Elon Musk’s Starlink Could Drive In Benefits For EVs In India

Elon Musk’s Starlink is finally a player in India’s internet business.

Thanks to the recently inked partnerships with Indian telecom giants Airtel and Jio, Musk’s tech juggernaut of SpaceX-owned Starlink and Tesla are magically aligning to enter India with quite a punch. Starlink is the “world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet”.  

And, it is most useful in remote, underserved and internet-dark areas that are physically impossible or economically suicidal to provide either Fiber or 5G high-speed broadband networks.

With over 4 million active Starlink terminals worldwide, the global leader in satellite broadband is poised to bring high-speed satellite internet to even the remotest corners of India.

We don’t know the purchase and subscription costs for Starlink in India yet but going by what it has in Bhutan, it will likely be priced higher than the usual 5G and Fiber broadband charges in India.

Though, Starlink’s partnerships with Airtel and Jio offer hope that the costs will be competitive.

While the primary focus is on enhancing connectivity, the ripple effects of this partnership could significantly impact India’s electric vehicle ecosystem, influencing electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, navigation, maintenance, and much more.

Revolutionising EV Charging Infrastructure

One of the most immediate impacts of Starlink’s satellite internet services could be on the EV charging network.

Much like the proliferation of long-distance calling or STD phone booths in the 90s to the proliferation of ATM networks in India via VSAT, reliable and high-speed internet is a critical component in the smooth operation of smart EV charging stations, which rely on real-time data for monitoring, billing, and energy management.

In remote internet-dark areas where traditional Fiber or 5G high-speed broadband is unavailable or unviable, Starlink could enable the deployment of charging stations, making EV charging more feasible in rural and semi-urban regions and EV adoption more practical and economical.

An example is the potential for setting up conventional and solar-powered charging stations along highways connecting remote regions, which Tesla has managed to do in the US, connecting Starlink with its Superchargers network.

With Starlink’s connectivity, even remote charging stations can be powered by renewable energy and offer seamless services, including dynamic pricing based on demand and real-time updates on availability.

SpaceX Starlink at Tesla Supercharger. Cool to see Elon Musk’s companies working together. pic.twitter.com/lq4obBrwuZ

— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) November 21, 2023

Enhancing Vehicle Connectivity

Modern EVs need internet connectivity for features like over-the-air or OTA updates, real-time diagnostics, and advanced driver-assistance systems or ADAS in self-driving vehicles.

Starlink’s low-latency, high-speed internet could ensure seamless connectivity for EVs, even in areas with poor network coverage.

Powered by a 12V, 60/100 W car adapter, Starlink’s Mini can enhance the overall user experience and make EVs more appealing to a broader, more adventurous audience.

And yes, EVs, which rely heavily on OTA updates for software improvements and new features, could benefit immensely from Starlink’s promise of robust internet services as service stations in remote areas can now upgrade, diagnose and wherever possible, even fix issues via remote access over high-speed internet.

Starlink’s connectivity could also encourage other EV manufacturers, Charger OEMs, EV ecosystem startups and renewable power companies to adopt similar technologies, fostering innovation in the sector, including the push for autonomous electric vehicles and electric ride-hailing services like Waymo in the US in some limited way in India.

Starlink Mini In Motion Test

– Very portable
– can sit on Dashboard of your car
– you can easily get world class speeds of 100 Mbps anywhere in Zimbabwe while in motion
– this is a game change for innovation, farming, education, development – the sky is the limit pic.twitter.com/70ilBRD8EG

— zimDaily (@ZimDaily) September 8, 2024

Improving Navigation and Fleet Management

Starlink’s satellite internet could revolutionize navigation systems in EVs.

With real-time updates on traffic, weather, and road conditions, drivers can optimize their routes for efficiency and safety.

For fleet operators, Starlink could enable advanced fleet management solutions, including real-time tracking, predictive maintenance, and route optimization, thereby reducing operational costs, improving service quality and boosting the demand for electric vehicles for logistics and goods delivery.

Always-connected mobility will empower fleet operators to do real-time tracking and better logistics management with last-minute route planning based on real-time weather alerts or remote troubleshooting till assistance can reach remote locations.

This will be a big boost for local trade and e-commerce in India too with the chances of more Pin Codes coming under service areas for last-mile order pickups or delivery via smaller EVs.  

Facilitating Remote Maintenance

Starlink’s connectivity could make remote diagnostics and maintenance more effective and allow for setting up smaller service stations even in remote areas.

These remote service stations could be connected with the OEM mothership via Starlink and allow remote troubleshooting and if needed, manual fixing by trained local technicians.

