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India’s driving conditions, marked by potholes, high dust levels, and waterlogging, pose significant challenges for EV adoption. Altigreen, recognising these obstacles, has developed technology tailored to withstand such conditions, particularly for commercial vehicles. With a focus on domestic production and substantial innovation, Altigreen achieves 93% local value addition, excluding lithium cells, and holds 32 global patents. Their commitment to creating resilient and reliable EVs is paving the way for a sustainable future in India’s transportation sector. Dr. Amitabh Saran, Founder of Altigreen Propulsion Labs gave a detailed account of the EV revolution in an exclusive interview with Garima Pant, Associate Editor of Elets News Network (ENN). Edited excerpts:

India’s driving conditions present several unique challenges. How does Altigreen technology specifically address these challenges, making it suitable for commercial vehicles in the country?

India’s journey with EVs began in 1999 with the launch of a successful four- wheeler, later acquired by Mahindra in 2010. Despite this early start, EV adoption in India has been slow due to challenging conditions such as potholes, high dust levels, waterlogging, overloading, and unprofessional driving. Fossil fuels like petrol, diesel, LPG, and CNG have effectively addressed these issues, making the transition to EVs uncertain for many.

Altigreen identified a significant opportunity in this space. While many EV components were imported, Altigreen focused on building all critical elements domestically, from motors to battery packs, ensuring they could withstand India’s conditions. Today, Altigreen boasts 93% domestic value addition, excluding lithium cells, and holds 32 global patents across the US, Europe, Australia, Africa, and South Asia. Their innovations aim to make EVs more rugged and reliable for the Indian market.

With a PhD in computer science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and numerous published papers in software engineering books, what inspired you to venture into the electrification domain as someone experienced in software startups?

My interest in the environment and automobiles has been long-standing. According to a 2011 report, 1.3 million people were losing their lives prematurely due to poor air quality, with a study by IIT Kanpur revealing that 25 percent of these deaths were related to road transport pollution. The Lancet report of 2023 highlighted that 2.6 million people in India alone lose their lives early because of poor air quality. Back in 2012-2013, I hoped for good EVs in India. For personal vehicles, I believed hybrids were a better solution than full EVs due to the lack of charging infrastructure. When Toyota introduced a hybrid at Rs. 29 lakh, it was clear it wouldn’t impact the masses due to the high price. This realization led me to start my third company, following two successful acquisitions.

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Entrepreneurs excel in creating something from nothing, regardless of domain expertise. Although I didn’t know how to build an automobile, I could recruit top professionals to tackle mass-market problems. Computer science has always been central to our company, with software as our backbone. Despite being a small automaker, we use SAP for data integrity and decision- making. Our EVs generate vast amounts of data, processed both in-house and on the cloud, allowing us to enhance vehicle uptime and efficiency, and offer valuable insights to partners. This data helps logistics companies optimize operations and financiers monitor vehicle performance.

Our vision is to save lives and clean the environment. Every member of our organisation shares this commitment, driving us to produce cars that not only serve customers but also contribute to a healthier, sustainable world.

You began your journey in the electric vehicle industry long before the concept gained widespread acceptance. How have you seen the industry evolve over the years, and how do you anticipate the government’s mandate ‘Global EV30@30’ of achieving 30% electric vehicle adoption by 2030 will be fulfilled?

Since 2012, India’s automotive mindset has shifted dramatically. Previously focused on transitioning from (Bharat Stage) BS IV to BS VI over two decades, the industry now embraces hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) as the new standard. EVs, once seen as luxury items, have become affordable thanks to companies like Altigreen. For example, auto rickshaw drivers now pay just 92 paise per kilometer, down from Rs. 4, saving them Rs. 3 per kilometer and offering improved warranties, build quality, and reduced noise and pollution.

Electrification of villages and widespread electric sockets have further boosted EV adoption, particularly for commercial vehicles. While passenger cars in India average just 34 km per day, leading to range anxiety, hybrids may be more practical. However, fixed-use cases like commercial vehicles are ideal for electrification.

Three-wheelers have immense potential in India and emerging markets like South Asia, Africa, and South America. Unlike companies that adapt global designs, Altigreen focuses on solutions specifically for these regions. The rise of rapid delivery services underscores the demand for efficient commercial vehicles, driving significant industry changes and future growth.

Based on your insights, do you believe that range anxiety is more prevalent in the non-commercial vehicle segment due to different usage patterns, while the commercial vehicle segment has largely overcome this issue?

In the EV sector, distinguishing between commercial and personal vehicles is essential, particularly regarding range anxiety. Commercial EVs, used for last-mile transport, benefit from predictable routes and accessible charging infrastructure. In contrast, personal vehicles face unpredictable routes and conditions, increasing range anxiety due to uncertain charging needs.

Personal vehicle drivers typically commute about 34 km daily, with occasional long trips of 300 km or more. The modest monthly savings of Rs. 2,000 to 3,000 from EVs, compared to conventional cars, and concerns about charging infrastructure make EVs less appealing as a primary mode of transportation.

Commercial EVs are more viable due to their defined routes and operational benefits. Innovations include specialized vehicles, such as those optimized for milk delivery. As infrastructure improves, hybrids may serve as a transitional solution for personal vehicles, reducing range anxiety and offering flexibility. The future will likely feature diverse vehicle formats tailored to specific use cases, reflecting evolving consumer demands and preferences.

Could you outline some specific targets or milestones that Altigreen has set to achieve its goal of carbon-free transportation?

Altigreen aims to achieve carbon-free transportation by converting 100% of three-wheelers to electric by 2030, with every new three-wheeler sold after that being electric. This ambitious goal extends to an ecosystem of partners supporting electric vehicles in last-mile delivery.

Traditionally dominated by diesel vehicles for tasks like transporting gas cylinders and garbage collection, the shift to electric three-wheelers now caters mainly to last-mile delivery services. Altigreen is committed to innovating three-wheel and four-wheel vehicles from an electric vehicle mindset, tailored to the evolving cargo and passenger transport landscape.

Despite challenges, Altigreen has benefited from strong investor support over the past 12 years. As of April 2024, we have 5,000 electric vehicles on the road, which have collectively traveled 50 million kilometers, saving CO2 emissions equivalent to 40 ‘carbon parks’. This milestone underscores our commitment to environmental sustainability. Looking ahead, Altigreen remains dedicated to advancing clean transportation solutions in India’s evolving market.

Can you elaborate on how Altigreen navigated through the certification processes for electric vehicles, considering the challenges typically faced by startups? Additionally, what improvements do you believe could streamline these processes and approvals for startups in the EV sector?

The rapid evolution of the EV space contrasts sharply with the 120-year old history of fossil fuels. Concerns about the mining of EV materials and the potential for serious damage from improperly built vehicles highlight the need for rigorous safety standards. Regulators, having to quickly educate themselves about EVs, have done a commendable job ensuring automobile safety despite challenges.

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It’s crucial not to rush the regulatory process and to maintain essential safety checks to protect the industry.
Collaborative efforts between agencies and manufacturers have made significant progress, and these processes will become more streamlined over time.

While fire incidents in EVs prompt immediate scrutiny, it’s important to note that fossil fuel vehicles also experience fires, with over 163,000 incidents annually in the US alone. Patience and cooperation are key as EV technology continues to improve, much like fossil fuel vehicles have over the past century.

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