Q: India is the first country outside of Europe where you are operating. Why this entry?

Jha: The Indian market is different from the Nordic and European markets, and it is the first country outside Europe, where Fortum entered the electric vehicle charging space in 2017. We have integrated a couple of Indian chargers into our system and this enables us to deploy ‘Made in India’ chargers to our network. This will give our customers the freedom to choose the chargers, their availability, price and other benefits.

Fortum established its first charging station in New Delhi in 2017. Its services in India include owning charging infrastructure, operating other’s charging infrastructure network using Fortum’s own cloud-based charging system and selling Fortum’s proven off-the-shelf cloud system to other operators to manage charging infrastructure in the B2B segment. 

Q: How do you see and predict the EV market in India?

Jha:  India will benefit from the global growth of EV technologies and can reach a maturity stage faster than in other countries. As Tesla did for the US market, start-ups in India are poised to promote the adoption of EVs. Free from any legacy baggage, they are able to offer pure electric vehicles as is evident on the road, particularly in the two and three-wheeler sector. Traditional OEMs also are trying to hold on to their market share. Hyundai has taken the lead by introducing Kona. The electric version of Maruti cars can be seen on the road though in test mode. More than ten models of electric vehicles are slated for launch in the next 12-18 months. Tata Motors has announced plans to introduce more models of the electric variant. Mahindra promises to launch KUV 100 and SUV 300 with the electric powertrain. With India poised to become the third-largest auto market in the world, none of the players would like to miss this great opportunity.

With more and more renewable energy being fed into the grid, the use of EVs will provide the flexible load to balance the system. 

Q: What are the fundamental differences between India and Europe in terms of vehicle requirements and charging infrastructure?

Jha: India and Europe share a common requirement in the automobile space. India generally follows the European automotive emission norms as Euro 6. Europe started the EV journey with high voltage system cars like Nissan Leaf, which warrants a different set of chargers to offer good customer experience. Starting from 50kW DC chargers, Europe has moved to high power charging capacity of 350kW in DC mode which brings down the charging time to about 10 minutes for a 150-200km range. On the AC side in public charging, it has a network of 22kW chargers which offer semi-fast charging to most of the vehicles. The 3.3 kW AC chargers are generally deployed at home and parking places.

India, on the other hand, has a different vehicle composition. Most of its EVs are two and three-wheelers which have a different kind of charging need. They are currently dominated by lead-acid batteries. In the four-wheeler passenger car segment also, India started with a unique product. The available cars are on low voltage battery system, which requires a different set of chargers – 15/20 kW power in DC mode. They need longer charging time than their counterparts in Europe where a car with almost double the size of battery can get charged in nearly half the charging time than in India. Now, a few OEMs have started selling high voltage system cars which would require 50kW charging infrastructure. 

Another significant difference between Europe and India is the need for public charging. Most of the European countries have single-family low-rise homes with garage whereas Indian cities like Delhi have mostly unorganised street parking. This fundamentally alters the need of charging infrastructure in India. While in Europe home charging would be dominating, India will need public charging as the dominant mode.

Q: Charging infrastructure and time is probably the biggest hindrance in the adaptation of EVs in India? How do you find opportunities in this area?

Jha: Three major interdependent stakeholders influence the evolvement of EVs in any country. They are: automobile manufacturers, battery manufacturers, and charging infrastructure providers. Given the limited use of e-vehicles in India now, the infrastructure for the same is also at a very nascent stage. The lack of sufficient infrastructure could be the most common reason for the range concern that directly affects the consumer behaviour and potential of EV sales in India. However, from the operators’ point of view, it is difficult to invest in charging infrastructure without an existing demand for charging services.

India will need ubiquitous public charging networks. India needs millions of charging points once all cars sales happen on the electric platform. This offers huge opportunity for both the private and the public sectors. However, considering the space constraint and inadequate electricity infrastructure, setting up such a massive network of public charging will be a demanding task. Government support will be required in making locations available for this purpose if we have to roll out a good network of charging stations. 

For EVs to be acceptable, consumers have to be assured of the availability of charging stations like fuel stations for ICE vehicles. A robust charging station network would give them confidence, and that would work as a pull effect on OEMs. 

Q: India is a vast country. How are you going to identify and target the regions or pockets where EV adaptation will be faster?

Jha: As it happens with any new technological product, initially EV will be adopted by innovators or early adopters. We expect that these vehicles will be adopted mostly in cities with the highest per capita income. We operate now in five cities: Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. We have 66 DC public charging points. Since the launch of our DC fast-charging stations in Hyderabad, we have seen positive adoption of electric vehicles by customers. We have more than 900 registered users, and more than 1500 customers have downloaded our mobile app. These are smart chargers which are unmanned and give freedom to the consumer to charge their vehicles at the location of their choice, and at their convenience.

