By: Rajesh Kaushal, LOB Head – India & SAARC, Communication & Information Solutions Business Unit | ICTBG, Delta Electronics India Private Limited
Accelerating the Shift Toward Electric Mobility
India is swiftly transforming its transport sector to cut carbon emissions, reduce oil dependence, and meet global climate commitments. A critical enabler of this transition is the electrification of the mobility sector; a space the government is putting its shift on the table with policy moves and ambitious targets for the same. Some of the goals are to reach 30% Electric Vehicle (EV) penetration by 2030, which would make a clear statement that India is going to take the lead in sustainable mobility.
Recent data from FY 2024-25 point to the increasing popularity of electric cars. There were records of over 1.14 million units of e-2Ws being sold – an increase of 21% Y-o-Y. Electric three-wheeler (e-3W) sales also registered a 57 per cent jump to 159,235 units. These numbers represent a developed consumer demand for clean mobility and a big step towards mass electrification.
Key to this expansion is the government’s PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) initiative. With an expenditure of ₹10,900 crore over two years and a strong emphasis on demand incentives, local manufacturing, and infrastructure development, the scheme has reportedly gained rapid momentum. This program not only enhances the affordability and accessibility of E Vs but also paves the way for India’s transport system to leapfrog into an environmentally cleaner, greener future.
A Catalyst for Decarbonizing Logistics and Public Transport
While individual EVs help, the real game-changer lies in electrifying commercial fleets. High-utilization fleets like e-commerce, logistics, and public transport are major contributors to emissions when using internal combustion engines. Diesel trucks, though just 3% of India’s fleet, account for 53% of particulate matter and one-third of transport-related CO₂ emissions. A shift to zero-emission trucks (ZETs) could save 2.8–3.8 gigatons of CO₂ by 2050. Additionally, ZET adoption could reduce diesel consumption by 838 billion liters, saving ₹116 lakh crore (US$1.5 trillion) in oil costs. This transition supports both emission reduction and India’s broader sustainability goals.
But to some extent, that is already beginning to change, as many companies are now making the shift to electric fleets, not just to meet internal sustainability goals, but because they want to avoid skyrocketing costs for fuel and vehicle maintenance. For instance, big online stores and delivery aggregators are deploying electric two- and three-wheelers for city deliveries, and city transit authorities are investing in electric buses to provide cleaner public transportation.
The Indian State has made many efforts in this direction. There is a separate allocation of ₹4,391 crore only for fleet electrification in public transport under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Ecosystem (PM E-DRIVE) scheme. The aim of this funding is to assist the state and city-level transport departments to buy 14, 028 electric buses in the country. The scheme will also drive the growth of charging infrastructure, and the manufacture of batteries, packs, and cells in the country, serving the dual purpose of environmental as well as economic prosperity.
India is well-positioned to lead the transformation of its transportation sector through the electrification of public and commercial fleets. This transition presents a powerful opportunity to enhance urban air quality, strengthen energy security by promoting domestic energy sources, and build a cost-effective, technology-driven, and future-ready transportation network. Embracing this path supports the nation’s ambitious goals for smart and sustainable cities, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, environmental stewardship, and long-term economic growth.
Intelligent Fleet Management Platforms and Multi-Application EV Chargers
There are two key components that are necessary for the successful deployment of electric vehicles in commercial fleets.
- Intelligent Fleet Management Platforms: These are based on IoT, cloud analytics, predictive preventive maintenance to optimize fleet operations, tracking vehicle performances, and scheduling the charging of vehicles
- Multi-Application EV Chargers: The smart multi-standard charging system to charge different types of vehicles such as two-wheeler, three-wheelers, four-wheelers and buses at a common platform
The Challenge: Electrifying Fleets at Scale
While mass electrification of the fleet holds significant promise, there are some particular and potentially unique challenges associated with scale that must be addressed to ensure the reliability, affordability, and operational performance of the service
High Utilization Requirements
Most commercial fleets are in consistent use, sometimes around the clock maintaining busy schedules with little down time. For instance, delivery fleets are carrying out multiple shifts, and buses have to stick to a schedule. In such situations, charging disrupts or unexpected maintenance can have a serious effect on a company’s operations and customer service
Charging Downtime
Traditional charging setups are not always designed for the fast-paced nature of commercial operations. Extended duration of charging may restrict vehicle availability from time yet limit daily availability and thereby affect daily service capacity and thereby reduce revenue. The situation is more complex if there are more vehicles that must be charged at once, and there is a need for fast-charging methods as well as charging windows that meet the operation needs.
