The EV Equation

Abhishek Sinha
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Welcome to the EV equation! Electric vehicles are here to stay. But what promise does this transition hold for us, as a society? In our first season, we dive deep into the Indian context, trying to understand how can electric vehicles change the way India moves? We aim to go beyond the headlines and deeper into the story to cover how this transition shapes the social and economic incentives in the coming years. We invite experts to join us in envisioning a just, equitable, and inclusive transition. Get ready for an electrifying ride indeed!

  1. Who in Africa is ready for EVs?

    09/25/2025

    Who in Africa is ready for EVs?

    (Index Link below) In this episode, we discuss the EV readiness indicatorsacross African countries talking about how prepared countries are for an electric mobility transition. We walk through the key indicators of readiness, explore how the methodology was designed, and discuss what the findings reveal about both opportunities and challenges across the continent. About the Energy for Growth Hub: The Energy for Growth Hub is a global think tank advancing data-driven solutions to end energy poverty and build a high-energy climate-resilient future for everyone. Hamna Tariq, is a research associate focusing on advanced nuclear tech, electric vehicle readiness and energy access metrics for global markets. Before graduate school, Hamna was a research junior fellow of nuclear strategy in South Asia for the Stimson Center. Hamna holds a Masters in International Affairs from the School of Public and International Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University and a BA in International Studies from Trinity College. Daniel Johansson is a research associate at the Energy for Growth Hub. He covered projects on investment climates in the U.S. and the EU pertaining to energy and emissions regulation frameworks as well as the startup ecosystem in sub-Saharan Africa. Before graduate school, Daniel played college basketball in Canada and professional basketball in Europe. Daniel holds a Masters in Global Affairs from New York University and a BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto.   Important Links: 2025 Update: Africa EV Readiness and Impact Index ; TableuLink Africa’s EV Future: Five Things to Know Who in Africa Is Ready for EVs? Picture credits - eWaka e-bike (https://www.ewaka.tech/)

    56 min
  2. State of Chihuahua's Roadmap to E-Mobility

    06/16/2025

    State of Chihuahua's Roadmap to E-Mobility

    The episode dives into understanding how subnational governments in Low and middle-income countries pave the way for EV manufacturing. Case in point: The Mexican state of Chihuahua, aPowerhouse in the automotive industry is strategically gearing up for the electric vehicle era. With a long history in automotive manufacturing—representing 35% of its output—Chihuahua's auto-related companies are primarily export-oriented and integral to North America's supply chain. The state already boasts a 64% readiness on the EV index. We chat with Diana Paez, Senior Director of Energy and Mobility at the William Davidson Institute (WDI) at the University of Michigan. Diana leads WDI’s efforts to drive just transitions to sustainable energy solutions and electric mobility in emerging markets. She brings over 18 years of experience in international development, working with partners across government, the private sector, academia, and civil society.  -- About WDI At the William Davidson Institute at the University ofMichigan, unlocking the power of business to provide lasting economic and social prosperity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is in our DNA. We gather the data, develop new models, test concepts and collaborate with partners to find real solutions that lead to new opportunities. This is what we mean by Solving for Business—our calling since the Institute was first founded as an independent nonprofit educational organization in 1992. We believe societies that empower individuals with the tools and skills to excel inbusiness, in turn, generates both economic growth and social freedom—or the agency necessary for people to thrive.   -- Shownotes: Mapping the Climate Tech Ecosystem in Mexico Roadmap to E-Mobility for the state of Chihuahua What EVs Mean for LMICs

    55 min
  3. Balancing Lives and Livelihoods on Electric Motorcycles

    05/15/2025

    Balancing Lives and Livelihoods on Electric Motorcycles

    Road safety isn’t just a public health issue — it’s a gigworker’s daily reality. And can electric vehicles be safer for them? In this episode of The EV Equation, I’m interviewingAriana Childs Graham, director of road safety at Global Health Advocacy incubator (GHAI). We talk about road safety policies governing the lives of app-based motorbike delivery workers across the Global South. Spending over 60 hours a week on the road, these workers face a high risk of crashes — often with little protection, insurance, or recourse. We explore key questions:– How do city infrastructure and policy shape accident rates?– What role do platform incentives and penalties play?– Are electric vehicles improving or worsening safety outcomes? Motorcycle-related fatalities now account for one-third ofglobal road deaths. In places like Indonesia, motorcycles are involved in more than 80% of road fatalities. In Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Vietnam, motorcycles make up over 75% of the motorized fleet. Since 2011, global motorcycle use has surged by 175%, and with that growth, the risks have multiplied.   To address this growing public health issue, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) launched The Motorcycle Safety Imperative: An Action Agenda to Address a Growing Public Health and Safety Crisis The GHAI Road Safety Program is working alongside civil society advocates in Bangladesh, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Mexico, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam to raise awareness about the changing road safety landscape and urging the adoption of sustainable policy solutions to address the rise in motorcycle-related deaths and injuries. Photo by wu yi on Unsplash

