Ep# 14 | WTF is Happening with EV? Nikhil ft. Founders of Reva, Ather, Blusmart, and Ossus
Dec 10, 2023
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Chetan Maini, industry pioneer in the world of electric vehicles, discusses the challenges and innovations in the EV industry. Topics covered include battery swapping, solar power plants, financing options for EV fleets, challenges in building charging infrastructure, understanding climate change, renewable energy capacity in India, green hydrogen production, cell manufacturing, lithium and cobalt distribution, and the components and performance factors of electric scooters.
Building an EV company involves adhering to high manufacturing standards, sourcing resources, developing charging infrastructure, and addressing range anxiety.
Battery swapping technology offers a cost-effective and convenient solution for micro-mobility vehicles.
Battery swapping faces challenges when applied to four-wheelers, particularly personal cars.
Entrepreneurs can capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicles by focusing on battery swapping infrastructure.
Proper thermal management and battery cycling are crucial for the longevity and performance of electric vehicle batteries.
Deep dives
Producing green hydrogen from wastewater
The company's technology involves using microorganisms to generate electricity from wastewater and producing green hydrogen. The microorganisms are used to create electrons on one electrode, which are then carried to another electrode where they combine with protons from water to produce hydrogen gas. The process also produces clean water as a byproduct. This technology is feasible for industries or sites that have wastewater and a need for green hydrogen.
Advantages of green hydrogen
Green hydrogen is created from renewable sources and offers several advantages. It can be used as a storage and transport medium for renewable energy, helping to address the intermittency of renewable sources like solar and wind power. It also provides a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based hydrogen, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution. Green hydrogen has applications in sectors such as transportation, industry, and energy storage, contributing to the transition to a more sustainable and decarbonized energy system.
Scaling and target market
The company, OSS, focuses on industries or facilities that have wastewater and a need for green hydrogen. Their technology can be implemented on-site, allowing for the production of green hydrogen and the reuse of clean water. As the demand for sustainable and decarbonized energy solutions grows, the market for OSS's technology is expanding. It provides an innovative and environmentally friendly solution for industries, helping them reduce their carbon footprint and transition to more sustainable energy practices.
Battery swapping as a solution for micro-mobility
Battery swapping technology offers a cost-effective and convenient solution for micro-mobility vehicles such as electric scooters and three-wheelers. By removing the battery from the cost of the vehicle, the upfront price becomes cheaper than internal combustion engine counterparts. Swapping batteries also addresses range anxiety and refueling time, as users can quickly exchange their depleted battery for a fully charged one at conveniently located stations. The subscription-based model allows users to pay for the energy they consume, making it a more affordable option than traditional fuels. The scalability of battery swapping infrastructure combined with the longer life span of batteries provides a promising solution for sustainable and efficient micro-mobility.
Battery swapping challenges for four-wheelers
While battery swapping has proven successful for micro-mobility vehicles, it faces challenges when applied to four-wheelers, particularly personal cars. Consumer preferences, such as comfort and convenience, favor slower-charging or home-charging options over manual battery swaps. Additionally, the weight and complexity of larger batteries can present safety and practicality concerns. However, as electric vehicle range improves and the cost of batteries declines, swapping may become a viable option for certain fleet applications. Ultimately, the success of battery swapping will depend on consumer demand, convenience, and overall cost-effectiveness.
Opportunities in battery swapping and energy solutions
The growing demand for electric vehicles and the need for reliable energy solutions present opportunities for entrepreneurs. By focusing on battery swapping infrastructure, entrepreneurs can target the existing market of e-rickshaws and create retrofit kits for lead-acid batteries. Engaging with franchises or setting up smaller stations can help expand battery swapping services in different areas. Additionally, there is potential for the production of locally manufactured battery cells to reduce costs and decrease dependence on imports. As the market evolves, opportunities will arise for micro-entrepreneurs and franchisees to contribute to the growth and adoption of battery swapping and sustainable energy solutions.
Battery swapping offers a profitable business opportunity
Setting up a battery swapping station for electric scooters can provide a minimum return of 18 to 22%, making it a financially viable investment. This technology allows users to quickly and conveniently swap their scooter's battery with a fully charged one, eliminating the need for charging infrastructure at home or worrying about battery range. With the increasing demand for electric scooters, such a business can be lucrative in the long term.
Thermal management and battery life differentiation among electric scooter companies
One of the significant factors that differentiate electric scooter companies is their approach to thermal management and battery life. Proper thermal management is crucial for maintaining the battery's health and prolonging its lifespan. Companies like Ather Energy focus on effective thermal management, allowing users to fast charge their scooters without restrictions. This technology helps prevent excessive heat buildup, extending battery life. Additionally, the ability to optimize battery packs and perform accurate welds during pack assembly also contributes to overall battery performance and longevity.
