Something more than just plugging in, what happens when IoT enters the scene of EV charging? What challenges are shaping its future? In a conversation with Nidhi Agarwal from EFY, Kailash Chelakkara Subramanian of RIOD delves into real-world issues, solutions, and what makes their chargers stand out.
Q. Your company has a unique name. What is the story behind it?
A. The name RIOD stands for ‘Rugged Internet Of Devices’ (RIOD). We chose this because our main focus is on industrial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions where devices communicate with each other. Instead of ‘things,’ we went with ‘Internet of Devices’ to highlight this connectivity. The term ‘rugged’ reflects the durability needed for industrial environments. Additionally, our ‘RND SQUARE’ represents our expertise in research and development, with ‘square’ symbolising R&D raised to the power of two.
Q. Can you tell me more about what your company offers?
A. We have two main areas of work. The first area focuses on electric vehicle (EV) charging, offering charging solutions for EVs. People and businesses can install these charging stations at homes, offices, or commercial areas, making it easier to charge their vehicles or earn money. The second area is, as I said, the RND SQUARE, where the company helps businesses by designing and developing solutions based on their needs or problems.
Q. What sparked your idea to start a startup?
A. The industry relied on wired processes instead of wireless solutions when we began. In 2017, our birth year, we saw a market shift towards IoT and wireless technology in other countries, highlighting the need for support in this transition. This led us to create an electronic design company to help businesses make their systems wireless. After that, we got incorporated in 2018.
Q. What is the USP of your EV chargers? How is it different from others in the market?
A. You see, our EV chargers stand out by improving communication between the vehicle and the charging station through our expertise in IoT, offering both Wi-Fi and SIM-based communication. While the four-wheeler charging process is primarily standardised, we focus on enhancing the user experience. Our unique selling point (USP) is our emphasis on AC fast chargers, targeting markets such as apartment complexes, commercial hubs like hotels and resorts, and business zones where vehicles are parked for extended periods. These are designed to meet all electrical standards, ensuring safety and seamless operation for both users and establishment owners.
Q. How does IoT play a role in your system?
A. IoT is at the heart of our system, enabling real-time monitoring of key parameters like electricity consumption, voltage levels, and power draw. It also detects fluctuations or errors. The hardware is designed to track these factors, and if an issue arises, it communicates with the cloud platform to notify the user about the charging stop or error. The system incorporates energy meters and electronic protection features, all integrated into a single, compact board. Communication is handled via Wi-Fi or 4G/GSM connections, transmitting data to the server. The microcontroller continuously monitors the system’s performance and readings, ensuring optimal functionality.
Q. What were the challenges you faced while designing such an IoT-based system, and how did you overcome them?
A. One of the main hurdles was field testing. Our team, with expertise in measurement from the power generation sector, developed the board. However, entering the EV charging space brought new obstacles. Let me tell you about our first customer, who was managing a fleet of EV three-wheelers. He needed a charging station. While in-house testing in a controlled environment was stable, remote areas introduced power fluctuations. We designed the system with an extended delta to address this, ensuring seamless operation despite voltage variations.
Q. How is your company unique compared to others providing IoT-enabled EV chargers?
A. All our systems are designed in-house, and that is what is unique. This allows us to handle challenges like communication gaps and market dependencies. We offer our own charging solutions and work with companies that want custom portfolio designs. Meanwhile, many competitors use ready-made solutions, which limits their ability to customise. If a company needs specific changes and large-scale solutions, we can provide the flexibility they need, making us a better choice for businesses looking for tailored options.
Q. What sort of customisation do users ask for?
A. Customers often request customisations for their ecosystem. For example, some companies want an app where employees can log in and locate charging stations across multiple offices, but with access restricted to employees only. To enable this, we have designed a system that verifies users through pre-recorded data on the server, using employee mobile numbers or radio frequency identification (RFID) cards. Employees simply tap their RFID-linked ID to activate the charger.
Q. When you started, how did you handle user access and security?
A. Yes, we developed PIN-based security in our early stages when we entered the EV charging space about four years ago. At that time, we felt an app-based system might be challenging for older users, so we introduced a PIN-based solution similar to ATM PINs for easier access. As the market evolved, we expanded to app-based, RFID, and QR code systems, which are now the standard. With strong mobile data connectivity, especially in India, users have no difficulty downloading and using apps, and scanning a QR code is often more convenient than remembering a PIN.
Q. Coming to the EV chargers, how do you make the charging faster?
A. EV charging speed depends on the vehicle’s power intake and charger rating. Standard home chargers (2.8kW) take 10–12 hours, and it takes longer for larger batteries like the Tata Nexon’s 40kW. Higher-power chargers (7.4kW) cut this to five to six hours. For multi-unit buildings, we optimise power use with shared charging stations in Kolkata and Bengaluru, enabling full charges in four to five hours. Designed for long parking periods, our solutions focus on efficient residential and commercial charging rather than ultra-fast roadside options.
Q. How many charging units have been sold till date, and what is the recorded revenue?
A. We have sold over 1000 units, including our own brand and custom solutions, with total product sales exceeding ₹7.5 million.
Q. What is the vehicle type that your chargers support? All two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers?
A. Yes, our chargers are fully compatible with all types of vehicles. For two- and three-wheelers, we provide separate systems as there isn’t a standardised solution yet. Four-wheelers use the widely accepted ‘Type 2’ for AC charging and CCS 2 for DC charging. At the moment, two- and three-wheeler manufacturers have their own unique systems, but we expect a standard to be introduced in the next three to four months. Until then, a 3-pin portable charger is commonly provided. Additionally, we offer a smart charging system with a 16-amp socket for regular charging. However, fast charging is not yet available for two- and three-wheelers.
Q. Growing fast as a startup, you might be facing challenges as well. What are those?
A. The biggest roadblock is market adoption since the EV sector is still growing. Many businesses and apartment complexes hesitate to set up charging stations unless there is a demand from EV owners, but EV adoption will be slow without proper charging infrastructure. EVs need chargers to grow, but businesses wait for demand. We aim to bridge that gap. We look at areas like business hubs, malls, and residential complexes, where people spend hours and can benefit from charging. Government policies, like mandates for EV charging in 20% of apartment parking, are helping, but faster adoption requires more push from policymakers and market awareness.
Q. Are you looking for new partners or vendors to expand your ecosystem?
A. Definitely. We are expanding our network across India, seeking integrators, electrical contractors, and renewable energy professionals. Since EV charging aligns with the energy sector, businesses installing solar systems often add charging stations to optimise energy use and reduce costs. Our partners help promote and support these solutions in local markets.
Q. What are your future growth plans and investments?
A. Our goal is to become a leading EV charging solutions manufacturer in India, specialising in custom solutions. In the coming years, we aim to expand across all major metropolitan cities and establish a robust infrastructure hub to support this growth.