    49 min
  4. PREQUEL - State of Gig Workers in India before the EV Transition

    05/06/2025

    PREQUEL - State of Gig Workers in India before the EV Transition

    This episode is a prequel to understanding the state of platform delivery workers in India before the electric transition kicks in. I’m interviewing Raskhita Swamy, founder of SocialAccountability Form for Action and Research (SAFAR), who advocates for better working environments for platform workers. As has been the theme of the show, we dive deeper into understanding the various variables of the Electric Vehicle transition in the country. One of the biggest uptakes of EVs has been by platform and delivery workers in India and globally. But as digital platforms and governments start accelerating the pace on EVs amongst gig workers – it becomes imperative to understand their welfare and economic well-being. And the numbers don’t look so good. This is for India –   Cab Drivers (Click for the source here and also, more links in the show notes below): 99.3% report Physical Health Issues and 98.5% report Mental health issues 40.7% don’t take a single day off in a week and 60% drivers drive over 12hrs/day   Delivery Workers 85.9% of delivery workers find 10-minute instant deliveryunacceptable 87% of delivery persons face ID Blocking 91% are full time workers and 75% are working over 10 hours/day  --   Shownotes: 1. Poetry “Thakur ka Kuan” explainer in English 2. Disproportionate burden on gig workers to go electric a. Paper by Koan Advisory b. Podcast Interview by Abhi 3. How electric vehicles are helping gig delivery riders 4.  Delhi govt’s newest push toward EVs burdens intermediaries & gig workers. Learn from China 5.  Google Drive Link: With all resources and research papers   Image Credit: @safvan_cholakkan

    59 min
  5. Is Kenya's workforce ready for the EV Transition?

    04/03/2025

    Is Kenya's workforce ready for the EV Transition?

    How is Kenya planning to build it’s talent pipeline to meetthe EV revolution unfolding on it’s streets? This implores us to look at 1) Reskilling and Upskilling ourexisting workforce and 2) Preparing the coming generations of young talent to take up roles in the EV Industry. In this episode, I chat with Pius Wathome, from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), who is working on this very challenge of workforce readiness in the country. Pius has a bachelors in Power Mechanics Technology and is a certified Technical and Vocational Education Trainer (TVET). His work comprises stakeholder engagement, training needs assessment, e-mobility curriculum development, training the trainers, and curriculum piloting in Kenyan TVET institutions. --- Shownotes: Promoting electric mobility in Kenya Follow Pius on LinkedIn for opportunities in the sector  TVET-University Integration Model in Kenya  Job opportunities for Africa's Electric Mobility enthusiasts⚡️ by following AfreMob Unlocking Africa's Green economy: A Growing Opportunity for Youth

    48 min
  6. Wireless EV Charging: Fantasy or Reality in India?

    04/03/2025

    Wireless EV Charging: Fantasy or Reality in India?

    Wireless EV Charging is becoming a reality from a fantasy. But how will India embrace this new technology? The technology comes with a hefty price tag, infrastructure investments and public-private sector partnerships. As conventional plug-in charging systems present significant land-use challenges combined with lengthy charging times and operational inefficiencies, how can Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Systems (WEVCS) offer innovative solutions to these limitations? WEVCS are of two types – static and dynamic; please check out the video links in the shownotes below to better understand both systems. In this episode, I am talking to Akhilesh Mahadevan from OMI Foundation. Akhilesh is an engineer-turned-policy practitioner, and his work includes action-oriented research and designing policy interventions to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and clean energy solutions in Kerala and beyond. Our conversation centers around understanding the technology, pros and cons of it – and more importantly, Akhilesh makes a case for getting pilots of this technology in India early on by involving the public sector in the initial stages. ---- About OMI: OMI Foundation Trust is a policy research and social innovation think tank operating at the intersection of mobility innovation, governance, and public good. ---- Shownotes:   Brief: Unplugging barriers to wireless EV Charging in India   Videos: How Wireless EV Charging Could Reshape Our Entire Energy System World's First Electric Road: Charging EVs While Driving

