EV With Saurabh

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  • Offline Chargers on Your EV App? Here’s What Might Be Happening

    I was browsing some public charging stations nearby and decided to install a few apps to see how they were progressing.

    Given that I work in the same domain, I wasn’t too surprised by the features they offered. However, I did notice that some apps were trying to do so many things at once that they weren’t able to perfect any single feature.

    One particular observation stood out. On the homepage of one app, they displayed a map view of charging stations along with individual charger cards. This is a fairly standard design, similar to how Google Maps displays restaurant or café details. But the issue? The first few charger cards displayed were offline.

    That’s where the product guy inside me had to pause.

    Why would I, as a product manager, prioritize showing so many offline chargers upfront when there were online, active chargers available within a reasonable distance?

    If I were designing this, I’d probably give more weight to showing available chargers, even if they were slightly farther away. A notification like “The nearest online charger is here” or a small message indicating that “The closest charger is currently offline” would make more sense. But flooding the landing screen with offline chargers? That’s not a great user experience.

    As I explored further, I noticed that many of the offline chargers had been inactive for a long time. This suggests that either the system wasn’t receiving a heartbeat signal (which is common in OCPP-based setups), or someone had deliberately set them offline.

    A potential reason for this could be vendors trying to bypass commissions. Many local operators do this—they mark chargers offline in the app while still allowing customers to charge at a fixed rate.

    Since most chargers are whitelabeled and can be easily reconfigured, vendors often switch them to a plug-and-charge model instead of remote-start via the app. This effectively cuts out the eMSPs (electric mobility service providers) or CPOs (charge point operators), turning the charger into a basic standalone unit.

    The challenges in this space are plenty, and I found myself thinking about all the different issues at play before diving back into my own work (which, for now, remains confidential… hehe). But I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you used any EV charging apps in India? What has your experience been like?

  • Charging Your EV at Home? Here’s How to Cut Costs

    Charging Your EV at Home? Here’s How to Cut Costs

    While working with different utilities, I’ve started noticing a clear pattern in the rate plans that utilities set for power and gas usage. The two most common structures are either a flat rate or a time-of-use (ToU) rate.

    A flat rate remains constant but sometimes changes seasonally, meaning you might have a different rate for summer and winter.

    On the other hand, ToU rates are based on when you consume energy, making your billing dependent on specific time slots throughout the day.

    Utilities provide these details on their websites, but many customers don’t actively explore their options.

    I want to take a moment to talk about this because I see so many people unaware of the choices available to them. If you charge your EV at home, there could be rebates and incentives that help lower your costs.

    These are often listed on your utility’s website, but if you don’t see them, don’t hesitate to call. The utility companies are supposed to provide this information, and they will if you ask.

    Lately, I’ve noticed an increasing trend where utilities offer special rates for EV charging. Some states even require users to have a separate meter for EV charging to track usage efficiently.

    This opens up opportunities to take advantage of lower, EV-specific ToU rates, which could significantly cut down on charging costs.

    I also encourage you to look at your own charging habits. If you plug in your EV overnight, does it really need that much charging? Maybe you can schedule it to charge only during off-peak hours. But what are the off-peak hours in your area? That’s something your utility provider can tell you, and it’s worth checking.

    At the end of the day, being informed about your rate plan and energy consumption can save you money and help optimize the use of resources.

    Smart energy use benefits not just your wallet but also the overall grid and sustainability efforts. I always tell people—make conscious choices and use energy wisely.

  • Building the Future of EV Charging: Collaboration, Delays, and Lessons Learned

    Working on a project to deploy a marketplace for EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) has been an eye-opening experience. The technical and operational aspects are complex, but an unexpected challenge has been navigating the dynamics of client meetings.

    During requirement gathering sessions, I often find that a significant portion of the meeting time – sometimes up to 60% – is spent on internal discussions within the client’s team.

    Sometimes conversations go in different directions, the same points come up repeatedly, or progress feels slow, making it hard to stick to the agenda. Handling these situations takes patience, as gently guiding the discussion back on track is important for keeping a good working relationship.

    This has been a great lesson in resilience, and I truly commend my seniors who have encountered and handled such situations with experience and patience.

    On the flip side, I hold my own team to a high standard. If someone on our side comes unprepared for a call, I find it frustrating.

    Internally, we can address it, improve, and set expectations—but in front of the client, maintaining professionalism is crucial.

    This project is massive, with multiple teams from my company involved. Naturally, that brings another challenge: dependencies.

    What happens if a delay from another team impacts my timeline? Would I be held responsible, or should I escalate it? Do I call it out, or take a collaborative approach and manage the outcomes as they unfold? These are the questions I find myself pondering as we move forward.

    Despite these challenges, I remind myself why we’re doing this. We are building something transformative—reshaping how the world experiences EV charging, one step at a time.

    The complexities, the frustrations, the problem-solving—they are all part of creating something impactful.

    It’s Sunday today, a good time to reflect and write. There’s more to share, so stay connected.

    Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com

  • Solving One EV Charging Problem at a Time

    Picture this: I’m driving my EV with just 20 miles of range left, and there are three charging stations within that distance. I decide to stop at the second one, assuming it’s the best choice. But when I get there, it’s fully occupied.

