Energizing India Podcast

The automotive industry is going through a revolution. India has already established aggressive emission reduction objectives, and the vehicle sector is one critical area where emissions can be dramatically reduced. As EV adoption increases, the attention is shifting to building the infrastructure, such as charging as well as battery swapping stations. It’s clear after the recent budget that the g...

In this episode, we go back to the OEM sector and speak to none other than Uday NARANG , Founder & CEO of Omega Seiki Mobility. Uday is nurturing this company to become the Tesla of the east for cargo EVs. Driven by data and analytics and a relentless focus on quality, Omega Seiki Mobility has become synonymous with India’s sustainability solutions for last-mile delivery. Uday is having a wonderfu...

In this episode, we go back to the charging infrastructure sector and speak to a unique new startup charge point operator co-founded by a team of people who bring a myriad of experiences from the consulting, advertising, manufacturing, and even the film industry. The one thing that this team has in common is a passion for clean mobility and cleaner air in our cities.  Their operating model for cha...

During the last 18 months on this program, we have covered conversations with the entire EV ecosystem in India including regulators, grid operators, vehicle manufacturers, battery manufacturers and charge point operators. What has become very evident is that the various elements of the EV ecosystem dance to their own tune and are not yet at the point of working in cohesion. For example, the reason...

For years, the idea of electric vehicles ruling our highways seemed like a far-fetched dream. However, electric vehicles are now in high demand worldwide, and their popularity is only expected to grow in the coming years. Electric vehicles have seen rapid adoption as a result of Li-ion battery price reductions and improved performance. Despite the fact that electric vehicles are becoming increasin...

Unlike ICE vehicles, where the ecosystem was built over the last 100 years, the Electric Vehicle sector is still waiting for all parts of the ecosystem to talk to each other. Until that happens EV drivers and fleet owners will not have a seamless mobility experience. We often hear of the concept of range anxiety, in order to address this we don't just need more chargers or charging stations on the...

During the recent annual budget presented by the finance minister in February 2022, she made firm policy announcements on battery swapping infrastructure and it's evident that policy objectives are clearly towards massive swift to clean mobility by 2030. We already have determined that the present buying cycle for ICE vehicles is likely the last one where EVs marks the logical procurement choice a...

Around the world, the sustainable energy revolution is rapidly gaining traction and zero-emission mobility is now a stated target for many economies as well as vehicle manufacturers. In India, the Electric Vehicle sector is still in a nascent stage but going at an astonishing pace. This is facilitated by the union and state governments implementing forward-looking EV policies addressing regulation...

Post COP26 most major economies have set themselves aggressive targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with many releasing objectives to achieve zero-emission mobility through battery-electric and hydrogen mobility within this decade.  Even the big oil companies are jumping on to surf this new energy wave. Notice how French oil company Total subtly changed its name to Total Energies and how Rel...

Today our show meets someone very interesting as we feature a senior policymaker and regulator for the transport sector in one of India's most progressive states, Kerala. In this very engaging conversation, we cover how the great CORONA lockdowns impacted mobility and the economy of the state. We also discuss why Kerala has some of the most progressive EV implementation policies in India and how t...

Our program has now been running for twelve months now, and we have covered a host of subjects including battery chemistries, the potential for Giga-factories in India, charging standards, government policies, mobility technologies and the challenges for the ChargePoint operators. In this episode, we have a great conversation for you examining the electric mobility industry in India from a complet...

Today we attack the subject of conversion towards electric mobility in India from a different perspective. We have so far talked to original equipment manufacturers both Cars and 2-wheelers, ChargePoint operators, Electricity distribution companies. But today we focus on Research & Development and Government Policies. We speak with Mr. Sajid Mubashir, who is a Scientist G with the Department of Sc...

Today we focus on mass public transport, the electric bus sector and speak with Nishant Arya Vice Chairman & MD, JBM Auto Ltd., the flagship company of the $2.2B Indian conglomerate JBM Group that recently under his stewardship enter the electric vehicle sector and is finding significant success. Nishant studied at Bradford University and then the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom a...

