Invenco by GVR launches the R.O.O.F. Podcast

From charge point to pay point, the transition to EV is underway. It’s uneven. It’s fragmented. The market is pre-convergence. How are you positioning yourself for the transition? The Running Out of Fuel (R.O.O.F.) podcast is asking these questions to get to the heart of an industry that changes so quickly, if you’re not ahead of the curve, you’re behind it.

On the latest episode, host Ilia Matiunin speaks with Om Shankar, Vice President and General Manager of Global eMobility for Gilbarco Veeder-Root (plus CEO and Co-Founder of Juxta). They delve into the dynamic landscape of alternative fuels, discussing how they are reshaping the industry from technology and infrastructure to user experience and market trends.

Demand for cleaner, more sustainable transportation is on the rise, and with it the demand for sustainable alternative fuels – with a move toward hydrogen-powered vehicles in the heavy-duty sector, and electric vehicles (EVs) for personal transportation. Indeed, Shankar sees EVs as “a critical enabler towards this holistic, decarbonized future we all aspire to have.”

Shankar and Matiunin delve into the catalysts propelling the adoption of EVs, including some of the biggest barriers to adoption.

“We’re seeing Chinese OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) make their massive push towards the European market right now,” says Shankar. “We’re seeing a reduction in battery prices, and a push towards alternate battery chemistry from lithium ion towards, hopefully, solid state in the future. That’ll reduce charging times, get rid of the range anxiety.”

These indicators suggest that the biggest barrier to adoption remains availability of the necessary infrastructure. “How do we proliferate EV charging infrastructure around the world, such that charging becomes as ubiquitous as filing up your ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle?” Shankar’s passion is palpable throughout the episode, with a drive to help the industry and consumers on that infrastructure journey.

The conversation explores integrating EV infrastructure into existing ecosystems and the potential impact of autonomous stores in revolutionizing convenience retail. Of emphasis is the significance of holistic innovation and ecosystem integration to drive meaningful change.

“When you talk about innovation or the evolution of things, it doesn’t happen in a silo,” says Matiunin. “In 2024, everything is so connected. You need to bring the whole ecosystem with you. It’s hard to innovate on your own [outside of] the broader ecosystem.”

However, despite huge uptake from consumers and continued regulatory pressure, common standards on eMobility service are still a massive gap. Shankar believes this to be a major call-to-action for “full-service” suppliers like Gilbarco Veeder-Root:

“I look straight at us. Gilbarco-Veeder Root played such a massive role in standardising the fuel retail industry — from a safety perspective, from a technology perspective… we have this call-to-action to make [standardisation on EV charging and payment] happen for this industry.”

Shankar continues by discussing the downsides of a disparate tech stack contrasted with the advantages of singular value chain ownership. “The ability to control each piece and create a much more harmonious and homogenized value chain and technological proposition [cannot be overstated].” While Shankar notes Tesla and Gilbarco Veeder-Root as examples of value chain owners who can provide added value, mergers and acquisitions (particularly in the North American market) also highlight this trend as a strategic shift in the market.

Matiunin and Shankar also discuss the forecourt of the future, how “tech push versus market pull” is affecting payment, the future of autonomous retail, and so much more.

Don't miss out on this insightful discussion shaping the future of transportation! Listen now on YouTube or Spotify.

The R.O.O.F. Podcast: where big questions meet bold answers on fuel and convenience retail. The podcast features experts from across the industry and explores the core of the industry's challenges, trends, and triumphs. Join the conversation on YouTube and Spotify.