As India accelerates its transition towards electric mobility, the conversation is no longer limited to vehicle adoption alone. Increasingly, the spotlight is shifting towards the reliability, safety, and scalability of the charging infrastructure that underpins this transition. In this context, Caliber Interconnect Solutions Pvt. Ltd.’s recent certification from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) marks a significant milestone: one that goes beyond regulatory compliance to signal credibility and readiness for large-scale deployment.
“This certification is a critical validation of our product’s safety, compliance, and readiness for large-scale deployment,” says Mr. Suresh Babu, Founder and CEO, Caliber Interconnect Solutions Pvt. Ltd. It reinforces our position as a credible, indigenous technology provider supporting India’s EV infrastructure growth with a strong focus on quality, reliability, and regulatory alignment.”
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Aligned with IS 17017 standards and harmonized with global benchmarks such as IEC 61851, the certification covers every critical aspect of EV charging, including AC and DC systems, connectors, communication protocols, and comprehensive safety requirements. These standards ensure that chargers meet stringent benchmarks for performance and reliability while safeguarding users against risks, such as electromagnetic interference, electric shocks, fire hazards, overcharging, and short circuits.
What makes the certification particularly relevant in the Indian context is the rigour of its testing process. ARAI evaluates chargers under extreme real-world conditions, including high temperatures, voltage fluctuations, dust, and moisture, ensuring that they remain safe and functional across diverse environments.
“In today’s environment, where safety concerns and reported charging-related incidents have impacted consumer confidence, certification becomes non-negotiable,” Mr. Suresh Babu notes. “It gives users peace of mind that the product has been verified by an independent authority and that safety has not been compromised for cost or speed.”
Beyond safety, the milestone also signals a broader strategic shift. By achieving certification through indigenous development, Caliber underscores its engineering depth and its contribution to building a self-reliant domestic EV ecosystem.
The Real Gap: Intelligence, Not Just Infrastructure
Despite the rapid expansion of EV charging networks across India, the user experience remains inconsistent and often frustrating. While much of the industry’s focus has been on increasing the number of charging stations, Caliber believes the deeper issue lies in the lack of intelligence within the ecosystem.
“The real challenge is not just the shortage of hardware; it is the absence of a connected, intelligent system,” Mr. Suresh Babu explains. “Users struggle with locating available chargers, understanding compatibility, and accessing real-time information about whether a charger is functional.”
This information gap has tangible consequences. EV drivers often face uncertainty around availability, pricing, and wait times, leading to range anxiety and diminished trust in the infrastructure.
To address this, Caliber developed COGENCY, its smart EV charging management platform designed to integrate real-time visibility, predictive maintenance, and seamless interoperability. The platform allows users to locate chargers, check availability, and complete transactions across networks, while enabling operators to monitor and manage infrastructure through a centralized interface. The broader challenge, therefore, lies not just in expanding charging infrastructure, but in addressing the intelligence layer, improving real-time visibility, ensuring network compatibility, and enabling predictive maintenance to deliver a more reliable and seamless user experience.
COGENCY also introduces a frictionless user experience. In addition to mobile app functionality, the platform supports app-free charging through QR codes, allowing users to initiate charging sessions instantly without downloads or logins.
For operators, the platform provides advanced capabilities such as remote diagnostics, over-the-air updates, and AI-driven analytics to identify potential issues before they lead to downtime. This transforms chargers from standalone assets into part of a connected, scalable ecosystem.
From Concept to Certification: Building an Indigenous Portfolio
Caliber’s journey into EV charging began with a clear objective: to develop a comprehensive, indigenous portfolio capable of addressing India’s diverse mobility needs. Over the past two years, the company has built a wide range of solutions, including AC chargers (3.3kW, 7.4kW, 22kW), hybrid systems, and DC fast chargers scaling up to 240kW.
Central to this development was the creation of an in-house smart controller board designed to manage power flow, ensure safe charging, and enable seamless communication between the charger and the vehicle. This was supported by extensive multi-scenario testing to validate performance under different operating conditions.
“We focused on building the core intelligence in-house,” Mr. Suresh Babu explains. “From managing power flow to ensuring safe communication with the vehicle, every aspect was tested across multiple scenarios to identify and resolve potential issues.”
The engineering effort extended to the design and sourcing of all critical components, including PCB boards compliant with IPC 2152 standards, connectors, and wiring systems. Each component was carefully assembled with a focus on insulation, thermal management, and operational safety, while the chargers themselves were housed in IP54-rated enclosures to withstand environmental challenges.
Localization was a key pillar of this strategy. By leveraging domestically sourced components, Caliber was able to reduce manufacturing costs, while contributing to the development of a local EV supply chain.
“Reducing dependence on imports is not just about cost; it is about building long-term capability within the country,” Mr. Suresh Babu says.
Following rigorous validation, the company’s chargers successfully achieved ARAI certification as per IS 17017 standards, covering safety, electrical performance, EMI/EMC, environmental conditions, and communication protocols. Compliance with FAME guidelines further strengthens their readiness for deployment in the Indian market.
Designed for India: Standing apart from imported solutions
In a market where many charging solutions are imported, Caliber’s approach has been to design products specifically for Indian conditions rather than adapting global models.
“Imported chargers often follow international standards but may not fully comply with India’s regulatory requirements or operating conditions,” Mr. Suresh Babu notes. “We designed our chargers ground-up for the Indian market.”
