True leaders are visionaries. They see beyond the near future and dare to imagine what others cannot. They are unafraid of walking paths that seem lonely, unconventional, or even eccentric. Where most retreat to avoid judgment, true leaders stand firm in their ideas.
Naysayers and doubts don’t stop them. Instead of clinging to safe, familiar choices for the sake of reputation, they explore the unknown. They welcome bold, untested solutions because they know that real progress is born in the space beyond what is considered “normal” or “traditional.”
For them, incremental improvements and copycat strategies are not enough. They aim to build what changes the world. By painting a picture of what’s possible, they inspire others to dream bigger, imagine freely, and take action. They know that addressing doubts and breaking false beliefs is just as important as building technology itself.
Above all, they understand that mindset is as critical as strategy. They work on the inner shift as much as the outer execution—a principle that defines Awadhesh Kumar Jha‘s journey and explains his extraordinary impact on the clean energy industry, EV promoters, and student communities. His enthusiasm and positive energy—expressed through visionary language, persuasive emotional appeal, and powerful storytelling—position him as a charismatic influencer and respected thought leader in the industry.
He brings practical, solutions-focused leadership to the electric mobility space. With experience across both the public and private sectors, he understands the importance of accountability, innovation, and delivering results. He has worked on transformative projects and led teams that achieved several of India’s first milestones. A strong advocate for sustainability, he envisions a planet that works not just for us today, but for future generations—built on safe communities, reliable transport, and sustainable growth.
And that is exactly what we explore in the latest episode of Podcast – Watts the Vision, presented by Priyadarshi Singh.

What’s inside this episode?

Awadhesh Kumar Jha, Executive Director of GLIDA (formerly Fortum Charge & Drive India), takes us on a tour of India’s EV future—from invisible wireless charging to highway “Dhaba-Verse” hubs—while showing why reliability matters more than raw charger counts.

You’ll learn about:

• Invisible charging: wireless pads, static and on-the-move—no QR codes, no cables.
• VIN = Wallet: seamless app-free payments, like UPI but for vehicles.
• Dhaba-Verse hubs: solar canopies, clean restrooms, co-working pods along highways.
• National EV Charging Code: India’s “TRAI moment” for open standards and policy unity.
• Grid myth vs. math: why EVs don’t “crash” the grid—local peak mismanagement does.
• Reliability over numbers: uptime and kWh delivered matter more than “no. of chargers.”
• Pricing truth: tariffs ≠ petrol pricing; why idle fees after 80% SOC are needed.
• Make-in-India with quality: practical design details like cable weight, connector height, and cable management.

Why this episode is special:

• It’s new – wireless charging pods, VIN-wallet, Dhaba-Verse.
• It’s useful – myths busted with real numbers you can quote.
• It’s spicy – free curbside charging in India? Think again.
• It’s hopeful – a credible roadmap to convenient, reliable charging.

 

About the Host – Priyadarshi Singh

A seasoned clean-mobility strategist and storyteller, Priyadarshi has spent 14 years turning big climate goals into on-the-ground wins. From drafting Delhi’s pioneering EV Policy to scaling bus electrification and advising ministries on net-zero roadmaps, he has worked across government, startups, and global think tanks. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, he brings sharp questions, real-world numbers, and everyday humour to every episode—always chasing ideas that move both people and the planet forward.

About Watt’s the Vision

Watt’s the Vision isn’t just a podcast—it’s India’s time machine into 2047. Each episode drops you into the future with bold, cinematic “India 2047” scenes, myth-busting debates, and contrarian takes from India’s top visionaries—not guests. It’s not a long talk—it’s a movement of ideas shaping India’s ride to net zero. Subscribe to the channel here
To read GLIDA‘s story, click here.