Opportunity in Battery Cycling
Battery cycling is identified as a massive opportunity in the electric vehicle industry. The high demand for EVs will create a need for proper battery disposal and recycling systems. This represents a low-hanging fruit for budding entrepreneurs to enter the market and build businesses around battery waste management.
Data and AI Integration in Energy and Mobility
The intersection of data, AI, and analytics in the energy and mobility sectors presents a significant opportunity for entrepreneurs. As the EV market grows, there will be a need for data-driven solutions that optimize charging infrastructure, improve efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. Startups focusing on this area can create innovative solutions and capitalize on the evolving electric vehicle ecosystem.
Building an EV company isn’t easy. For context, assembling battery packs requires companies to adhere to manufacturing standards even higher than 6 Sigma. But that's not all; it also involves sourcing resources like lithium and cobalt, developing charging infrastructure, addressing range anxiety, and much more.
In this episode, we delve into the world of electric vehicles with industry pioneer Chetan Maini from Sun Mobility, whose inspiration came from his university days racing an EV across Australia in the 1990s, leading to the inception of Reva. Now at Sun Mobility, Chetan is all in for battery swapping. Tarun Mehta of Ather has a 1000-member R&D team, the largest for two-wheelers in the world. Punit Goyal of BluSmart, who has an illustrious career in the renewable energy space, studied renewable energy in the UK to revolutionize ride-hailing with BluSmart, and Suruchi Rao of Ossus Biorenewables shares her insights on climate change and green hydrogen.
Join us as we navigate through these diverse perspectives and innovations shaping the future of electric vehicles.
WTF Fund Form - Edition #4
➡️Apply here: https://tally.so/r/mBp7LN
(00:00) Introduction
(00:30) Punit's Introduction into Renewable Energy space
(6:50) Inspiration behind Blusmart
(9:50) What is Blusmart?
(15:30) Economics behind Blusmart
(21:12) Opportunities in Solar Power Plants
(24:00) How is Blusmart structured?
(26:30) Who is Suruchi Rao?
(29:06) Experts explain what Climate Change is
(34:10) How Is Power Generated? Renewable Vs Non-renewable
(41:10) What if all vehicles become EV overnight?
(47:30) How Suruchi started a green hydrogen company
(59:30) Who uses cases for Hydrogen today?
(1:06:30) Opportunities in Hydrogen
(1:09:50) The man behind Reva
(1:15:30) Indian EV space in the 2000s
(1:18:10) How Sun Mobility was born
(1:21:30) Economics of battery swapping
(1:33:30) 3 reasons Why battery swapping is the future
(1:42:55) Blusmart’s view on battery swapping
(1:48:30) Pricing in Two-wheeler
(1:50:45) Opportunities in Battery swapping
(1:55:00) Vision behind Ather energy
(2:03:10) Ola Vs Ather : Which is better?
(2:04:10) All about Batteries that EVs use
(2:14:10) Nuances of Battery Pack Assembly
(2:20:00) Unique features EVs: Battery life, Regenerative braking and more
(2:26:30) Battery recycling the future?
(2:32:40) Ola vs Ather: Continued
(2:36:00) Is the PLI for EV broken?
(2:37:47) Break down of an Ather scooter
(2:40:42) How to Breakthrough in the EV space?
(2:49:00) Cost saving per vehicle EV vs ICE
(2:57:00) Is Carbon Tax the solution?
(3:01:10) Low Hanging fruits in the EV industry
(3:06:24) WTF Fund: 4th Edition is here!
#NikhilKamath Co-founder of Zerodha, True Beacon and Gruhas
Twitter https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio
#TarunMehta - CEO, Ather Energy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarunsmehta
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarunsmehta/
X : https://twitter.com/tarunsmehta
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/tarunsmehta
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AtherEnergyElectric
#ChetanMaini - Co-Founder, SUN Mobility
Founder of Reva Electric Car Company Ltd (now Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mainichetan/
X: https://twitter.com/MainiChetan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SUNMobility
#PunitKGoyal - Co-Founder, BluSmart
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/punitkgoyal/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/punitg/
X: https://twitter.com/BluSmartGoyal
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BLUSMARTINDIA
#SuruchiRao - Co-Founder, Ossus Biorenewables
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suruchi.rao/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suruchirao/
X:https://twitter.com/succirao
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suruchirao
#EV #Climatechange #automobile #charging #subsidy #scooter
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