By: Anant Nahata, Managing Director, Exicom
The use of electric vehicles (EVs) has increased worldwide in recent years due to concerns about air pollution and climate change. According to a recent report, global EV sales increased by 71% YoY in Q3 2022. In India, sales increased from 3.2 lakh to 10 lakh in 2022 with the segment registering a growth of over 200% during this period (VAHAN data).
The year 2023 promises to be the biggest year in the electric car market with many customers switching to EVs. However, the biggest challenge for EV owners is finding easy and reliable ways to pay for their vehicles.
Traditionally, charging of EVs is done at a public car wash or at home using a wall outlet. Public charging devices are still in development causing users to drive their cars, compatible chargers not available, chargers not working, etc. Additionally, public charging requires the user to spend 30mins. – 90 minutes at the toll booth, which can be very difficult. The good news is that technological advances are changing the EV landscape, making it easier and more convenient for people to charge their cars.
One major development is the use of intelligent payment systems, controlled by intelligent software. The system allows EV owners to schedule charging times, set charging limits, and monitor charging status remotely via a smartphone app. This can help optimize charging time and reduce the load on the power grid and reduce electricity costs by charging during off-peak hours. Smart washing machines can also connect to the power grid to adjust charging times based on the availability of renewable energy, further reducing the environmental impact of EV charging.
User-friendly features such as voice control also help reduce the fear of using these new technologies. With this, users can provide voice messages from anywhere, anytime. They can receive real-time updates directly on the mobile phone to plan their routes accordingly, save battery and time. It lets them know how long it will take to charge the battery so they can choose the fastest way to get from one place to another with the best chance to charge it.
In addition, as digital is playing a major role in all sectors, digital experiences from installing a meter, assisting in charging to solving customer problems and addressing concerns will help in charging and drive more users to adopt EVs.
Another technological advancement in the EV space is the use of wireless charging systems. These systems use magnetic fields to transfer power from the charger to the EV, eliminating the need for physical cables and connectors. This makes charging an EV as easy as parking at a charging pad, and can be very convenient for those who don’t have access to a traditional charging station. Anyone who has used wireless charging on their cell phones can attest to how easy it is.
Finally, the use of renewable energy sources for charging EVs is also increasing. Solar panels, for example, can be used to generate electricity for EVs, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering the emissions of EV ownership. Some EV companies are also offering charging subscriptions powered by green electricity, further encouraging the use of renewable energy in transportation.
Overall, technology is changing the landscape for your EVs by making them more convenient, efficient, and environmentally friendly. As these technologies continue to grow and become more widespread, it is likely that we will see more widespread adoption of EVs in the future.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are personal and do not reflect the responsibility or principles of Financial Express Online. Reproduction of this content without permission is prohibited.
