Hyderabad City startup innovates smart chargers for EVs

Hyderabad: Cellerite Systems is a deep tech startup focusing on developing technologies for battery charging. It is fostering innovative charging solutions in electric vehicles, UAVs, industrial equipment and robotics.

Its founder Srujana Raghupatruni, an M Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi, started the startup where she is responsible for overseeing the development of new technologies for battery charging and assessing their potential to become new products or services. She has served as the Secretary of PES/IAS/PELS Jt. Chapter of Hyderabad Section and champions the cause of clean mobility and electrical safety.

"On one fine visit to my hometown, I could feel the deterioration in the air quality. After a while, I could also sense the increased traffic congestion in most parts of the city. With everything remaining almost the same, vehicular pollution has reached an alarming level and has been a cause for concern, while electric vehicles seemed a good solution with improved power scenario (lesser power outages, electricity reaching the last mile).

However, the adoption of EVs has been slow. While cost has been a major deterrent, it is reaching inflection point with the battery prices coming down. But long charging time has been discouraging along with a limited range of travel.

The charging needs to be specific to Indian conditions and are not being met. Some of my earlier work as a researcher on battery energy storage and electric vehicles provided the needed expertise. It is with these experiences and to meet the dire need of tackle environmental issues, I started Cellerite Systems in April 2018," shared Srujana Raghupatruni.

"The first version of our fast charger is being manufactured in Hyderabad and, currently, we are taking orders from EV OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and battery manufacturers. We are looking to tie up with electric two-wheeler and three-wheeler OEMs with a buyer-to-buyer sales strategy. We are striving to be a stock listed company (SME board) by 2024. We are also working to fuel EVs and meet aspirations for a better tomorrow," she elaborates.

Their first product is in manufacturing and, at present, they have around 6-7 OEM that have partnered with them for portable, fast chargers. They have also tied up with a few batteries and battery management system (BMS) manufacturers for their second product, which is a smart charger. They are presently in talks to pilot their wireless chargers with shared mobility companies and their street charger product is in the process of being patented.