Clean energy, EV, sustainability, leadership insights
India’s clean-energy shift is part of a larger global movement, driven by rapid advancements in electric vehicles (EVs), sustainable energy solutions, and government policy. As India aims to become a global leader in clean energy, its progress is influenced by international market growth, emerging technologies, and evolving policy trends. For those of us building inside this transformation, it is also a personal journey, shaped by lessons, missteps, and the constant pressure of scaling something new.
My own path into this industry was never planned. In fact, my career started by selling petrol and diesel for a living, and the energy transition in the early phases of my career looked more theatrical in the short term. I worked across roles that had nothing to do with EVs or power systems at the time. But each role taught me something essential: how to build teams, think long-term, and stay calm when things go wrong. These were the foundations I carried with me when I joined the clean energy sector in a leadership role. What I didn’t expect was how quickly the industry and my job would change around me.
"The market has shifted faster than anyone predicted"
India’s EV sector was still young in 2019-20 when I joined. Many customers questioned the viability of EV charging infrastructure and the future of clean mobility in India: Every deployment seemed like a test case. Every charger installed was monitored like a newborn.
Today, OEMs are launching advanced platforms and investors are backing long term plays in sustainable energy. Consumers expect fast, reliable EV charging infrastructure with zero excuses. Safety, cyber standards, and uptime are under the spotlight in a way we never imagined years ago. This shift pushed companies in the sector into a new phase: from pilot deployments to large-scale national infrastructure. From basic chargers to high-power, software-led platforms. From an India-focused team to a global engineering and manufacturing organization, partnering with global partners and sharing best practices.
For me as a leader, the question changed from “How do we prove this works?” to “How do we make it work every day at scale?”. That mindset change has defined the last few years.
Technology helps, but it doesn’t solve everything
Technology sits at the center of our industry’s progress. Smart diagnostics, advanced electronics, remote monitoring, and AI-led predictive tools have changed the way we operate. These systems enable operators to detect problems early, optimize performance, and better support customers.
But technology also forces you to face the reality: reliability is not created by algorithms alone. It comes from disciplined engineering, a culture that values quality, and teams that understand the stakes on the ground. Connectors don’t always match perfectly. Field conditions stress hardware in ways engineers never predict. This is where my earlier career lessons became valuable. You cannot outsource judgment. You cannot automate ownership. You cannot scale without systems. We learned this as we shifted from reactive maintenance to data-led field operations. The technology enabled it, but the real change came from people and teams who adopted new processes and raised the bar on reliability.
The road ahead will demand depth, not just speed
Looking at the next five years, India’s energy and mobility ecosystem - including electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced battery technologies - is entering a decisive phase. What we build now will define the market for a decade, and help shape India’s leadership in the global clean energy transition. The choices made here will set examples for other emerging markets worldwide.
High-power charging will move from a niche to the norm. Software will become the brain of every hardware product. Safety and cybersecurity will become non negotiable. Customers will measure value not just by innovation, but also by reliability and service. Global standards will shape how Indian companies design, manufacture, and operate, ensuring India’s solutions stay competitive and applicable worldwide.
Use technology to amplify discipline, not replace it
The turning point in my own journey was recognizing that leadership isn't just about solving the biggest problem of the day. It is about designing organizations that solve problems better than any one person can. This is the mindset India’s energy transition now requires from all of us. We are still in the early chapters of a massive transformation.
My belief is simple: the clean energy industry, in India and globally, rewards those who build for the long game by committing to sustainability, innovation, and leadership. If we stay committed to quality, invest in people, and continue to see substantial results, we won’t just observe the future of energy; we will help shape it.
