Can Enhanced Automation In EV Sector Drive Greater Sustainability Outcomes?
Change isn't just about cleaner cars; it is also about the smart systems that make their charging and operation efficient
As India pushes toward a greener future, the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is central to its sustainability efforts. However, the rapid increase in EV usage brings new challenges, particularly for the country's power grid. The solution, according to experts, lies not only in the widespread use of EVs but in the development of smarter infrastructure and automation systems that support sustainable energy consumption.
Big metro cities are struggling to get clean air; for that cities are adopting more and more EVs. But this change wasn’t just about cleaner cars; it was also about the smart systems that made their charging and operation efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
“EVs are a key part of sustainability efforts, but the challenge has always been the infrastructure,” explained Ashish Modi, President of Honeywell India. “If everyone comes home and plugs in their EVs at the same time, the power demand skyrockets, especially during the evening peak when there’s no solar energy to supplement. This kind of unmanaged load could have forced costly upgrades to the electrical infrastructure.”
How Does Automation Help?
Instead, the solution lies in automation—smart systems that manage when and how vehicles charge, balancing demand with the available energy supply. Gavin Towler, Chief Scientist at Honeywell, elaborated on this, saying, “What we can do with building management systems is control when the charging happens. You plug in your car, but it doesn’t start charging right away. Instead, the system waits until overnight when there’s less demand and potentially more renewable energy, like wind power.”
These innovations go beyond mere convenience. By optimising charging times, buildings can avoid peak electricity demands, which are often met by expensive and carbon-heavy coal-fired plants or diesel generators. “If you don’t manage it actively, the infrastructure costs to handle that peak load are enormous,” Modi added. “In India, upgrading every building’s electrical infrastructure to accommodate uncontrolled EV charging is simply not feasible.”
Helps India Target Net Zero By 2070
Integrating EV charging with existing building management systems, using tools like their “power manager” to schedule charging throughout the night. This system prevents the massive electricity spikes that would otherwise occur if all vehicles charged simultaneously. By keeping the power grid’s demand stable, this method reduces the need for costly infrastructure upgrades and helps avoid the use of diesel generators, which are both expensive and highly polluting.
“When the peak goes higher, you need bigger transformers, which take time to implement,” Towler said. “In the meantime, people turn to diesel generators, which not only emit more pollutants but are the most expensive way to produce electricity. By using automation and smart control systems, you can keep those emissions down and get a more sustainable outcome.”
For Honeywell's Modi, the combination of EVs and smart charging infrastructure is key to a sustainable energy future. “The whole idea is to manage energy demand without massive infrastructure costs,” he said. “It’s not just about convenience—it’s about making sure that EVs can be integrated into our power grids without creating new environmental problems.”
As India continues its journey toward net zero by 2070, the EV sector plays a pivotal role in reducing emissions. However, the success of this transition depends on more than just the vehicles themselves. As Towler concluded, “You can’t just add a bunch of EVs and expect it to work. Automation and thoughtful management are crucial to getting to a more sustainable outcome.”
The smart charge revolution is underway, and it's not only transforming how cities like New Delhi manage their energy but also showing that sustainable development can be achieved through smarter, more efficient systems. With continued innovation in automation and EV infrastructure, India is set to lead the charge toward a cleaner, greener future.