Infrastructure Compatibility Across Vehicle Types
A fleet can be composed of various kinds of EV models, which are equipped with diverse battery sizes (capacities), voltage and connector types. Dealing with this profile of uncertainty in the absence of a common charging direction may generate system inefficiencies and additional investment requirements. These incompatibilities can lead to time-consuming operational delays, not to mention investments in multiple charger types, space and management systems.
Managing Energy Demand and Cost
Massive charging may have a great influence on the demand of power. Especially for a simultaneous charging situation. This not only puts pressure on the local grid but also means that fleet operators are paying more for electricity during periods of peak demand. Without a smart energy management approach, fleets may cause high operating expenses while destabilizing the local energy supply.
Need for Real-Time Monitoring, Scheduling, and Energy Optimization
Fleet electrification needs to be based on data. Operators will have insight to the location of the vehicle, battery status, and charging, as well as energy consumption in real-time. With built-in scheduling features, charging windows can be set according to usage patterns and energy charges to make sure vehicles are always charging and ready—without overcharging the bill. Reliability is increased through the use of predictive analytics, which can help determine maintenance before machines fail.
The Solution: Fleet Management Platforms
With increased adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) into commercial fleets, the efficient operation of such fleets is of paramount interest. For such needs, integrated fleet management platforms offer fleet operators a central one-stop-shop to manage and optimize their operations in a very visual manner. These are advanced technology platforms that deliver the electricity fleets need to keep rolling, minimize downtime and optimize performance.
Integrated Software Platforms
Fleet management platforms provide powerful capabilities that consolidate control, visibility, and action for a disparate fleet of EVs. These platforms enable fleet operators to:
- Real-Time Monitoring: Fleet managers monitor vehicle’s exact location, battery’s status, the progress of charging and all sort of important stats in real-time. This exposure allows operators to address issues in a timely manner and make routing and vehicle deployment decisions based on the real- time information
- Predictive Maintenance: These solutions can predict maintenance needs before they are necessary, leveraging data analytics. This pro-active strategy cuts down on spontaneous breakdowns, makes for less costly repairs, and can lead to more time on the road. For instance, it could identify problems like battery deterioration or motor degradation and enable early intervention
- Optimized Scheduling: Fleet management platforms optimize vehicle charging to maximize the incidents when vehicles are available for use. And by incorporating vehicle usage patterns with the current state of charge, these platforms minimize charging time, reduces inoperable vehicles, and guaranteed no bus is ever out of service due to dead batteries
Importance of IoT, Cloud Analytics, and Predictive Maintenance
A vital component supporting these fleet management functions is the use of IoT (Internet of Things) devices for the continuous, real-time measurement of vehicle and charge station data. These IoT devices monitor critical data points such as
- Battery charge levels
- Vehicle speed and performance
- Energy consumption during travel
- Charging station availability and energy output
Once that data is collected, cloud analytics will process it into insights that can be used. This real-time capability also allows the operators to ‘convert’ into smart deciders being able to decide over the changing of a route due to traffic jams or re-reoptimizing the charging schedule to take advantage of the cheapest power availability.
Moreover, predictive maintenance algorithms significantly decrease downtime and enhance the performance of the fleet. The algorithms sift through historical and real-time data, so that a vehicle can get work when it’s starting to need it, helping operators avoid breakdowns and minimize service interruptions. For example, predictive maintenance can tell you when a vehicle’s battery will run out of steam, or when certain parts – tires or motors for instance – might need replacing.