Q: Do you think public utility places would play a more prominent role in increasing the number of EV charging stations? Could you highlight Fortum India’s partnership with Indian Oil?

Jha: We provide our bit in creating reliable and smart charging infrastructure. Our first DC fast public charging station in Hyderabad came up at IOC COCO retail outlet at Begumpet. We are operating 16 charging points at eight retail outlets of IOC in Hyderabad. We demonstrated our capability of operating smart chargers by unveiling the charging of Mahindra e2oplus remotely from Hotel ITC Kakatiya, Hyderabad, using Fortum Charge & Drive Mobile App.

Q: How many EV charging stations has Fortum India set up so far, and what is the immediate target?

Jha: Fortum has made 66 DC Fast charging points operational in Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. Fortum Charge & Drive also offers a cloud solution to EV charging service providers and infrastructure investors.

Recently, we have established India’s first public charging network of 50 kW DC chargers at dealership locations of MG Motors. Any car owner can access these stations if the car is compatible with CCS/CHAdeMO standards. We are continuously evaluating opportunities across the country.

Q: How do you see the role of the stakeholders such as charging station infrastructure manufacturers, energy companies and operators in the growth of EV adoption?

Jha: Each stakeholder has a role to play in EV adoption in India. It is important to note that it is the vehicle and its battery system which determines the charging infrastructure need, not otherwise. The charging standards or capacity of chargers or time of charging, and everything is dependent on the design of the battery and its management system adopted by the OEMs. Charging manufacturers and operators follow the demand. In charging ecosystem, manufacturer caters to the supply side by offering his product which can be put to use by charge point operators at strategic locations. Energy distribution companies also have a critical role to play. EV charging, particularly public charging in DC mode, requires high capacity which might need augmentation of electricity infrastructure. Energy to Charge Point Operators (CPOs) should be provided at a reasonable price so that end-consumers can charge their vehicles at affordable prices. Efforts of all these stakeholders have to get aligned.

Q: What have been the ground-level challenges for Fortum India?

Jha: Access to a suitable location and electricity supply is a major challenge. The number of EVs initially will be less, so also the business for the Charge Point Operators. It will be more challenging if CPOs have to pay rent for the space or bear any upfront cost on electricity infrastructure. So it is expected that these two parts would be taken care of by the government or partners to make EVs affordable for the customers.

Q: Being in the EV charging station space, what do you expect from the government?

Jha: For the manufacture of EVs and the growth of the industry, the government introduced the FAME scheme. It would also support the manufacturing of advanced batteries which will accelerate the adoption of EVs by bringing down the cost of the battery. Tax reduction is a significant boost for the consumer as it would push the EV price to inch towards ICE vehicle price. 

Creating a robust and smart charging network should be the focus. Although through FAME-II the government has called for proposals on the setting up of 1000 electric vehicle charging stations in the country, this is not enough. Consumers would like to have charging points at their preferred locations, time, and price to avoid range anxiety. This requires a robust, ubiquitous, and friendly charging network of stations. As charging takes more time than gasoline refuelling, the consumer would like to find a charging station in an exciting place where he would feel happy to spend time while the vehicle gets charged.

We have to add lakhs of charging points year after year if in future all vehicles sold are electric. This would require access to space, which is scarce, particularly in urban areas. Augmented electricity infrastructure would be needed at the local network level even though at the national level this will not be significant. So if the government finds some ways to offer space and upgrades electricity connections on the plug-and-play mode to CPOs it will give a boost to the creation of charging infrastructure. 

EV charging would be a different proposition. Unlike oil and CNG, this has interdependency of battery and electricity. Appropriate communication is needed between battery and charger, and charge and grid, to ensure safety and reliability to the vehicle and grid. This necessitates that charging infrastructure must be smart. This would also warrant a smart grid. What is needed is a greater and urgent push towards upgradation and strengthening of both electricity and charging infrastructure. (MT)

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

AEye, a provider of LiDAR solutions and manufacturer of the Apollo LiDAR sensor, has announced plans to demonstrate its Apollo sensing solution at CES 2026.

The company will present the Apollo LiDAR sensor, a solution for detecting objects at distances of up to one kilometre. The sensor features a form factor that allows for integration behind windscreens. AEye also plans to highlight how the Apollo and OPTIS solutions can be used for infrastructure and logistics. OPTIS uses computing to deliver 3D perception and analytics for drones, intersections, shipping corridors and logistics hubs.

These technologies are designed to assist with safety, efficiency and visibility. The company’s focus on infrastructure and logistics reflects a strategy for global growth, including in regions such as India, where investment in smart cities and transport networks is increasing.

Matt Fisch, CEO, AEye, said, “CES brings together the most important players in transportation and mobility, making it an ideal venue for us to demonstrate how Apollo and OPTIS are redefining what’s possible with LiDAR. With unmatched range and real-time AI-driven perception, we’re helping our customers tackle complex transportation and infrastructure challenges with scalable solutions built for real-world deployment. We are also looking forward to announcing our next-generation LiDAR, with range capabilities extending beyond one kilometre, underscoring the company’s continued leadership in long-range and ultra-long-range perception.”

