SemaConnect is the leading provider of electric vehicle amenities to the North American commercial, multifamily, and fleet market. The Startup was founded in 2008. Since its inception, SemaConnect has been one of the leading providers of electric vehicle amenities to the North American commercial and residential property market with over 12,000 EV charging stations installed.
Prashant Radhakrishnan, Vice President (Sales & Marketing), India, SemaConnect shared his views on the organization, segment, and the future ahead in an exclusive interview with IT-Voice:
Prateek: What is the vision behind SemaConnect?
Prashant Radhakrishnan: We believe it is an exciting time to be in the Indian Market. Indian consumers are getting their first taste of modern EV 4 wheelers & 2 wheelers. At the same time, the Indian industry is appreciating the advantages that EVs can provide them in terms of costs and in reducing the impact of pollution in our cities.
These are still early days for EV’s in India, but we believe that the adoption of EV’s will be rapid and require the setup of large-scale charging infrastructure in the country. We would like to leverage our experience and expertise in the industry, given our pedigree in an advanced market like the US and our design, technology, and manufacturing base in India to the state of the line products and services to the Indian market. We would like to be seen as one of the front runners in India over the next few years.
Prateek: What is the scope of Electric Vehicles in India? What are the challenges and opportunities?
Prashant Radhakrishnan: The Indian market is at a very early stage of penetration of EVs into the mainstream. The scope for EV’s in India is gigantic. It is a fact that the future of mobility will be electric. Given the rapidly growing middle class and incomes, we will see more and more Indian’s starting to own 2 and 4 wheelers. As the market for EV’s matures with better battery technology and a fall in prices…we will see rapid adoption of EV technology in India. This will be akin to the adoption of mobile phones and then smartphones in the Indian market.
Technology grows in leaps and bounds and that is a fact – we have all seen how from hardly anyone having mobile phones, we have seen one of the greatest levels of mobile penetration done in a short period of time. Something similar will happen in EV’s as well. These kinds of seismic shifts lead to large challenges as well as opportunities…it is up to individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to see challenges or opportunities in these changes.
Prateek: What role SemaConnect is ready to play in the EV Charging Ecosystem in India?
Prashant Radhakrishnan: These are still early days for EV’s in India, but we believe that the adoption of EV’s will be rapid and require the setup of large-scale charging infrastructure in the country. We would like to leverage our experience and expertise in the industry, given our pedigree in an advanced market like the US and our design, technology, and manufacturing base in India to the state of the line products and services to the Indian market. We would like to be seen as one of the front runners in India over the next few years.
Prateek: Battery degradation is a prime concern in the EV segment. How this can be reduced?
Prashant Radhakrishnan: AC Charging is the best way to handle this problem. Reliable, controlled charging at a moderate speed will reduce the impact of battery degradation.
Prateek: How SemaConnect is setting up EV charging stations in residences and workplaces?
Prashant Radhakrishnan: We work directly with Corporates, Real Estate builders, International Property Consultants like JLL, CBRE, and also RWA’s and reseller partners to offer our range of products and services to clients. As you can see our approach is comprehensive.
Prateek: How can the efficiency of EV charging stations increase by pricing?
Prashant Radhakrishnan: Encouraging/ nudging people to disconnect from the charging station once their optimum battery limit for charging has been met is one good way to enhance station efficiency. This can be done using pricing including charging extra for a time at the station post charging etc.