    Now I have two choices – wait 30-40 minutes for a charger to free up or try another station. But what if the nearest alternative requires a 2-mile detour? What if it’s also occupied?

    Suddenly, the risk of being stranded becomes real.

    As a product team working on EV charging solutions, we tackle these real-world scenarios daily. I obsess over edge cases like these to ensure users don’t find themselves in situations where their best option is just a gamble. Small, logical decisions in our platform can help prevent such headaches.

    When discussing charging infrastructure, two key elements come to mind—OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) and OCPI (Open Charge Point Interface). These standards ensure that different charging networks communicate effectively, preventing fragmentation in the ecosystem.

    We work to ensure interoperability so that no matter which network an EV driver relies on, they can get real-time data on charger availability and make informed decisions.

    Now, you might be thinking—why not just allow drivers to schedule a charging session in advance? Good idea, but not without complications.

    Would a different charging network allow a user to block a station without prepayment?

    What happens if the driver finds another charger and doesn’t show up? Do they get a refund?

    These questions make product management in the EV space both fascinating and challenging. Every solution I implement needs to balance user convenience, network efficiency, and business viability.

    At the end of the day, solving just one small problem each day can have a big impact on EV adoption.

    Whether it’s optimizing real-time charger availability data, reducing wait times, or improving route planning, my goal remains the same – ensuring that EV drivers never have to experience range anxiety.

    Welcome to the world of product management in EV charging, where every decision is a mix of logic, strategy, and user empathy!

  • A Day in Meetings: Presenting, Learning, and Growing

    Today was one of those days that I truly enjoy—presenting our product roadmap to C-suite executives and senior stakeholders.

    I know many of my teammates tend to shy away from such opportunities, but for me, it’s an exciting chance to gain direct insights from industry leaders.

    By the way, here’s a peek into my workspace. Cool, right?

    There’s something incredibly valuable about hearing their perspectives, gathering feedback, and understanding how our work aligns with the bigger picture.

    Our presentation covered recent developments, ongoing work, and a demonstration of some of the latest updates.

    One of the highlights of today’s discussion was an enhancement we made to a key feature. Mehul, our Chief Innovation Officer, provided some insightful feedback on how we handle a certain aspect of the functionality.

    He suggested a more flexible approach, which is something we will be incorporating in the coming weeks.

    Additionally, we received a few design improvement suggestions that will help refine the user experience further.

    What I love most about these meetings is the exposure they provide. Being in the industry for just around three years, I’ve had the chance to engage with some of the best minds, learn from their expertise, and continuously refine my approach to product development.

    These interactions help me grow, both professionally and personally.

    One thing I did miss today was the presence of Deepak, our CEO. His energy is always a game-changer on these calls.

    He has this unique ability to break down complex ideas with precision while keeping everyone motivated.

    His attention to detail and insightful suggestions always elevate our discussions, and his presence was definitely missed.

    Overall, it was a great session, filled with valuable takeaways and constructive feedback. Looking forward to incorporating these insights and making our product even better!

  • Insights into Installing EV Chargers in Ontario

    Insights into Installing EV Chargers in Ontario

    While I was working on a project recently, my research led me to some interesting information about installing an EV charger at home in Ontario—something I thought would be great to share, especially since many of us are getting more interested in electric vehicles.

    So here’s the deal:

    In Ontario, before you can install an EV charger at your place, you need an Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) permit. Now, why does this matter?

    It’s all about ensuring that your installation is up to mark with safety standards, which is really important to avoid any electrical issues.

    Here’s how it works:

    First, your Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) needs to file a Notification of Work with the ESA. This is basically them letting the authorities know they’re about to start the installation.

    After the setup is complete, an ESA inspector will come over to check everything out. If they give the thumbs up, you’ll receive a certificate of inspection, confirming that your installation is safe and sound.

    I don’t live in Ontario, nor do I own an EV myself, but I found this information quite essential during my work on the product side of things.

    It’s one of those key details that can make a big difference in how safely and effectively you can use your EV charger at home.

    Whether you’re already an EV owner or just thinking about becoming one, understanding the need for an ESA permit can really help make the installation process smoother and safer.

    Hopefully, this bit of info helps you out if you’re looking into getting an EV charger installed in Ontario!

    Photo by Ed Harvey on Pexels.com

  • My First Blog Post

    saurabh

    Welcome to EV with Saurabh! This blog is dedicated to exploring the fascinating world of electric vehicles (EVs) and sustainable energy solutions.

    Here, I’ll share insights, tips, and discussions about the latest trends in e-mobility. My goal is to make complex topics easy to understand and relatable for everyone interested in this exciting field.

    You can expect posts on a variety of subjects, including how electric vehicles work, the benefits of adopting EVs, and maybe a few restaurant pics once in a while…

    These systems play a crucial role in ensuring that our energy supply aligns with renewable sources, making our transition to clean energy smoother and more efficient.

    I invite you to join me on this journey as we explore how electric vehicles can shape a sustainable future. Whether you’re an EV enthusiast or just curious about the topic, there’s something here for you. Let’s learn together and discover how we can contribute to a greener tomorrow!