In a discussion with Sandeep Kumar, Director of Solterra, Gunjan Sachdeva delves into the journey, innovations, and strategic vision behind the company’s efforts to lead energy conversion in the EV industry. Here are the excerpts of the talk:
Can you share a bit about your journey so far and what sparked the inspiration to lead in energy conversion for the EV industry?
We started a couple of years ago. Solterra’s journey began with a vision of transforming energy in the EV industry, driven by a passion for sustainable transportation and the opportunity to address gaps in energy efficiency and reliability within the EV ecosystem. Our inspiration stemmed from the belief that advanced technology would significantly impact the adoption of EVs. We set out to create solutions that would help the ecosystem in a better way. Being in this industry for the past seven to eight years, we have worked very hard to determine which products would be most suitable for this market, aligning them with our vision.
In such a dynamic and competitive market, what would you say? Rarely sets Solterra apart from other players in the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) and EV sectors.
It’s a very competitive market, with many players entering the EV segment, whether it’s in EVs, the battery segment, or the charger segment. Our commitment to the entire ecosystem focuses on durability, reliability, and customisation. We prioritize high-quality products that meet all customer requirements. As you know, India has a very harsh environment, with extreme conditions that are critical for the system, especially for electronics. We design our products in such a way that they can withstand harsh conditions while delivering performance that satisfies customers. Additionally, we are very flexible in terms of customization, particularly on the software side. Few companies are working in this space, and this is our USP. We can work on software very quickly to meet customer requirements.
Your products are known for their durability. What’s the secret behind ensuring they can withstand even the harshest conditions for up to 8 years?
For durability, given my background in the telecom and automotive industries, when I moved from telecom to EV, I recognized that durability and reliability are more important to the market. We came up with a product that can 100% fulfil environmental requirements. So, we are introducing an IP67 charger into the industry, which is more reliable in terms of weatherproofing and vibration proofing. The product is 100% waterproof, dustproof, and vibration-proof. These are the major issues in the industry, and we came up with a solution. We introduced IPCC 7. Yes, at the initial stage, it was very tough for us to bring this product to the market, but people are now relying on our product, and we have engaged with many customers who are coming back to us for a reliable and high-performance product.
Customization is a big deal these days. How does your 100% CAN matrix customization enhance the overall customer experience?
If I say 100%, the matrix can see for us that every customer has unique requirements. In the automotive industry, particularly for the two-wheeler and three-wheeler EV market, every customer has some kind of customization. We have around 60 to 70 SKUs, different models, which fit within their bracket. We are also very flexible with both software and hardware. We’ve created a matrix in such a way that 99% of our products meet their requirements. So, we have developed this kind of plan and matrix to ensure our product can fulfil their 100% requirements.
Standards like IEC and AIS play a crucial role in the industry. How do these international standards influence the way you design and develop your products?
Regarding the IEC standard and AI standards, with the IEC, if you make a product that adheres to this standard, your product can be suitable for both the domestic and export markets. You also have to take care of safety, performance, and interoperability. That’s a major point. Now, take AIS 156, Amendment Three. When the government launched and mandated this standard, the product must be more reliable, and integrated with the battery and vehicle, and the safety needs to be met 100%. That’s crucial to safety first. But performance is also important from the customer’s point of view. They want to charge their battery and vehicle in a timely manner and enhance charging speed. So, we are focused on all these aspects and adopting international standards. That’s why we are working towards this.
Solterra seems to have a strong focus on 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers. What’s driving this focus, and how does it benefit your customers?
Our focus is on both the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments, which are different areas to work towards. There are many players, including existing brands, as well as new startups coming into the market. The requirements and the new kinds of models are varied. In fact, we are also working on another segment coming into EVs, which includes drones for agriculture as well as agricultural equipment. So, we cannot say we are only working on the two-wheeler and three-wheeler markets. We are also working on the drone market and agricultural equipment, like tractors, as agricultural equipment is also coming into the EV space.
Emerging technologies are reshaping the industry. What innovations are you integrating into Solterra’s products?
If we talk about innovations, while products in this segment already exist, we are developing a new product – public chargers for the two-wheeler and three-wheeler market. As you know, at present, there are no such solutions in the market. Consumers and owners of two-wheelers and three-wheelers cannot charge their vehicles publicly. We are working towards this innovation and collaborating with many OEMs and battery manufacturers focused on this segment. The aim is to create an ecosystem where vehicles can be charged both at home and in public spaces. We are also working with AI platforms that will support and enhance this ecosystem.
When it comes to DC rapid charging, what makes your modules stand out in a crowded market?
As I mentioned earlier, public charging stations are the right way to drive adoption and fulfil this requirement. We are working with many OEMs, who are focusing on DC rapid solutions for the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments. We have also come up with a solution featuring liquid-cooled modules, which can charge vehicles very quickly. These vehicles can be charged within 15 to 20 minutes, or a maximum of 30 minutes. We are working on this innovation, and very soon, by the end of this month or in Q1, we will launch a few products to meet this demand.
Partnerships can be game changers. Can you share a success story that highlights Solterra’s approach to long-term collaborations?
Collaborating on a large scale, especially at the beginning, is very challenging. Initially, you have to work extremely hard in the automotive industry to establish your presence in the market. Only then will people rely on you, believe in you, and understand that your products are durable, your team is strong, and you have the ability to meet their technical requirements.We can understand exactly what product they need. Currently, Solterra is collaborating with over 200 OEMs in the industry, both in India and export markets. We are also working in the Indonesian market, the African market, and many other countries.
Sustainability is more important than ever. How are you incorporating eco-friendly practices into Solterra’s daily operations?
Sustainability is the core area of our operation. If our product is not reliable, we cannot sustain ourselves in the market. So, our process is systematic. We are working on the production area in a systematic way. We have a complete design, FMEA process, and process FMEA approach, along with our PPAP process. There is a no-dust environment during the assembly line, and we maintain all checklists and instruction sheets to ensure that the product we are producing is 100% in line with the customer’s requirements. For us, if our product is not reliable, we cannot sustain in the market. Therefore, we have to meet all customer requirements to stay competitive.
Looking to the future, what’s next for Solterra? We’d love to hear more about your plans for expanding product lines and entering new markets.
We started our journey with the two-wheeler and three-wheeler market. Now, there is a segment where three-wheeler cargo vehicles and four-wheelers are emerging in the market, and it’s a huge market. Many OEMs are working on electric trucks, mini trucks, and mini buses. There’s a mix of small and larger vehicles entering the EV segment. Our point is that we are working across all these segments. We began with low-voltage chargers, and now we are moving towards high-voltage chargers and onboard chargers. Currently, we are working on a combination of onboard chargers and DC-DC, which can be described as a two-in-one combo. This product will shape the future of the market.
To wrap things up, what message would you like to share with the industry and our audience?
As we look to the future, I want to emphasize the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving the transition to sustainable transportation. At Solterra, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible and working with partners across the industry to create solutions that benefit both us and the environment. Together, we can accelerate the adoption of EVs and make a positive impact on the world.
Sandeep Kumar
Director
Solterra