In this episode, we discuss our world beyond the need to rely on Lithium. After the invention of the wheel, innovations in transportation barely evolved over 4,000 years. The arrival of the Internal Combustion Engine (or ICE technology) changed all of that during the late 1800s and it was the lead-acid battery that enabled the growth of the ICE mobility era, powering the electric starter and the o...

Range anxiety is one of the primary causes of dissonance in the minds of potential buyers of Electric Vehicles and it always ends up with the same chicken and egg story. Which comes first? Electric Vehicles or long distances charging infrastructures. Fast chargers are expensive and yet without the network, only the early adoptive adventure seekers will lean towards driving an Electric Vehicle. Cha...

In this episode, we cover one of the automotive world's romantic icons which in its new avatar is also working to rapidly contribute to a greener future for India. Founded in 1924, MG had a rich history in racing and set numerous land speed records, pioneering its way through a bleeding-edge performance.  After a roller coaster journey, today MG is cutting a path-breaking journey in India with the...

A few months ago we featured a conversation about the impact that Electric Rickshaws have had in Delhi & Gurgaon, that conversation was about what used to happened a few years ago with street-level handling of lead-acid batteries, the lack of safety of these 3 wheeled transit vehicles which were mostly imported from China and the impact on the grid from the power that was stolen to charge them.  ...

Today we speak to one of the crucial lynchpins of the entire EV movement in India. As an entrepreneur, he is widely recognized for his role in shaping the Indian Electric scooter industry and also for his contributions to various forums in the Electric Vehicles sector both in India and globally. He completed his Master’s in Business Administration from Huron University in London, and apprenticed w...

In today's episode, we talk to two interesting entrepreneurs, twin sisters Nikita & Nishita from Bhubaneshwar, who are working to create disruptions for the lithium-ion battery sector.  Listed on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for India, they have invented a battery with the same energy density as lithium-ion but is made from farm waste.  Their peptide crystal batteries have been charged 8 times fast...

In today's episode, we decided to change track and feature a conversation with interesting insights from the perspective of an EV end user.  Aakash drove his Tata Nexon 1500 km from Jaipur to Longewala and back and we go over the challenges and joys of an EV on long drives, including tow charging, issues with earthing for AC charging, and how ordinary drivers may be able to do long drives Atma Nir...

In today's episode, we change focus completely and move to the grid, the charging standards and the ability of the power network to be able to accommodate the growth that the government hopes to achieve in E-mobility within this decade, We really enjoyed recording this conversation for you which was with an imminently likeable and iconic personality driving change within the regulatory and policy...

Today's episode features one of the companies that has taken the largest risks in the EV space, and now through its acquisition of Reva has in fact also taken on the mantle of being the oldest player in the EV space in India is Mahindra.   Mahindra Electic has sold over 32,000 electric vehicles in India. Yes, you heard right, there are already over 32,000 electric vehicles on the road in India tod...

Today's episode features four experienced thought leaders from the E Mobility sector in India discussing what the industry will likely experience once the first lithium-ion Gigafactories arrive in the country.  Mahesh Godi, CEO Godi Energy, Vikram HANDA, MD Epsilon Carbon Pvt Ltd, Stefan LOUIS, CEO Nexcharge (the Exide/ Leclanche JV), and Dr. LN Satapahty, Additional General Manager, BHEL.   In th...

In today's episode of Energizing India Podcast, we feature India's most iconic brand. Sulajja FIRODIA Founder & CEO at Kinetic Green Energy is a pioneer of electric vehicles in India, staying true to her family heritage that pioneered the iconic LUNA in the 60s and India's first gearless scooter, the Kinetic Honda in the 80s. Sulajja is one of India's well-recognized women entrepreneurs presently...

In today's episode, we feature the one and only Tarun MEHTA Co-founder & CEO at Ather Energy   Innovations in India typically lean towards the E-commerce & service sectors with multiple start-ups springing up in these sectors over the past decade. However, there is one start-up that went against the trend and ventured into the more capital intensive sector of design & manufacturing, leading the pa...