EV manufacturers and service providers could use high-speed internet to monitor vehicle health, predict potential issues, and even perform OTA software fixes remotely.

This could reduce downtime and maintenance costs, making EV ownership more convenient and cost-effective.

For instance, a rural EV owner could have their vehicle’s software updated or a minor issue diagnosed remotely, eliminating the need for a trip to the nearest service centre, which might be miles away.

NEWS: @Starlink being used to remotely operate a 320 Cat excavator from 200 km away in Tomago dig pit, Australia 🇦🇺

(via National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo in Sydney) pic.twitter.com/iXrBSLpjgt

— ALEX (@ajtourville) September 26, 2024

Unseen Opportunities

Beyond the obvious benefits, the Starlink-Airtel-Jio partnership could open up surprising opportunities.

For instance, it could enable the integration of renewable energy sources into the EV ecosystem.

Smart grids powered by satellite internet could manage energy distribution more efficiently, balancing supply and demand in real time.

A case in point is the potential for integrating AC and DC fast EV charging stations with smart grids drawing power from remote solar installations over land or water and hydel plants in remote areas.

These stations could use Starlink’s connectivity to optimize energy usage, provide uninterrupted services to EV charging stations and even offer DC fast charging for fleet operators at competitive costs.

This could also lead to private entrepreneurs setting up solar-powered charging stations in remote locations and benefiting from the extra income.

Additionally, the partnership could spur innovation in EV-related technologies, such as smart charging or autonomous driving, which requires robust and reliable internet connectivity.

Starlink Mini enables high-speed internet on the go 🛰️🚗 https://t.co/0Bx4pMprAb

— Starlink (@Starlink) March 11, 2025

Big Boost for the Farm Sector

Another large sector in India that can potentially make tremendous gains from Starlink’s entry is agriculture and farming.

India is predominantly an agrarian economy with more than half its population engaged in agriculture or related activities.

And India is also the world’s largest tractor market. Mostly diesel-thirsty models that consume over 7% of India’s yearly fuel supply.

It is also the sector heavily reliant on other diesel-powered farm equipment like harvesters, cultivators, sprayers and backhoes that are not only labour-intensive and expensive to run but also a significant contributor to India’s pollution.

Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet can revolutionize India’s farm sector by addressing critical connectivity gaps in rural areas.

With improved internet access, farmers could transition from diesel-powered equipment to smarter electric alternatives, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering operational costs in the long term.

Starlink’s connectivity could also enable the use of real-time data for precision agriculture and farm automation.

Tasks such as soil monitoring, weather forecasting, and automated irrigation systems can then be combined with electric-powered self-driving farm equipment like tractors or harvesters, monitored and operated remotely via a Starlink connection–just like drones.

These advancements could optimise resource usage, increase crop yields, and reduce diesel consumption, all while reducing pollution.

This shift could mark a significant leap towards a greener, more efficient agricultural ecosystem in India.

NEWS: @Starlink is powering John Deere’s Machine Sync and AutoPath during harvest – After 400 hours of hands-free harvesting, the operator says he was so bored that he made this video with awesome soundtrack.

🔊🎶 pic.twitter.com/vPJzRl4rTN

— ALEX (@ajtourville) October 29, 2024

What Next?

While the potential benefits are immense, challenges remain.

The cost of Starlink’s services could be a barrier to widespread adoption, particularly in a price-sensitive market like India.

Regulatory clarity and the need for fair pricing mechanisms are other factors that could influence the pace and scale of impact.

Moreover, the rush to install more EV chargers could also mean deploying diesel-powered generators to power up network-connected EV chargers defeating the very purpose of green mobility.

The environmental impact of deploying and maintaining Starlink’s satellite constellations, including the carbon footprint of rocket launches, is a concern that needs to be addressed too.

Balancing these challenges with the benefits will be crucial for the success of this initiative.

What We Hope

That said, the sum total gains from the Starlink-Airtel-Jio partnership is more than just a step forward for internet connectivity in India; it could be a catalyst in India’s EV evolution.

By enabling reliable, high-speed internet across the country, this collaboration has the potential to address some of the key challenges in India’s EV ecosystem, from charging infrastructure to vehicle connectivity and beyond.

This partnership not only promises to bridge the digital divide but also paves the way for a more connected and sustainable future.

The possibilities are endless, especially in the sustainable development of India, encouraging quicker adoption of green mobility by eliminating range and charge anxiety, replacing diesel with electric-powered farm equipment and empowering farm automation, and the overall impact on India’s EV ecosystem could be transformative.

By Arrangement with GoElec.in