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The Turning Point: From Adversity to Acceleration- Turning Setbacks into a Clean Energy Vision

May 13, 2025
Akshay Kashyap greenfuelenergysolution

Entrepreneurship is often seen as a journey driven by passion, but for me, it was adversity that lit the spark. After working in the U.S. on global CNG vehicle standards, I returned to India to join my family’s distribution business. Within months, that business—built on a U.S. partnership—was abruptly terminated. No safety net. No backup plan. Just a blank slate, a deep sense of urgency and drive to succeed.

That’s when I noticed something shifting—India’s CNG revolution was just beginning. The 2010 Commonwealth Games triggered a demand for cleaner public transport and I saw an opportunity. I had the technical know-how, but no capital, no connections. I bet everything I had—even dipped into my wedding savings—to design CNG solutions for Tata Motors’ new low-floor buses.

I was a one-man-show—supplier, sales guy, technician, even the fitter. We worked in 42°C heat, crawling under buses at Ghazipur’s workshops. But when our systems outperformed all others, it validated what I believed: India deserves world-class, safe, green mobility.

The Maruti Moment: Learning the Japanese Way

Our big breakthrough came with Maruti Suzuki. Talks began in 2008, but it was only in 2010-11 that our systems went live on their vehicles. That partnership changed everything. It brought us stability, scale and something even more valuable—learning.

The Japanese way of working was a revelation. Their feedback loop was intense—what initially felt like criticism, I came to understand as deep, constructive mentorship. They invest time and effort in building up their vendors, and that became our foundation. We absorbed those lessons and embedded them into our DNA. It’s a big reason why we’ve been able to scale steadily over the last 18 years.

The Innovation Paradox: Building in Reverse

Greenfuel is fundamentally an engineering company and our strength lies in designing and developing products tailored to the specific needs of our customers, ensuring safety, reliability, and performance that meet global standards.

Most companies go from design to manufacturing to assembly. We did the opposite. We started with assembly, moved to manufacturing, and then brought design in-house. It forced us to think differently—to reverse-engineer excellence.

We now hold patents for India’s first indigenous CNG products. In fact, our former German partners now market those very innovations globally. We didn’t just import technology—we reimagined it for India. Safety wasn’t negotiable, even when price sensitivity was high. Our automatic cylinder valves and NGV fast-filling systems raised the bar—so much so that others in the market had to catch up.

Resilience Over Recognition: The Personal Cost

This journey hasn’t been easy. There were years—like during the 2012–14 market dip—when everything felt uncertain. I was travelling 22 days a month, missing family milestones and questioning everything. But through all that, I had the unwavering support of my wife and the grounding I found in Vedanta philosophy.

For me, it all came down to the 3Ps: Passion, Persistence and Patience.

“Chaos is inevitable—but your purpose has to be louder”

The Future of GreenFuel: Vision rooted in values

GreenFuel’s rise over the last 18 years has been driven by more than just business acumen. It’s been about staying rooted in values: integrity, collaboration, customer-centricity and innovation. We’ve built lasting relationships, invested deeply in R&D and created a work culture where people feel empowered to grow.

Another key milestone in GreenFuel’s journey came with Lumax acquiring a majority stake in the company. This wasn’t just a business transaction—it was a strong vote of confidence in our vision, our team and the future we’re building. The partnership with Lumax has strengthened our brand, expanded our capabilities and positioned us to scale faster and innovate deeper in the clean mobility space. It marks a new chapter—one rooted in shared values and a common mission to drive sustainable change in the automotive industry.

Today, GreenFuel is a trusted name in clean mobility, with a growing global footprint and a product suite that’s proudly ‘Made in India’.

“We’re already expanding into hydrogen, biofuels and beyond—because the energy transition isn’t optional. It’s the only way forward”

Building Beyond Profits: A Philosophy of Purpose, People & Perseverance

I still work 24/7—mentally, I’m always on. That’s the nature of the game. But what truly defines my journey is mental resilience. There are more days filled with doubt than with wins, and in those moments, you have to just keep moving.

What keeps me going is not personal gain—I’ve always had security. My biggest concern has always been for my team. Am I helping them grow? Am I helping them build better lives? That’s the real impact of entrepreneurship— creating livelihoods, not just revenue.

And while growth metrics matter, we’ve always believed in equitable wealth distribution. Because success, to me, is when everyone rises together.

As I look ahead, I feel more energized than ever. The challenges will keep coming—but so will the opportunities to innovate, to lead with purpose and to build something that lasts beyond just numbers. GreenFuel is not just a company; it’s a reflection of every lesson, every late night, every risk taken with heart. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: when you build with integrity, stay true to your values, and put people at the center—success follows.

The journey continues, and the best is yet to come…