India built the world's first combined AC + DC charging standard for electric 2- & 3-wheelers.

Electric two-wheelers could easily have ended up with a different charging connector for every brand. That would mean duplicated infrastructure, more chargers and a confusing experience for riders.

Ather Energy had already developed its own compact connector for its scooters and fast-charging network. In 2021, the company opened the connector technology to other manufacturers, pushing for a common ecosystem instead of a proprietary island.

The result became the Light Electric Combined Charging System, or LECCS. It is designed for light electric vehicles and supports normal AC charging and fast DC charging through the same connector — a combination tailored to the packaging and charging needs of electric two- and three-wheelers.

Ather says the standard grew through collaboration with other OEMs and public institutions including the Bureau of Indian Standards, NITI Aayog and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

BIS published the connector requirements under IS 17017 (Part 2/Sec 7): 2023, covering AC, DC and combined AC/DC vehicle couplers for compact EV charging interfaces.

The bigger achievement is interoperability: a common connector can let compatible vehicles and chargers work across manufacturers. Ather describes LECCS as the world's first combined AC/DC charging standard tailored specifically for electric two- and three-wheelers — Indian engineering aimed not just at a better vehicle, but a better ecosystem.