Delta’s Capabilities in Automation and Smart Energy Systems Integration
Delta Electronics, a leader in automation and energy management, provides fleet operators with cutting-edge solutions to integrate automation, energy management, and smart charging infrastructure. Delta’s fleet management platforms combine:
- Energy-efficient Automation: Delta offers solutions that assist in the automation of important tasks, including charging station management and fleet management, thereby minimizing human intervention and enhancing operational performance.
- Smart Charging Infrastructure: Delta combines smart charging technology with an advanced energy management system which allows for optimizing the charge time considering the grid, energy price, and fleet schedule.
- Comprehensive Energy Management: Delta platform features energy management that reduces wasted energy and operational costs, and ensures fleets always have enough power for operations. Such integration allows controlling the energy consumption and prevents overloading of the grid in rush hours.
Through its innovative solutions, Delta provides fleet operators with the tools to optimize fleet operations while maintaining a focus on sustainability and efficiency.
Infrastructure Optimization Through Integration
Combining EV charging infrastructure with advanced energy technologies is an important part of creating a resilient, affordable, and clean mobility system. The use of solar power, battery energy storage system (BESS) and the implementation of intelligent energy management platforms like SCADA and EMS are the most effective strategies.
Combining Charging with Renewables (Solar PV):
When combined with EV charging infrastructure, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can allow fleet operators and facilities managers to gain independence from the grid. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used directly to charge EVs during the day. That’s not only reducing electricity costs but also reducing the carbon footprint of the whole business. Solar can be a clean and cost-effective solution for fleet depots, destination charging spots, or remote charging stations at commercial hubs, particularly when complemented with smart inverters and monitoring platforms that can optimize solar yield.
Energy Storage Systems (BESS):
Battery Energy Storage Systems support solar PV by storing extra energy produced in solar peak or off grid peak. This stored energy can later be deployed during times of low solar production, or when there is high demand for electricity (like at night or during peak operating times). BESS also enables a stable power supply, lowers demand charges, and offers backup power in the event of an outage. For large EV fleets needing high-energy capacity, BESS flattens load curves and enhances energy resiliency.
SCADA/EMS Platforms:
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Energy Management Systems (EMS) play a critical role in optimizing energy use across integrated systems. They also enable monitoring, prediction and centralized management of energy generation, storage and usage, in real time. SCADA permits operators to monitor the performance of individual devices such as solar inverters, battery modules, and EV chargers, whereas EMS enables automatic decision making in load balancing, renewable utilization, and price-response. When used together, they are said to improve performance, identify faults from a proactive stance, and expedite interaction with the more intelligent grid.
Integrating these technologies into EV infrastructure not only secures the grid and contributes to energy costs savings, but also drives toward the goal of decarbonized and self-powered mobility. By offering smart grid-compatible designs with integrated solar generation, energy storage, and intelligent energy management, these solutions enable the deployment of future-proof EV charging infrastructure tailored for fleet managers and energy infrastructure developers.
Conclusion
The transition to electric mobility is far more complex than merely replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric alternatives. This takes more than just accommodating EV deployment; instead, we need to build an intelligent and integrated ecosystem that guarantees efficient EV operation for a range of use cases, particularly for demanding applications such as logistics and public transportation. At the core of this ecosystem are intelligent fleet management solutions and multi-application EV chargers. These technologies are key to helping operations work more efficiently, reducing energy consumption, and lessening the impact of downtime on the planet.
IOT, AI and cloud analytics enhanced fleet management platforms make real-time analytics, predictive maintenance, and intelligent scheduling possible, all of which is key for the effective deployment of commercial EVs. Multi-application chargers, meanwhile, offer the potential to charge a mix of vehicles, from two-wheelers to electric buses, all off a single infrastructure network, streamlining logistics and reducing infrastructure costs.