AdaptCharge’s CEO Sreenivas Bandi shares off-grid charging as the new innovative solution
22/11/2024
Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer the cars of tomorrow; they are the cars of today. Yet, despite their growing popularity, challenges in EV charging infrastructure continue to inhibit widespread adoption. Sreenivas Bandi, CEO and founder of AdaptCharge, is on a mission to address these challenges with innovative, off-grid, portable, and mobile EV charging solutions.
Following his presentation at the UK Charging Infrastructure Symposium, titled "Charging EVs anywhere, anytime: off-grid, portable, and mobile EV chargers", Sreenivas shares his company’s journey, mission, and vision for the future.
The genesis of AdaptCharge
AdaptCharge was born out of necessity. Sreenivas recounted a personal experience that catalysed the idea: "Last year, I was planning a Euro trip with my first EV, and I was worried about being stranded due to inadequate charging infrastructure. I thought, what if there was a portable solution to extend the range of EVs? I searched the market and found nothing."
This “range anxiety,” particularly closer to the destination of a journey, struck a chord with other EV drivers. Sreenivas and his team began exploring the market gap, and AdaptCharge emerged as a solution. Initially conceived as a “range extender” to provide an additional 10 to 30 miles, the concept has since evolved into a broader vision of making EV charging accessible and convenient for everyone.
Addressing critical challenges
One of the most pressing issues is the lack of accessible charging infrastructure for residents without private parking. Sreenivas explained: "Around 40% of UK households live in apartments or homes without dedicated parking. For them, owning an EV often means traveling to a public charger, leaving the car for hours, and then returning to collect it—a major inconvenience. This is a key reason many potential EV buyers are hesitant."
AdaptCharge’s vision is simple yet transformative: bring the charger to the car, regardless of its location. This approach eliminates barriers for those living in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), on-street parking houses, old houses with outdated wiring, or remote areas.
Portable and mobile charging solutions
AdaptCharge’s innovative solutions include portable chargers and mobile charging services. "The portable charger," Sreenivas said, "provides enough energy to cover an additional 20–30 miles. It’s ideal for those moments when you’re almost home but unsure if you’ll make it without stopping to charge."
The mobile charging service operates on a delivery model. Sreenivas described it as the “Uber Eats or Deliveroo” of EV charging: "We deliver the charge to you, whether you're at home, at work, or on the road. Users can subscribe to the service or request it on an ad hoc basis. It’s about making charging as convenient as ordering food online." This approach not only addresses residential needs but also has significant implications for commercial fleets and taxi drivers, who often face downtime due to charging.
"For fleets, vehicles are typically taken home by drivers overnight. Without home charging facilities, they must return to depots for hours of charging, creating operational inefficiencies. Taxi drivers face similar challenges, often losing business opportunities while charging their vehicles," he explained.
A market-driven solution
Sreenivas is quick to point out that AdaptCharge is not a replacement for existing charging infrastructure but a complementary solution. "The current infrastructure focuses on fixed, grid-connected chargers. While important, they don’t address all scenarios. Our goal is to provide an alternative that fills the gaps, making EVs viable for everyone, no matter their living or working conditions."
He also emphasised the cost barriers associated with traditional rapid chargers, which can be more expensive than running a diesel or petrol car. "I’ve been driving an EV for 18 months and have used rapid chargers only once. At 80p per unit, it’s less economical than a petrol vehicle. For many, this cost is a significant deterrent to EV adoption."
A vision for inclusion
AdaptCharge’s philosophy revolves around inclusivity. Sreenivas explained: "We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live, can experience the benefits of EVs. Whether you’re in an apartment, a communal parking space, or on a hilltop, our solutions aim to make charging accessible and convenient." This inclusivity extends beyond individual consumers to address broader societal needs. Sreenivas believes that a mix of charging solutions, including grid-connected and off-grid options, is essential for accelerating EV adoption.
Overcoming infrastructure lag and preparing for EV transition
The lagging pace of charging infrastructure deployment compared to EV adoption is a concern. "In 2024 alone, over 300,000 EVs were registered in the UK. However, only around 11,000 public chargers were installed during the same period. That’s one charger for every 30 vehicles—a significant disparity," Sreenivas noted.
This gap, coupled with the inconvenience of current charging options, underscores the need for innovative approaches like AdaptCharge. "Our solutions aim to eliminate the disparity and give consumers the confidence to switch to EVs without worrying about accessibility or cost," he added.
With the UK’s target to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035, Sreenivas believes immediate action is needed. "We have just over a decade to transform our transportation fleet. This is not the future—it’s the present. Baby steps must begin now to ensure we meet the target," he said.
AdaptCharge is still in its development phase but has already garnered interest from various stakeholders. "We’re working on integrating with EVs to provide proactive charging solutions. For instance, if your battery drops below a certain level, we can dispatch a charger to you automatically, whether you’re at home or traveling," Sreenivas shared. As EV adoption continues to grow, by addressing critical pain points, such as last-mile range anxiety, inaccessible charging infrastructure, and cost barriers, AdaptCharge is not just solving problems but redefining what EV charging can be.
