TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES
“ A classic illustration of how EVs have forced the development of digital-led ecosystems is in the way they are powered . Conventional fuelling did not have an organic need for digital systems . Charging networks and management , on the other hand , have been fundamentally based on digital operating models . Data from EVs and EV battery management systems , and its efficient utilisation , is more critical to the long-term adoption and viability of EVs , compared to their ICE predecessors ,” says Parthasarathy .
As the digital ecosystem evolves , technology and automation enable more possibilities for charging solutions in the urban environment that defy the conventional format of designated fuelling areas . While it is critical to supply such services , drivers and businesses also have the flexibility to choose other options , such as charging at a restaurant , at home , at work , or in the car park at a shopping centre .
According to Parthasarathy , the digital ecosystem also enables a smoother transition from internal combustion ehicles ( ICVs ), which follow a traditional power format .
“ For example , one of the biggest concerns is around range anxiety and the need to provide , in real-time , the accurate range left on the vehicle . And with the entry of non-traditional players into the charging ecosystem , we now have access to chargers at restaurants , grocery stores , hotels etc , where one can seamlessly reserve and charge their vehicles , unlike the gas-stationsonly option to fill ICVs ,” Parthasarathy says .
“ This opens a whole new digital ecosystem to enable customers to find charging stations , reserve them and complete the entire commercial transaction around it .”
“ KEEPING THE FOCUS ON THE BIG PICTURE AND ENSURING WE TAKE THE RIGHT STEPS IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF MY MIND — A CHALLENGE THAT I THOROUGHLY ENJOY ”
LAKSH PARTHASARATHY GLOBAL BUSINESS HEAD - SMART MOBILITY GROUP , TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES
Industries that were not previously associated with mobility are crosspollinating and electrification is providing them with commercial opportunities to leverage charging as a competitive advantage , which also supports the shift away from fossil fuels .
Digital transformation empowers e-mobility When looking at how digital technology serves consumers today , it ’ s important to understand their current interactions . Before exploring how technology can be leveraged to meet the needs of an evolving industry , leaders first need to be aware of the ‘ social customer ’, which Parthasarathy explains is a term coined to represent how users respond to a product or service .
These days , technologies are intertwined with social media as an integral part of consumers , whereby they are likely to turn to
112 February 2023