The presentation will also include a preview of a LiDAR sensor with detection capabilities exceeding one kilometre, intended for long-range perception requirements.

Image for representational purpose only.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has confirmed its plans to enter the auto insurance services space by incorporating a wholly-owned subsidiary that will operate as a Corporate Agent.

The move is part of the EV maker’s plans to owmake nership experience more seamless, by providing auto insurance policies, in partnership with multiple insurers. This will also provide a recurring revenue stream by leveraging its existing user base.

Ather Energy also aims to innovative around EV-specific insurance products, simplify renewals and also improve attach rates over time.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “We have always believed that a good ownership experience goes beyond the vehicle itself. Insurance is a critical part of that journey today, and it’s an area where the experience can be made significantly simpler and more predictable for customers. By bringing insurance distribution closer to the Ather ecosystem, we can make it simpler, more transparent, and better aligned with how our customers actually use their vehicles. Over time, this also gives us the ability to work with partners to design auto insurance products that reflect real EV usage, rather than adapting legacy frameworks. This is a measured but deliberate step, focused on strengthening the ownership experience while building a capability that complements our core offering and scales with the business.”

The EV maker stated that this move is a natural extension, as it can utilise its large customer base, which equates to no additional customer acquisition cost.

Ather Energy stated that entering the auto insurance space is part of its larger EV ecosystem building mission, which goes beyond just selling products, charging infrastructure, servicing and accessories among others.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Exicom Tele-Systems has introduced Exicom One, a solution for the construction and operation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The service handles site surveys, electrical setup, software, operations and maintenance.

The launch coincides with the expansion of charging networks by Charge Point Operators (CPOs) in India. These organisations plan to deploy chargers, including DC units, by 2030.

The solution provides a framework for infrastructure deployment by combining hardware and software. The company is providing end-to-end support right from site assessment & planning for pre-installation, to civil works, electrical integration and hardware setup for deployment. It also provides AI-driven management, diagnostics and maintenance to support the EV charging operations.

Exicom One manages the orchestration of firmware and software. The platform allows businesses to monitor and optimise stations in real time.

The company recently partnered with an EV manufacturer to install charging stations along highway corridors and at traffic points. The infrastructure is designed to integrate renewable energy systems and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) applications.

The service also utilises Harmony Connect, an AI platform for predictive maintenance.

Anant Nahata, Managing Director and CEO, Exicom, said, “India’s EV story will only move as fast as the infrastructure behind it. While hardware innovation gets most of the attention, it is execution on the ground that truly defines success. Exicom One is built to remove that friction by bringing every piece of the puzzle together under one accountable partner. It is a smarter, faster way for CPOs and fleets to scale with confidence and focus on what really matters: delivering reliable charging experiences.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German tier 1 supplier ZF is presenting a new ‘Active Noise Reduction’ software function for vehicle chassis at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026. The purely software-based function reduces in-vehicle tyre noise transmitted through chassis components without requiring additional hardware. The company plans to expand the use of the function to other ZF chassis actuators in the future.

The solution uses ZF’s Smart Chassis Sensor with an integrated acceleration sensor to measure vibrations from the tyres. A developed algorithm recognises the characteristic noise patterns of tyre cavity noise around 200 hertz.

The software generates a counter-signal via ZF’s cubiX software through the valves of semi-active dampers (CDC). The function uses micro-movements of the damper to specifically reduce noise interference without impairing the damper function.

The technology achieves noise reductions of more than 3 dB, with future potential for up to 10 dB. This software-based noise reduction is achieved without additional installation costs or space requirements. Active Noise Reduction can be adapted to different vehicle types via software, opening a market for lower-priced vehicles.

Dr. Peter Holdmann, Member of the ZF Board of Management and Head of Division Chassis Solutions, said, “Active Noise Reduction is an excellent example of how we use smart algorithms to make ZF components even more efficient. This gives our semi-active CDC dampers a clear unique selling point in the market and sets new standards in comfort – without the need for any additional noise dampening hardware.”

Series production is scheduled to start in 2028. In the future, the function may be used in other ZF actuators, such as for active reduction of brake squeal.

Holdmann added, “Thanks to our system expertise, we are able to offer our mechatronic actuators as true innovation drivers with the help of smart algorithms and we will extend our software-based control approach to other ZF actuators in the future. The goal for us is clear: mechatronic actuators that are capable of efficiently reducing both their own and external noise with the help of software.”

The new function fits into ZF’s Chassis 2.0 product strategy, which uses intelligent and networkable actuators to enable new chassis functions via software.

Holdmann noted: “With our Chassis 2.0, we are laying the foundation for the software-defined vehicle.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!