India with its growing population, bustling cities, and rising pollution level has transitioned towards sustainable transportation where Electric vehicles ( EVs) have emerged as a powerful alternative. EVs promise a new era of clean, green, and efficient modes of travel that will reshape the future of existing mobility. In May 2024, India saw a massive surge in EV adoption by selling 1.39 million units.
However, for EVs to truly thrive as a mainstream transportation option, particularly in commercial and fleet sectors, certain technological and logistical hurdles must be overcome. Among these, affordability, reliability, and access to an extensive support network are paramount. This is where IoT and real-time diagnostics come into play as powerful enablers, offering a practical approach to enhancing performance, minimising downtime, and reducing total ownership costs.
Power of IoT and its application in EVs
Internet of Things (IoT) technology has the potential to revolutionise EVs by transforming them into intelligent, responsive machines that provide actionable data to fleet operators, drivers, and service providers. Through embedded sensors and smart software, IoT integration enables real-time monitoring of an EV’s vital components such as the battery, motor, drivetrain, and braking systems. This constant flow of data allows fleet managers and drivers to anticipate potential issues, monitor usage patterns, and maximise energy efficiency.
In a commercial context, where vehicles are often subject to heavy, continuous use, IoT-enabled monitoring is especially crucial. By tracking wear-and-tear patterns and alerting operators to emerging maintenance needs, IoT can help fleets stay on the road longer without sacrificing safety or performance. This not only reduces the likelihood of sudden breakdowns but also minimises costly repairs that could have been avoided with early intervention.
Besides this, IoT can also optimised charging. With IoT, vehicles can automatically identify themselves at the station, initiate charging, and handle the bills, all without any manual input. This not only speeds up the charging process but also eliminates any fuss around payment.
Beyond charging, IoT enables vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, allowing vehicles to connect with traffic systems and optimise energy use. For instance, vehicles can adjust power consumption based on real-time conditions reducing non-essential power usage.
IoT in EVs doesn’t just make EVs smarter, it makes them smoother, more efficient, and user-centric. With real-time insights and optimal battery management, IoT allows EVs to go the extra mile on each charge.
Real-Time Diagnostics: Enhancing Reliability and Reducing Costs
As India is gearing up for 80 million EVs on roads by 2030, the need for real-time diagnostics has never been more critical. Real-time diagnostics uses advanced algorithms and ML models to monitor a vehicle’s performance incessantly.
Real-time diagnostics work hand-in-hand with IoT to provide immediate insights into vehicle health. These diagnostics tools give end users a clear picture of the EV’s operational status, enabling a proactive approach to maintenance. For instance, real-time diagnostics can assess battery health in real time, delivering accurate data on remaining charge, anticipated range, and charging performance. In scenarios where EVs are used heavily for delivery services, having a precise understanding of range capacity is crucial to efficient route planning and meeting service-level agreements.
Besides this, with real-time diagnostics, minor maintenance can often be handled on-site by trained technicians supporting sustainable fleet operation at scale.
For Indian consumers, the idea of real-time diagnostics systems built into their EVs can be a major factor in overcoming the fear of the unknown. Their concern about EVs not being as reliable as conventional vehicles often stems from the complexity of EV range and the limited availability of charging stations in certain regions. For instance, India has only 12,146 operational public charging stations across the country, which may hinder EV adoption. Real-time diagnostics enhance EV charging infrastructure by continuously monitoring and optimising power distribution thus preventing overloads.
Smart Fleet Solutions: Customised for Business Needs
IoT and real-time diagnostics also open the door for fleet-centric solutions that are tailored to specific business requirements. For instance, Indian e-commerce is expected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27% by 2026, real-time monitoring aids E-commerce companies and fleet operators in providing continuous battery health updates, optimising fuel efficiency, and faster deliveries.
A comprehensive IoT platform can serve as the backbone for a customised fleet management solution, allowing operators to access key performance metrics, track vehicle location, and monitor battery health all from a single, user-friendly interface.
Beyond offering a dashboard for tracking fleet performance, these advanced solutions may also include predictive maintenance tools, which use historical data to identify patterns that indicate an impending issue. This approach can reduce downtime, ensure vehicle safety, and enhance operational efficiency by allowing maintenance to be scheduled during non-peak hours. Some service providers go a step further by offering full-service leases with a comprehensive support package, making it easier for businesses to adopt EVs without the risk of unexpected repair costs.
IoT and Role of Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS)
Despite growing interest in EVs, upfront costs remain a significant barrier for many potential adopters. One emerging solution to this challenge is the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, which separates battery ownership from vehicle ownership. Through this model, customers can lease a battery instead of buying it outright, drastically reducing the initial cost of the EV. For fleet operators, this means they can expand their EV fleet without incurring high upfront expenses, paying instead a monthly rental fee that often includes maintenance and support.
In addition to battery leasing, BaaS solutions also incorporate battery swapping along with leasing, which allows drivers to exchange a depleted battery for a fully charged one at designated swap stations. This model is particularly valuable for businesses that rely on constant mobility, as it eliminates charging downtime and increases operational efficiency. IoT and real time diagnostics can help riders access battery swapping in time. Riders can now also book a battery in advance from the app and then quickly swap their EV’s battery at the swapping station with a fresh, fully charged one.
As EV infrastructure continues to expand in India, IoT-driven diagnostics and BaaS solutions are essential components in overcoming logistical challenges and supporting EVs as a sustainable transportation alternative.
India’s vast middle-class population constitutes 31 percent of the total population and it is expected to reach 60% by 2047, and is known for its price-consciousness.
By integrating IoT technology and real-time diagnostics to offer innovative service models like BaaS, India can create an affordable, high-performance EV ecosystem that meets the needs of end users. IoT brings high connectivity and intelligence to EVs, turning real-time data collection into actionable insights.
