Volta Trucks has appointed Dr. Seshu Bhagavathula to its board of directors, who will also act as an advisor to the management team.
Seshu Bhagavathula was previously president of new technologies and business initiatives at India’s second-largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, Ashok Leyland Group.
In this role, he was responsible for product and portfolio planning and converting new technologies including vehicle electrification into new busines initiatives. Prior to his appointment as president, he undertook the role of Ashok Leyland’s CTO with responsibility for the Group-wide R&D of heavy duty, medium duty, and lightweight commercial vehicles, as well as the Group’s electric vehicle projects and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), from level 1 to 4.
Seshu Bhagavathula also previously worked as VP of R&D for China’s Great Wall Motor Company, as well as a number of senior director and managerial roles within research and development for Daimler Trucks and Daimler Chrysler AG.
Dr. Bhagavathula holds a Doctorate in High-frequency technology from the University of Stuttgart in Germany. He has several patents in automotive technology fields and has about 35 technical publications to his credit. He has also guided his previous employers on private equity and other investments in e-mobility related technologies, Volta Trucks said.
Volta Trucks’ chairman of the board and representative of one of the company’s main shareholders, Mr Tomas Bergström, said: “Seshu Bhagavathula will bring an extensive global knowledge of the automotive and commercial vehicle industry to the Board of Directors of Volta Trucks. His in-depth understanding and experience, especially in the field of electrification, will support the Board and help guide the company as it transitions from a start-up to the manufacturer of the first purpose-built full electric large commercial vehicle.”
