Founded in 2019 by Shubham Mishra and Ajay Vasisth, the company introduced EV Doctor. This game-changing solution improves battery performance, longevity, and safety while addressing key challenges in the global EV market.
BatteryOK Technologies, an Ahmedabad-based startup, transforms battery diagnostics in the electric vehicle (EV) industry with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI). Shubham Mishra, drawing on his experience at Gensol, the parent company of BluSmart cabs, and his master’s degree in energy infrastructure, identified a gap in the market for reliable and efficient battery testing methods. He observed that dealers often relied on rudimentary techniques, such as manually touching battery surfaces to identify faults, which needed to be more accurate and efficient. He founded BatteryOK to harness AI to solve battery diagnostic challenges.
Initially, BatteryOK focused on building e-bikes. However, challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and difficulties in marketing and business development prompted the company to pivot its focus. Under the mentorship of industry experts such as Dr Judith Jeevarajan, a former NASA battery safety head, BatteryOK concentrated on battery technology. They developed algorithms and AI models to create EV Doctor, a portable device intended to provide rapid diagnostics of lithium-ion batteries at various stages of their lifecycle.
EV Doctor replaces bulky, time-consuming testing equipment with a compact 300-gram device. It connects to the battery and charger, completing diagnostics in about 15 minutes. The device measures voltage, current, and time, transmitting this data to cloud-based algorithms that perform fault detection, DC internal resistance computation, and voltage-current profiling. It supports non-CAN and CAN-based batteries up to 100 volts and 100Ah. According to the company, EV Doctor provides accuracy exceeding 96.7% in assessing battery health, safety, performance, and faults.
BatteryOK revised its business model so that EV Doctor could reach a broader market. Initially priced at Rupees 30,000 plus GST, the company introduced a revenue model enabling garages and service centres to acquire the device for Rupees 10,000. Users pay a fee per test, allowing dealers to offer diagnostics to customers while creating a recurring revenue stream for BatteryOK. This approach lowers the barrier to entry for service providers and promotes wider adoption of battery diagnostic tools.
BatteryOK has deployed over 1500 units of EV Doctor and serves more than 1000 clients worldwide, including countries such as South Korea, Mauritius, Mexico, and various regions in Europe. Their clientele includes companies like Jitendra EV, White Carbon, Zypp, Yulu, MG Motors, and JioBP. This global presence highlights the rising demand for reliable battery diagnostics in the expanding EV sector.
The company’s leadership includes co-founder and CTO Ajay Vasisth, who previously worked at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developing missile power systems. The advisory board features Kashi Vishwanathan, who is associated with Tesla India, and Dr Judith Jeevarajan. BatteryOK also receives mentorship from industry figures such as Sanjeev Bikhchandani, founder of Naukri.com, and Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho, providing strategic guidance and industry insights.
BatteryOK has been entirely bootstrapped, with the founders emphasising customer revenue over external funding and reinvesting earnings to fuel growth. This approach reflects their strategy to maintain profitability and focus on long-term value creation. The operational model aligns with a broader trend among startups prioritising sustainable growth over rapid scaling through external investments.
Facing industry challenges, they recognise the need for more stringent testing protocols and increased government support in the EV sector. The company advocates for centralised systems to track battery quality and safety throughout their lifecycle, aiming to address issues such as the prevalence of unreliable testing equipment that can compromise battery diagnostics. They emphasise the importance of standardised practices to ensure safety and reliability in the EV industry.
Looking ahead, the company is developing a universal energy storage ecosystem to democratise battery performance, longevity, and safety. Utilising data from over 200,000 batteries, they aim to enhance performance and longevity, which could have significant implications for battery sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Plans include equipping garages in India to be EV ready and ensuring customers have reliable access to servicing and repairs, a crucial step as the adoption of electric vehicles increases.