"We’re not claiming to solve every challenge in EV charging, but we believe our approach—off-grid, portable, and mobile solutions—will accelerate adoption and create a more inclusive EV ecosystem,” says Sreenivas. “Everyone deserves to experience the benefits of EVs, no matter their circumstances."
The genesis of AdaptCharge
AdaptCharge was born out of necessity. Sreenivas recounted a personal experience that catalysed the idea: "Last year, I was planning a Euro trip with my first EV, and I was worried about being stranded due to inadequate charging infrastructure. I thought, what if there was a portable solution to extend the range of EVs? I searched the market and found nothing."
This “range anxiety,” particularly closer to the destination of a journey, struck a chord with other EV drivers. Sreenivas and his team began exploring the market gap, and AdaptCharge emerged as a solution. Initially conceived as a “range extender” to provide an additional 10 to 30 miles, the concept has since evolved into a broader vision of making EV charging accessible and convenient for everyone.
Addressing critical challenges
One of the most pressing issues is the lack of accessible charging infrastructure for residents without private parking. Sreenivas explained: "Around 40% of UK households live in apartments or homes without dedicated parking. For them, owning an EV often means traveling to a public charger, leaving the car for hours, and then returning to collect it—a major inconvenience. This is a key reason many potential EV buyers are hesitant."
AdaptCharge’s vision is simple yet transformative: bring the charger to the car, regardless of its location. This approach eliminates barriers for those living in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), on-street parking houses, old houses with outdated wiring, or remote areas.
Portable and mobile charging solutions
AdaptCharge’s innovative solutions include portable chargers and mobile charging services. "The portable charger," Sreenivas said, "provides enough energy to cover an additional 20–30 miles. It’s ideal for those moments when you’re almost home but unsure if you’ll make it without stopping to charge."
The mobile charging service operates on a delivery model. Sreenivas described it as the “Uber Eats or Deliveroo” of EV charging: "We deliver the charge to you, whether you're at home, at work, or on the road. Users can subscribe to the service or request it on an ad hoc basis. It’s about making charging as convenient as ordering food online." This approach not only addresses residential needs but also has significant implications for commercial fleets and taxi drivers, who often face downtime due to charging.
"For fleets, vehicles are typically taken home by drivers overnight. Without home charging facilities, they must return to depots for hours of charging, creating operational inefficiencies. Taxi drivers face similar challenges, often losing business opportunities while charging their vehicles," he explained.
A market-driven solution
Sreenivas is quick to point out that AdaptCharge is not a replacement for existing charging infrastructure but a complementary solution. "The current infrastructure focuses on fixed, grid-connected chargers. While important, they don’t address all scenarios. Our goal is to provide an alternative that fills the gaps, making EVs viable for everyone, no matter their living or working conditions."
He also emphasised the cost barriers associated with traditional rapid chargers, which can be more expensive than running a diesel or petrol car. "I’ve been driving an EV for 18 months and have used rapid chargers only once. At 80p per unit, it’s less economical than a petrol vehicle. For many, this cost is a significant deterrent to EV adoption."
A vision for inclusion
AdaptCharge’s philosophy revolves around inclusivity. Sreenivas explained: "We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live, can experience the benefits of EVs. Whether you’re in an apartment, a communal parking space, or on a hilltop, our solutions aim to make charging accessible and convenient." This inclusivity extends beyond individual consumers to address broader societal needs. Sreenivas believes that a mix of charging solutions, including grid-connected and off-grid options, is essential for accelerating EV adoption.
Overcoming infrastructure lag and preparing for EV transition
The lagging pace of charging infrastructure deployment compared to EV adoption is a concern. "In 2024 alone, over 300,000 EVs were registered in the UK. However, only around 11,000 public chargers were installed during the same period. That’s one charger for every 30 vehicles—a significant disparity," Sreenivas noted.
This gap, coupled with the inconvenience of current charging options, underscores the need for innovative approaches like AdaptCharge. "Our solutions aim to eliminate the disparity and give consumers the confidence to switch to EVs without worrying about accessibility or cost," he added.
With the UK’s target to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035, Sreenivas believes immediate action is needed. "We have just over a decade to transform our transportation fleet. This is not the future—it’s the present. Baby steps must begin now to ensure we meet the target," he said.
AdaptCharge is still in its development phase but has already garnered interest from various stakeholders. "We’re working on integrating with EVs to provide proactive charging solutions. For instance, if your battery drops below a certain level, we can dispatch a charger to you automatically, whether you’re at home or traveling," Sreenivas shared. As EV adoption continues to grow, by addressing critical pain points, such as last-mile range anxiety, inaccessible charging infrastructure, and cost barriers, AdaptCharge is not just solving problems but redefining what EV charging can be.
"We’re not claiming to solve every challenge in EV charging, but we believe our approach—off-grid, portable, and mobile solutions—will accelerate adoption and create a more inclusive EV ecosystem,” says Sreenivas. “Everyone deserves to experience the benefits of EVs, no matter their circumstances."