Interview: Akshay Sasikumar, CEO of 82Volt Technologies

Interview with Akshay Sasikumar, CEO of 82Volt Technologies

Akshay Sasikumar leads Strategy, Product, Branding, and Investments at 82Volt. He has been an entrepreneur for the last 15 years and 82Volt is his third venture.

The EV industry has always been something very close to his heart since he built an Electric scooter during his engineering days.

His tenure with the NASSCOM 10,000 Start-ups program helped him gain valuable insights into the start-up industry and helps 82Volt navigate the ecosystem.

As CEO of 82Volt, Akshay is focused on spotting opportunities in the promising EV segment in India. His mantra, ‘ Collaboration is key to success, ‘ is at the core of 82Volt’s strategy.

Setting up an R&D unit, a data practise for the EV charging industry, and value engineering the chargers to Indianize them, are his top priorities currently.

Akshay believes in the simplicity of setting up a lean strategy where both processes and teams are enabled to react in a super quick time as this industry grows.

Before 82volt, Akshay was part of several government-led initiatives to set up Technology corridors between India and other countries.

He has also been working closely with start-ups and SMEs across 8 countries, advising them on capital infusion to the tune of US$ 200 Million.

His key strengths include Business and Capital Strategy. He set up NASSCOM 10,000 Start-ups program across multiple states in collaboration with state governments and private sector incumbents.

Tell us a little about yourself

Akshay Sasikumar: I come from a family where both my parents were working. I graduated in Automobile Engineering and then did an MBA from MDI Gurgaon.

I have been an entrepreneur at heart and started my first company after my MBA (82Volt is my 3rd venture).

I have worked with NASSCOM, the premier IT industry body in India, for a short span. I have travelled extensively and have tried to learn things from every country that I have visited. As a hobby, I am an avid golfer and make it a point to play at least once a week.

Can you provide an overview of 82Volt Technologies and its mission within the electric vehicle (EV) industry?

Akshay Sasikumar: 82Volt is an EV technology company that aims to improve EV adoption in India.  

The company is making significant contributions to India’s EV growth by bringing in world-class chargers and offering tailor-made solutions, 82Volt is enabling corporates, residences, fleets, and eMSPs (Electric Mobility Service Providers) to build robust charging infrastructure across the country. 

One of the key factors hindering the adoption of electric vehicles is the availability of convenient and reliable charging infrastructure.

82Volt recognizes this challenge and aims to address it by providing high-quality chargers and customized solutions.

This commitment ensures that electric vehicle owners have easy access to charging facilities, which in turn encourages the widespread adoption of EVs.

By actively participating in India’s EV revolution, 82Volt aims to play a crucial role in accelerating the country’s transition towards sustainable and greener transportation.

What sets 82Volt Technologies apart from other companies in the EV sector? How do you differentiate your products and services?

Akshay Sasikumar: 82Volt is a data focussed company which aims to collect data through EV chargers. We are partnering with one of the world’s leaders when it comes to charging technology and hence our offering in the market is at a premium.

Our goal is to make EV charging a seamless experience. Starting with the CPOs and eMSPs who operate the charging network to the end users of Electric Vehicles, we will remove all barriers that make the process cumbersome.

As a fully integrated EV technology company, what areas of the EV ecosystem does 82Volt Technologies specialize in, and how do you ensure seamless integration of your products and solutions?

Akshay Sasikumar: 82Volt is currently focused on building a robust and intelligent EV Charging network that has the ability to track multiple parameters including grid conditions.

Our suite of offerings includes  AC and DC chargers that can charge cars in the most optimal way thereby taking care of the most important component within the EV, i.e. the battery.

Our chargers are compatible with all 4-wheelers in India, including heavy passenger vehicles.  This gives us two distinctive advantages, one seamless charging experience and second extremely high safety standards. The company is also building data capabilities to create India-specific chargers and solutions. 

The EV market is rapidly evolving. How does 82Volt Technologies stay ahead of the curve in terms of technological advancements and industry trends?

Akshay Sasikumar: 82Volt thrives on a culture of learning and innovation. We work with the best in the industry be it our design and manufacturing partners, or the software systems that we use to manage our chargers.

We are building world-class data practice within our team which will eventually up the game in the Charging infrastructure space.

We are keeping a close eye on advancements in battery technology and will always be at par with what the industry requires.

What was the inspiration behind turning into an entrepreneur?

Akshay Sasikumar: I became an entrepreneur at the age of 25 and this is my 3rd venture. I am a technology enthusiast and like the fact that technology is entering every facet of life.

Post my MBA in 2008, when I saw a mini tech revolution of sorts, i.e. the beginning of the e-commerce and smartphone era, it inspired to me think of something that the future industries would require. Therefore, in 2008 I started a Retail Analytics company.

Could you highlight some of the innovative technologies and solutions that 82Volt Technologies has developed to enhance electric vehicles’ performance, range, and efficiency?

Akshay Sasikumar: Our charging infra focuses on maintaining the life of the EV battery. Improper charging leads to a rapid depreciation in the battery health thereby increasing range anxiety and performance of the vehicle. Solving this is one of the most important steps toward improving EV adoption.

How does 82Volt Technologies ensure the safety and reliability of its EV technology solutions, particularly in areas such as battery management systems and electric powertrain development?

Akshay Sasikumar: Our products are in the EV charging space. All our products have been tested and certified by the most rigorous testing agencies globally.

Our manufacturing partner has been in the Automotive Diagnostics space for over half a century and is the world leader in diagnostics equipment, Hence there is a lot of credibility that comes along with this sort of experience.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs or individuals looking to make an impact in the EV industry?

Akshay Sasikumar: The EV industry is still in its nascent stage and India requires several more entrepreneurs to help the industry grow.

Study the market well, look at solving the most relevant problems in the industry and you can build a robust business with very little capital.

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