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Allianz Partners India: Pioneering Solutions for EV Breakdown Challenges

Innovative Solutions for EV Breakdowns: A Case Study

Authored by : Charu Kaushal, Managing Director, Allianz Partners India

EV penetration in India in FY 2023-24 was at 7%, dominated by three-wheeler segment and two wheelers with passenger cars having a low uptake of only 2%. In order to make the decision to go green easier for all, we need to understand the end consumer’s reasons for delaying this adoption. Through this article, we will explore some of these concerns and how electric vehicle automakers and assistance companies offer innovative approaches to increase electrification.

EVs represent a crucial advancement in sustainable transportation and are poised to become 30% of overall passenger car sales by 2030 in India. With governments worldwide setting ambitious targets and encouraging investments to increase EV adoption, consumers are gradually embracing the idea of clean mobility. Recent market research on consumer needs and mobility trends in India reveals that 51% of people make significant efforts to limit the environmental impact of their lifestyle, 32% are willing to pay more for sustainability, and 58% would consider an electric or hybrid car for their next vehicle.

As of 2023, India has witnessed a significant surge in the adoption of electric vehicles, with over 1.5 million EVs on its roads, including electric two-, three-, and four-wheelers. Projections indicate that this number could skyrocket to 27 million units by 2027, up from an estimated 3 million in 2019. This growth, fuelled by government initiatives like the FAME I and FAME II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) schemes, which provides financial incentives for the purchase of EVs and various other incentives for manufacturers and consumers, paints a promising picture for the future of EVs in India.

Roadblocks To Wider Adoption

With that gear shift, addressing EV breakdowns is increasingly critical to stop potential buyers from being dissuaded by challenges such as unfamiliarity with EV technology, insufficient charging stations, longer charging times, and battery costs. The biggest concern, particularly in India, is range anxiety—the fear or worry about how far an EV can travel on a single charge and what happens if it runs out of charge during a trip. This is a direct result of the limited charging network we have currently. This psychological barrier often deters buyers who perceive EVs as suitable only for city travel because when EVs break down or run out of charge, the fear of being stranded on the road is real. 

Preparing For the Unexpected

For starters, the simple advice here would be to check the State of Charge (SOC) before leaving home as a precautionary measure. EVs today come equipped with state of art technology and multiple alerts on the SOC and all EV owners must pay heed to this. In case the car runs out of charge, EV owners must contact their roadside assistance providers so that they can help restore mobility at the earliest. All EV automakers have tie ups with roadside assistance providers to ensure they provide peace of mind to their customers in case of any breakdown.

At Allianz Partners, we partner with multiple marquee OEMs for providing roadside assistance for EVs. We have developed EV charging units like the Portable Mobile Charger (PMC) or Two-Wheeler Mobile Charger (TMC), these offers on-the-spot recharging for stranded EVs, enough to reach the nearest charging station. This reduces downtime and provides immediate relief, particularly in urban areas where towing is more complex.

Innovative Solutions—Ecosystem approach

Another critical question for breakdown assistance companies and automakers includes how to have a 360 degree approach towards the EV consumer. For instance, Allianz Partners’ EV roadside assistance goes beyond traditional services, offering an ecosystem for EV, comprehensively addressing needs of the customer. This EV ecosystem includes solutions for EV infrastructure to facilitate adoption beyond metropolitan areas. There are EV helplines with trained staff to guide users on the product to further promote adoption of EV, EV Wall Box Charger Services (with installation and maintenance) and there are mobility solutions during repairs, such as replacement cars, mobile chargers, accident and breakdown towing, and on-the-spot repairs by trained staff.

Making the best use of technology, there is also EV trip planning, which maps routes considering charging station locations and vehicle range, real-time charging network integration, and live updates on charging station availability.

Way Forward – Charging for the Future

As Roadside Assistance partners collaborate with leading EV manufacturers to integrate services, you get in-car assistance requests, automated diagnostics, and leveraging EVs' digital connectivity for real-time data exchange, continuous monitoring, diagnostics, and over-the-air updates. Additionally, if EV owners are educated on best practices for maintaining their EVs and managing their charge, they can maximise vehicle efficiency and plan long trips effectively.

Also, the EV charging infrastructure is still developing, presenting a significant challenge and an opportunity for innovation. For instance, renewable energy-powered charging stations align with EVs' sustainability goals because they utilise solar, wind, or other renewable sources to make charging more environmentally friendly.

In conclusion, as India continues to embrace greener mobility options and the adoption of electric vehicles grows, addressing the challenges of EV breakdowns with innovative solutions will be the turning point to enhance the practicality and appeal of EVs and the ownership experience to drive the country closer to its sustainability goals.