Latest news with #DinkarAgrawal
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
EV charging stations usage goes up in Karnataka as number of EV users increases
In the last few months, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) has seen an increase in electricity consumption in their public Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. While 14,648 charging sessions delivering electricity of 65,278 kWh were registered in November 2024, the number went up by more than two times in the month of April 2025, as 29,538 charging sessions were registered delivering around 1,85,051 kWh electricity. Bescom officials attributed this rise to the increasing number of EVs and charging stations in its jurisdiction. 'The number of EVs, especially around Bengaluru, has been going up consistently over the years. We have increased the number of public charging stations to cater to this demand. We have added 140 new stations since the beginning of this year,' said a senior official from Bescom. According to the data available on Vahan dashboard, the official portal of the the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), 19,284 new EVs were registered across Karnataka from January 2025 till date. Between 2022 and 2023, the State saw a sharp spike in the number of EV registrations with 1,52,663 new EVs registered in 2023. In 2022, 95,839 new EVs were registered. In 2024, the number of new EV registrations (battery operated vehicles and pure EV) was 2,03,453. Increase in demand EV sellers have seen an increase in demand in the last few years. 'Bengaluru has been one of the top three performing cities for Oben Electric, reflecting the city's growing appetite for sustainable, tech-driven mobility solutions. Over the past two years, demand for EVs here has seen a significant upswing,' said Dinkar Agrawal, founder, CTO, COO at Oben Electric. 'Several factors have contributed to this growth. Karnataka's EV policies played a key role by offering demand-side incentives, supporting local manufacturing, and enabling faster infrastructure deployment. Bengaluru's early adopter mindset, environmental consciousness, and tech-forward population further accelerated this shift. The steady expansion of public and private charging networks across the city has helped ease range anxiety, making EVs a practical choice for daily commuting,' he said. EV buyers, on the other hand, say they are prompted by economic reasons. Sriharsha. M., a resident of Jayanagar, who bought an electric two-wheeler in October 2024, said, 'Switching to an EV has saved both time and money, as there are no more long waits at petrol stations. My running cost has dropped significantly. The fact that I will be contributing to a cleaner environment also made me want to buy an EV.' The challenge is to scale up at speed The latest data provided by the Central Government shows that Karnataka has the highest number of public EV charging stations (5,880) in India, out of which over 4,000 are in Bengaluru. However, with the increasing number of vehicles, motorists say that the existing infrastructure is not enough. Many of them complain that the public charging stations set up by both private companies and the government are not free of glitches. 'Sometimes, the apps which I use show that a certain public charger is working, but when I go there, it will be out of service. I do not find charging stations nearby in all the areas. The need of the hour is an increase in the number of public chargers across Bengaluru. Those who set up chargers should ensure that it is in the right condition to provide services to EV users,' said Shalini. Y.P., an electric two-wheeler user from Thalaghattapura. EV sellers opine that increasing and enhancing the infrastructure will provide more commuters with the confidence to switch to EVs. 'While Bengaluru has made commendable strides in building EV infrastructure, with over 4,400 charging stations already operational, the challenge now lies in scaling up with speed. Infrastructure needs to be not just available but ubiquitous, user-friendly, and integrated seamlessly into daily routines,' said Mr. Agrawal. 'For a leading EV city like Bengaluru, the next phase of growth depends on deepening infrastructure access across residential, commercial, and transit zones. As electric two-wheeler adoption accelerates the gaps in convenience and charging speed while uniformity across platforms could influence consumer confidence.' Battery powered charging station near Devanahalli After a long wait for formal inauguration, Bescom's first-of-its-kind initiative — an EV charging station powered by second-life batteries — has begun operations near the Kempegowda International Airport at Devanahalli. In February, 1,606 charging sessions were recorded at the station while in March, the number more than doubled with 3,804 charging sessions. In April, 5,069 charging sessions were recorded at the station. This charging station has a rooftop solar installation, which powers the chargers during day time. The excess solar energy is stored in batteries and is used to power the chargers in non-solar hours.
Entrepreneur
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Entrepreneur
Partners in Innovation
Founded in 2020 by Madhumita and Dinkar Agrawal, Oben Electric offers innovative electric motorcycles with in-house components, focusing on quality, performance, and urban mobility. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Building an electric vehicle (EV) startup from the ground up is no small feat, but for Madhumita Agrawal, Founder and CEO of Oben Electric, and Dinkar Agrawal, Founder, CTO and COO, it has been a journey of shared vision, resilience, and strategic leadership. The husband-wife duo, who have known each other for 17 years, have leveraged their complementary strengths to create a truly integrated EV company in India. Their entrepreneurial journey began with IPExcel, a venture in R&D and intellectual property services. "One of the most valuable lessons we learned is that a business must be run like a business," said Madhumita. While passion drives innovation, they understood that scaling a company requires structured execution, strong systems, and a clear vision. These foundational principles became the backbone of Oben Electric, shaping its manufacturing, operations, and market strategy. Running a business together comes with unique challenges, but Madhumita and Dinkar have developed an unspoken understanding of balancing responsibilities. "The advantage of being co-founders is that we celebrate the highs and navigate the lows together," added Dinkar. However, both experiencing pressure at the same time means there's no external buffer, making proactive stress management crucial. "We divide roles strategically—Madhumita focuses on external strategy, sales, and market positioning, while I handle internal operations and execution," stated Dinkar. When it comes to disagreements, logic and business impact always take precedence. "It's never about personal preferences; it's about what benefits Oben Electric the most," Madhumita emphasised. "Decisions are evaluated based on feasibility, complexity, and alignment with the company's long-term vision." The startup journey has not been without its obstacles. "One of the toughest moments was when regulatory changes disrupted our launch plans while we were in the midst of a funding round. Acting swiftly, we ensured compliance, expedited our ARAI approvals in record time, and pushed forward without losing momentum," Madhumita recalled. "Another defining moment was Dinkar's strategic decision to design and manufacture Oben Electric's core components in-house. This move gave us complete control over innovation and quality, setting the company apart in India's EV landscape," she added. Despite the challenges, the duo takes pride in building an EV company from scratch, competing against industry giants. "Unlike conglomerates with massive financial backing, we started with a vision and a purpose," Madhumita reflected. Their guiding principle remains simple: every problem has a solution—it's just a matter of finding it. Through structured leadership, mutual trust, and an unwavering commitment to their mission, Madhumita and Dinkar continue to shape Oben Electric's journey, proving that true partnerships—both in life and business—can drive extraordinary success. Facts:
