDA not just as a business but as a movement toward sustainable mobility. 💡
The early days weren’t about rapid expansion; they were about building a solid foundation. Starting with one charging point, GLIDA grew steadily, driven by a simple idea: Powering cleaner mobility one charge at a time. ⚡
From One Station to 730+
Scaling is hard. Scaling sustainably? Even harder. But GLIDA didn’t shy away from the challenge. Since its launch in 2017, the company has expanded from a single charging station to a robust network spanning:
- 30 Cities: Urban hubs like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi now boast convenient charging spots.
- 16 Highways: Helping EV drivers conquer long-distance travel without range anxiety. 🚗✨
- 16 States: A true national footprint.
With over 45,000 registered EV users, GLIDA isn’t just keeping vehicles powered, it’s driving India’s e-mobility revolution. 🚀
The Vision: Charging Made Effortless
GLIDA dreams big. Their ultimate goal? To ensure that charging an EV is as seamless as filling a fuel tank. Imagine pulling into a charging station, connecting your car, and getting back on the road, all without delays or headaches. And here’s the cherry on top: GLIDA wants to make charging affordable, promising prices similar to home charging rates. 👏
Their vision also includes safety, reliability, and scalability, making EV adoption feasible for individuals, businesses, and fleets alike. Whether you’re a passenger car user or a logistics company managing delivery vans, GLIDA wants to be your charging partner of choice.
Fortum’s Role in GLIDA’s DNA
Before we dive deeper into GLIDA, let’s talk about its roots in Fortum, one of Europe’s cleanest energy producers. Known for solar, wind, and biofuel innovations, Fortum has prioritized low-carbon solutions for decades. Here’s what sets them apart:
- 98% CO2Free Energy Production: When they say clean, they mean it. 💨❌
- 27,000 MW Expertise: From hydropower to solar, Fortum knows energy inside out. 🔋
- Sustainability Leadership: Netzero targets aren’t just buzzwords, they’re actively reshaping Fortum’s operations in India.
It’s no surprise that GLIDA, born from Fortum’s Charge & Drive business, is rooted in these values. When sustainability is baked into your DNA, every project you touch becomes an impact-driven game-changer. 🌍✨
How GLIDA Keeps the Wheels Turning
What’s behind GLIDA’s success? A mix of deep expertise, ambitious goals, and clever solutions:
- Diverse Charging Options: Whether you need regular AC charging or blazing-fast DC charging, GLIDA offers both to meet varying needs. ⚡
- Customer-Centric Approach: From user-friendly mobile apps to top-notch customer support, they prioritize experience as much as sustainability. 🌟
- Robust Ecosystem: Building more than just stations, they’re creating an integrated EV network that works for cities, highways, and beyond. 🚀
Their tagline, “Drive into the Future with GLIDA,” isn’t just marketing, it’s the essence of everything they do.
Challenges on the Road to Success
Like any pioneering company, GLIDA has faced its share of roadblocks:
- Infrastructure Hurdles: Scaling in a country with limited EV infrastructure wasn’t easy. From land acquisition to government permits, every station was a labor of love. 🛠️
- Adoption Barriers: Convincing traditional car users to switch to EVs required massive awareness campaigns.
- Operational Complexity: Managing such a widespread network meant tackling logistical challenges head-on.
But through perseverance and smart strategies, GLIDA overcame these obstacles, proving that sustainability is worth the effort. 💪
Looking Ahead: GLIDA’s Ambitions
GLIDA isn’t stopping here. Their roadmap includes:
- Mass EV Adoption: Making charging stations so widespread that switching to EVs becomes a no-brainer. 🚗⚡
- Affordable Rates: Delivering homelike charging prices at their stations.
- Green Innovation: Scaling solar-powered charging hubs to further reduce emissions. 🌞
Final Thoughts: Charging Into the Future
GLIDA’s journey is a story of vision, resilience, and impact. From a smoggy day in Delhi to building a 730-station network, the company has proven that clean mobility isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable. With its focus on sustainability, innovation, and customer experience, GLIDA is shaping not just how we move but how we live.
So, next time you see their tagline “All Lights Green,” remember: it’s not just about traffic signals, it’s about moving toward a brighter, greener tomorrow. 🌍✨
