Interview: Manjula Girish
Business Head, EV Charging and PV Inverter Division at Delta Electronics India
Delta Electronics India’s Manjula Girish on Powering India’s First Second-Life Battery EV Hub
July 08, 2025. By Abha Rustagi
Que: Can you share your perspective on Delta's involvement in the RE2EV initiative?
Ans: Delta Electronics India supplied nine DC fast chargers (five 50 kW and four 30 kW units) to the RE2EV pilot, India’s first solar-powered EV charging hub using second-life batteries, located near Bengaluru Airport. This demonstrates Delta’s commitment to public–private collaboration and clean mobility infrastructure. The project was launched under a multi-stakeholder Sustainable Urban Mobility program with GIZ India, BESCOM contributing to green infrastructure that aligns with the government’s low-carbon transport goals.
Que: The RE2EV project integrates a 45 kWp rooftop solar system with a 100 kWh BESS. How does Delta ensure optimal interoperability between PV, storage, and EV charging systems?
Ans: Delta ensures seamless interoperability between the 45 kWp rooftop solar PV system, 100 kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), and EV charging units by leveraging its in-house power electronics and energy management platform. EMS enables real-time control and synchronisation, delivering optimised power flow among PV, storage, and grid supply. Chargers intelligently switch between solar, battery, and grid power based on demand and solar availability. This architecture ensures consistent 24/7 charging services and reduces stress on the grid, while maximising renewable utilisation—a key pillar of the microgrid approach.
Que: How is Delta leveraging second-life battery technology in EV infrastructure, and what is the long-term potential of this approach for India?
Ans: RE2EV’s use of second-life EV batteries—units no longer suitable for vehicles but still functional for energy storage—underscores a circular economy model. These refurbished batteries are incorporated into the 100 kWh BESS, reducing costs and extending their lifecycle. This not only diverts e-waste but also supports off-grid energy resilience in areas with variable power supply. For India, which anticipates 1–2 million EVs annually by 2030, scaling second-life batteries offers a sustainable, cost-effective pivot toward localised energy storage and EV infrastructure.
Que: What are the key factors that make the RE2EV model scalable and replicable in other metro cities or high-demand transit corridors across India?
Ans: Several factors make the RE2EV pilot scalable across metro areas and high-traffic corridors: The modular system design (PV + BESS + chargers) enables plug-and-play implementation in urban and peri-urban settings. The hub’s capability to charge 23 vehicles simultaneously, including both fast and slow charging points, makes it a robust model for airports and highway junctions. Furthermore, digital integration with BESCOM’s “EV Mitra” app and WhatsApp payment ensures seamless user experience. Finally, multilateral support from GIZ, BESCOM, and DULT under frameworks like SUM ACA adds governance and replicability to new markets.
Que: How does integration with platforms like BESCOM’s “EV Mitra” enhance operational efficiency and user trust?
Ans: Integration with BESCOM’s EV Mitra platform delivers real-time information on charger availability, location, and tariffs, significantly enhancing usability and trust. The digital interface—launched via QR codes and WhatsApp-enabled payments—simplifies end-user experience and reduces friction. This transparency builds credibility, cuts down on idle time, and enables operational insights for charging station providers. For public rollouts, aligning with trusted state utilities via platforms like EV Mitra ensures wider adoption and streamlines regulatory compliance.
Que: As EV adoption accelerates, what are the next big innovations or technological upgrades Delta is working on to future-proof India’s charging infrastructure?
Ans: As EV adoption accelerates, Delta is innovating several next-gen solutions to future proof charging infrastructure:
• AI-enabled load forecasting for smart dispatch and predictive maintenance.
• Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) capabilities, transforming EVs into mobile energy assets.
• Higher capacity BESS systems and digital twin microgrid modeling to ensure dynamic energy balancing and grid support.
• Integration of opportunistic renewables, smart tariffs, and ancillary services through enhanced energy management platforms like DeltaGrid.
Together, these developments aim to create resilient, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure supporting rapid EV penetration across India.
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.