One of the key differentiators is flexibility. Caliber offers extensive customization options, allowing customers to tailor chargers based on power requirements, socket configurations, and user interface preferences. This level of adaptability is particularly valuable in a market as diverse as India’s, where use cases vary widely across residential, commercial, and public deployments.
The chargers also support multiple connector types, including Bharat AC, Type 2, CCS, and industrial sockets, enabling compatibility across a broad spectrum of vehicles.
“India has a mixed EV ecosystem, and interoperability is critical. Our solutions are designed to support that diversity,” he adds.
In addition to technical flexibility, Caliber’s localized supply chain ensures faster service support and reduced downtime, offering a practical advantage over imported alternatives.
COGENCY: The Intelligence Layer enabling Reliability and Scale
At the center of Caliber’s approach to solving the intelligence gap is COGENCY, its integrated EV charging management platform designed to transform how charging networks are operated and experienced.
“COGENCY is not just a software layer; it is what makes the entire ecosystem reliable and scalable,” says Mr. Suresh Babu. “It allows us to move from standalone chargers to a fully connected network.”
The platform enables real-time monitoring of charger availability, operational status, and performance, ensuring higher uptime and faster issue resolution. Through AI-driven analytics and predictive maintenance, potential faults can be identified and addressed before they lead to disruptions.
For users, the platform simplifies the charging experience by offering real-time visibility, transparent pricing, and flexible payment options. One of its key innovations is the app-free charging experience, where users can simply scan a QR code to initiate a session, eliminating friction and improving accessibility.
For operators, COGENCY provides a centralized dashboard to monitor and manage entire charging networks, perform remote diagnostics, and deploy over-the-air updates. Its interoperability, enabled through OCPP 1.6 and 2.0.1, ensures seamless integration with third-party networks, making expansion more efficient.
“Scalability comes from being able to manage multiple chargers, multiple locations, and multiple networks through a single platform,” Mr. Suresh Babu explains. “That’s what COGENCY is designed to deliver.”
By combining intelligence, automation, and interoperability, the platform plays a critical role in ensuring that Caliber’s charging infrastructure is not only deployed at scale, but also operates efficiently and reliably.
Who is Driving Demand and Why
As EV adoption continues to grow, demand for charging infrastructure is being driven by a mix of customer segments, each with distinct requirements.
According to Caliber, public charging operators and fleet operators are currently leading the demand curve. Public charging providers are expanding their networks to support increasing EV adoption, while fleet operators, particularly in logistics, mobility, and e-commerce require reliable, high-speed charging solutions to maximize vehicle utilization.
“For fleet operators, downtime directly impacts business. Reliability and fast charging are non-negotiable,” Mr. Suresh Babu explains.
OEM-linked deployments are also contributing to growth, as automakers increasingly bundle charging solutions with vehicle sales to enhance customer experience. At the same time, residential demand is steadily rising, particularly for low-power AC chargers, driven by growing EV ownership.
Policy support is further accelerating adoption. Regulatory mandates and incentives are encouraging the integration of charging infrastructure in residential complexes, commercial buildings, and urban developments.
“We are also seeing increased participation from utilities and infrastructure players, especially in grid-integrated charging solutions,” Mr. Suresh Babu adds.
The Case for Local: Strengthening India’s EV ecosystem
The push towards indigenous EV charging solutions is not merely a matter of economic preference; it is a strategic necessity for building a resilient and scalable ecosystem.
“Locally built solutions are better suited to Indian grid conditions, climate, and usage patterns,” Mr. Suresh Babu says. “They also enable faster deployment, easier maintenance, and continuous innovation.”
By reducing dependence on imports, domestic manufacturing strengthens the supply chain while creating opportunities for job creation and technological advancement. It also aligns with national initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
At Caliber, EV charging is part of a broader clean-energy vision. The company’s portfolio includes solar inverters and pump controllers, enabling integrated solutions such as solar-powered EV charging. This approach reflects a broader shift towards integrating EV charging infrastructure with renewable energy and intelligent systems to create a more efficient and sustainable ecosystem.
Looking Ahead: Scaling for the Next Phase
Over the next three to five years, Caliber is focused on expanding its capabilities and positioning itself as a comprehensive EV infrastructure and energy management provider.
“Our priorities include high-power DC fast charging, deeper AI integration within the COGENCY platform, and renewable energy integration,” Mr. Suresh Babu says. These initiatives are aimed at improving efficiency, reducing operational costs, and enabling large-scale deployment.
The company is also preparing for international markets by aligning its products with global standards while continuing to strengthen its presence in India.
“This is a long-term play. We are building solutions not just for current demand but for the next phase of mobility,” he concludes.
From Infrastructure to Ecosystem Leadership
In a market still grappling with trust deficits, fragmented networks, and uneven user experiences, Caliber Interconnects is positioning itself as more than just a hardware provider. Its ARAI certification highlights a commitment to safety and compliance, while its broader strategy reflects a deeper understanding of the ecosystem’s evolving needs.
By combining indigenously developed hardware with an intelligent software platform, the company is addressing both the physical and digital gaps in EV infrastructure. Its focus on localization, interoperability, and clean-energy integration further strengthens its role in shaping a more self-reliant and sustainable ecosystem.
As India’s EV transition enters its next phase, the emphasis will increasingly shift towards solutions that are not just available, but dependable, connected, and scalable. In that landscape, companies that can deliver across all these dimensions will define the future, and Caliber Interconnects is steadily building towards that role.