    1 hr
  7. Overcoming Systemic Barriers for E-Mobility Startups in Kenya

    03/27/2025

    Overcoming Systemic Barriers for E-Mobility Startups in Kenya

    Startups are synonymous with innovation. They are applauded for taking bold risks, overcoming institutional voids, and disrupting the status quo. But startups face a 99% chance of failure, and some of thereasons com from marketplace barriers. If you are working on a groundbreaking electric motorcycle with significant demand in your city, only to realize at the time of delivery that import tariffs in your natin is around 25% for electric vehicles – what do you do? Either pivot or face failure. P4G, partnerships for green growth and global goals 2030, isone such organization that realizes the challenges for innovative early-stage businesses that are challenging the status quo in Low and Middle Incomecountries (LMICs). And I had the pleasure of hosting Paul Mbole for thisepisode, who elaborates on the systemic barriers that e-mobility startups are facing in Kenya. Paul has 30 plus years of experience in developing multistakeholder partnerships and projects to deliver impactful interventions in climate change, energy access and water/waste management across Africa. Our conversation has plenty of stories from the ground, and we even touch on the topic of de-risking finance for e-mobility startups. --- About P4G: P4G - Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals2030 - contributes to green and inclusive growth in low- and middle-income countries by helping early-stage businesses become investment-ready and supporting country climate transitions in food, water, and energy systems. It provides grants and technical assistance to green growth partnerships, contributes to enabling systems improvements in partner countries, and shares these learnings with P4G countries and beyond. P4G accelerates partnerships in Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia and Vietnam. It is hosted by the World Resources Institute and funded by Denmark, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Korea.     -- Show Notes: P4G’s work in Kenya Case Study: Driving Change - Scaling Kenya’s EV Industry Through Capacity Building and Ecosystem Development 2025 P4G Hanoi Summit: Apr 16-17, 2025 P4G Awards $5.2 Million to 12 New Partnerships to Advance Innovative Climate Solutions EV Startups Are Finally Running Out Of Cash These Tesla Wannabes Are Running Out of Road - Electric-vehicle startups face cash crunch, Journal analysis finds

    1h 15m
  8. Building an Inclusive Rollout for EVs in South Africa

    03/25/2025

    Building an Inclusive Rollout for EVs in South Africa

    South Africa has the highest income inequality in the world. If we introduce EVs in this equation, we could either try closing the gaps in accessibility to mobility OR we could exacerbate the inequality problem. To quote the research paper by our speaker, Gaylor – “historically high levels of inequality and poverty have set the stage for a socially-regressive introduction of EVs.” We take a look at the glass-half-full side of things, andchat about a dual strategy to have an inclusive rollout of EVs in the nation. The episode is segmented into two parts – private and public transport. Gaylor Montmasson-Clair is a Senior Economist at Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), a South Africa-based economic policy research institute. He leads TIPS's work on sustainability and just transition and is the Facilitator for the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM), the industrialization plan for South Africa’s renewable energy and battery storage value chain. He is also a Director and Co-Founder of Southern Transitions, a Global South ‘just transition’ think-tank. In addition, Gaylor is a Research Associate and Guest Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Competition, Regulation and Economic Development (CCRED).  About TIPS: Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS) is an independent, non-profit, economic research institution based in Pretoria, South Africa. It was established in 1996 to support economic policy development, with an emphasis on industrial policy, in South Africa and the region. Currently, TIPS has three main areas of work: trade and industrial policy; inequality and economic inclusion; and sustainable growth. ---  Shownotes:   Research Paper for the episode:  Towards an inclusive rollout of electric vehicles in South Africa TIPS – Just Transition Portal On the high-income inequality in South Africa: 20 countries with the biggest inequality in income distribution worldwide in 2023, based on the Gini index Six Charts Explain South Africa's Inequality - IMF South Africa can’t crack the inequality curse. Why, and what can be done

    1h 1m
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About

Welcome to the EV equation! Electric vehicles are here to stay. But what promise does this transition hold for us, as a society? In our first season, we dive deep into the Indian context, trying to understand how can electric vehicles change the way India moves? We aim to go beyond the headlines and deeper into the story to cover how this transition shapes the social and economic incentives in the coming years. We invite experts to join us in envisioning a just, equitable, and inclusive transition. Get ready for an electrifying ride indeed!

Information

  • Creator
    Abhishek Sinha
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Abhishek Sinha
  • Show Website
    The EV Equation