Pritesh Kumar brought numerous innovative concepts to the auto industry, drawing on his two decades of experience, including significant tenures at Mahindra & Mahindra and Nissan Motor India. He served at M&M for almost ten years until 2014, then joined Nissan, and later returned to M&M. During his return, he held the position of Head of Fleet & New Age Business for close to seven years.
Pritesh Kumar, who served as Director of Business Development at the electric vehicle charging network provider Charge Zone, passed away on Friday, December 13, reportedly due to a sudden cardiac arrest. Only three days earlier, Kumar had been an active participant at an EV Conclave, where he engaged with industry peers and shared his forward-looking perspectives on the evolving automotive landscape. News of his unexpected death has left colleagues, friends, and longtime associates in a state of shock and disbelief, as many had witnessed him recently contributing his vast expertise at the industry event.
Kumar’s career spanned more than two decades in the automotive sector, during which time he developed a reputation for pioneering innovative business strategies and nurturing brand growth. His professional journey included significant tenures at leading automobile manufacturers such as Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and Nissan Motor India. He dedicated nearly a decade to M&M before departing in 2014 to join Nissan, and after building on his experiences there, he returned to M&M in a senior capacity, spearheading Fleet and New Age Business divisions for close to seven years. This period allowed him to deepen his understanding of mobility solutions and the importance of adapting to changing market dynamics.
In October 2024, Kumar transitioned to Charge Zone, where he took on critical responsibilities for both B2B and B2C operations. His work at the company involved devising strategic initiatives that optimized the use of its EV charging network through targeted marketing efforts, customer relationship management campaigns, and a particular emphasis on scaling Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) solutions. Under his stewardship, the company sought to broaden its reach, enhance customer satisfaction, and accelerate the adoption of electric mobility infrastructure.
A well-educated professional, Kumar possessed an MBA in Marketing from ICFAI Business School and held a Bachelor of Engineering degree from BIET, Davangere. Throughout his career, he coupled technical knowledge with strong leadership skills, playing a formative role in shaping strategies that aligned with the rapid transition toward sustainable, eco-friendly transportation. As the industry mourns his loss, many remember Kumar not only for his professional accomplishments but also for the insightful vision and mentorship he brought to those who worked alongside him.
