Energetica India - June 2020

ELECTRIC VEHICLE ‘EV Battery: Advancing Solutions for Sustainable Future Transport’ The market for clean mobility already exists in India. The vast demand for low-cost mobility along with a strong con- sumer desire for non-polluting, environmentally friendly technologies needs an innovative approach for conversion to e-mobility at a large scale. In the move to cleaner and more sustainable modes of transport, a paradigm shift is needed in how the market is approached. ‘Disruptive innovation’ is the need of the moment to develop EV products that become catalysts for the wide adoption of electric vehicles as the future of urban mobility in India. For electric vehicles to succeed in the Indian market it will be extremely important for companies to adopt a mindset of ‘pro- viding composite solutions for urban mobility’ –rather than just ‘selling vehicles’ in current value networks. These composite solutions, coupled with the right battery technology, are what will make EVs a truly exciting value proposition to consumers and lead to the paradigm shift in consumer patterns envisioned for the developing Indian EV success story. Innovating to Meet Market Expectations:Becoming ‘Mobil- ity Solutions Providers’ The market for clean mobility already exists in India. The vast demand for low-cost mobility along with a strong consumer desire for non-polluting, environmentally friendly technologies needs an innovative approach for conversion to e-mobility at a large scale. Presently, the obstacle to higher adoption of EVs by consumers is the fact that most companies in the market are entrenched in the existing ecosystem and see themselves as vehicle manufacturers and sellers. Hence, their product offerings consist of not much more than traditional vehicles in a modified form. The need of the hour is for a pioneering approach that sees the advent of mobility solutions providers. For example – it is known that three out of four rides in urban shared mobility are taken by a single passenger. A mobility solutions provider would see this as an opportunity to develop a smaller, cheaper vehicle, perhaps a two-seater, to cater to the market that operates such fleets. Established automobile manu - facturers may not see immediate value in such a proposition, but this is where there is vast scope for start-ups looking to break into the market with a niche offering that starts out ahead of the curve. It would be a mistake to see such a product offering as having few takers, because it is the problem-solving level of thinking from which such a product is conceived that has the potential to radically alter consumer patterns. This is the level of thinking that needs to be adopted by Indian start-ups and automobile manufacturers. In envisioning future trends, it is my strong conviction that the- leading lightin the Indian EV story looks set to be the ‘humble’ three-wheeler for last mile connectivity of passengers and last mile delivery in cargo operations. What we will also see here is the advent of three-wheelers in various avatars, custom-en- gineered for different load carrying capacities and varying speeds. This will not only serve a large existing demand, but give birth to new segments where demand exists in a latentform, or is currently being serviced by inefficient means. Most large companies are focusing on a cheaper vehicle to sell, rather than developing new products that meet latent demand. It is here in this space that the future of e-mobility in India will be decided, and establishment names in automobile manufacturing that do not adapt will cede way for smaller, newer and more inventive players with vision. No Compromises on Battery Technology – The Soul of the EV It cannot be stressed strongly enough, that where it comes to the electric vehicle, the battery is topmost in importance. Akshay Kashyap Founder and Managing Director, Greenfuel Energy Solutions energetica INDIA- June_2020 39