SE01 E02 Turning EVs into virtual power plants | with Arun Anand

When Arun Anand bought his first electric vehicle ten years ago, he saw a critical problem nobody was solving: the grid couldn't handle millions of EVs charging simultaneously during peak hours. So he built Electric Miles, a software platform that makes charging more reliable, cheaper, and grid-friendly across five countries.In this conversation with Mark Francis, Arun reveals how Electric Miles went from consumer frustration to managing 17,000 users globally, why his lean team handles bus depots across India and Ethiopia, and why he prioritizes building perfect products over aggressive marketing spend. From turning Delhi's air quality crisis into a business opportunity to partnering with National Grid, Arun explains why solving climate change requires thinking in decades, not quarters.Key insights from this episode:Say yes first, figure out how later—jumping into opportunities without all the answers unlocked expansion across multiple continentsProduct quality trumps marketing spend—solving core problems creates organic growth rather than expensive campaignsThe painkiller versus vitamin principle—selling solutions to people with urgent problems converts faster than those without immediate painAI plus expert equals trust—large language models need skilled professionals verifying outputs to maintain credibilityCulture reveals itself under pressure—how teams respond when products fail determines customer service ratingsNetwork equals net worth—building genuine relationships matters more than individual financial metricsThe middle is hardest—the period when nothing works and hope fades separates successful founders from those who quitThe biggest opportunity ahead is battery storage orchestration. Arun envisions homes with solar panels, battery storage, and EVs becoming self-sustaining, earning money by selling excess energy back to the grid during peak times. Electric Miles will orchestrate this ecosystem, optimizing every kilowatt for maximum savings and minimal grid strain.Connect with Arun Anand:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arunanandemElectric Miles: https://electricmiles.comI hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly.– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast teamConnect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/Visit The Uspire Partnership website here: https://theuspirepartnership.comPreview Mark's book here: https://www.book2look.com/book/5PLGQaM16KListen to Who's Your Captain on the following Platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/097OvlL7btd8f7bplgIfv0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-your-captain/id1875226706Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c6109160-6448-4d95-9850-07456d5adbca/who's-your-captain#WhosYourCaptain #MarkFrancis #LeadershipPodcast #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessLeadership #Mentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TransformationalLeadership #BusinessGrowth #ExecutiveThinking #Leadership Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.