Electric mobility is a viable method for reducing carbon emissions in the transportation industry. As a result, the EV industry’s firms and stakeholders are working hard to make the transition more sustainable, painless, and cost-effective.
The country’s transition to electric vehicles has already begun, with many charging stations placed in public areas (parking lots, gas stations, and shopping malls), but the job remains daunting since it will also require active engagement from the power industry.
A BITS Pilani graduate has developed a novel method for charging electric vehicles, recognizing the importance of the synergy between the auto and electricity industries. Hopcharge’s founder, Arjun Singh, claims to be able to supply EV owners with on-demand door-to-door charging.
Hopcharge is a “power bank” with a high-power charger, according to Singh, who has worldwide expertise in the energy business with some of the world’s most known firms such as Schlumberger. “The purpose of this combination in a vehicle is to provide mobility. It’s there whenever you need it.
Rather than travelling to a public charging station, Hopcharge brings the charging station to you. “By doing so, Hopcharge complements the permanent infrastructure and provides more alternatives for charging EVs, resulting in convenience,” he added.
Singh also addressed the problem of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and EV charging, saying, “Currently, RWAs cannot provide EV owners limitless connectivity because when an RWA is formed, a structure is constructed, and a transformer is installed.” If there are 700 persons in a society, and the load per home is 7 kW/house, the load is put in the transformer appropriately.
If something new emerges (in this example, EVs), the RWAs will be required to change/upgrade the transformers, and substations and other facilities will be required to update as well.”
All of these modifications, he added, were conceivable, but the implementation process would take time. Hopcharge is yet to start and will first focus on the four-wheeler sector, which includes all luxury vehicles such as Tesla, MG ZS EV, and Tata Nexon, among others, according to Singh.
Road Ahead For Hopcharge
According to Singh, the firm is presently focusing on developing Hopcharge as a concept and providing convenience to end-users in the nation. Later on, it may spread to other countries, such as the United States, rising markets like Taiwan and Japan, and even certain European cities.
Hopcharge currently has a presence in Japan. “It’s a really strategic reason to be there,” Singh explained, “since one of the oldest and fastest-charging technologies comes from Japan.” According to Singh, Hopcharge is a member of CHAdeMO.
When Mint spoke with Sohinder Singh Gill, Director-General of the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), about the Hopcharge mobility idea, he claimed the firm would be able to provide only emergency service, similar to an ambulance. Hopcharge can be used, but only for research purposes, he noted.
According to Gill, the government should focus on three main factors to speed up the sale of electric vehicles in India: customer attitudes, EV prices, and charging infrastructure. He did emphasize, though, that automakers must continue to produce EVs without regard for charging difficulties.
Sale Of EVs In India
The Indian electric vehicle sector has grown steadily in recent years. According to SMEV data from the previous fiscal year (FY21), the electric vehicle sector registered 4,588 units, up from 3,000 units in FY20.
According to the SMEV, the country still lacks a solid bank funding system. Only a few banks are willing to lend on certain models. NBFC Shriram City Union Lending Ltd, for example, claims to have a 20 percent market share in 2-wheeler finance.
Also, read: GoFuel has launched a mobile charging fix for EVs