Derbyshire Police said four men and three women, aged between 36 and 52, suffered serious but non life-threatening injuries during the incident.
Four have since been released from hospital, the force added.
Ponnachan – of Chariot Close in Alvaston, Derby – who was wearing glasses and dressed in a plain grey T-shirt, grey jogging bottoms and light blue footwear, spoke only to confirm his personal details.
District Judge Jonathan Taaffe began the hearing by addressing Ponnachan directly.
Taaffe said: “You face a number of charges from an incident on March 28th.
“It’s said that upon that date, you drove dangerously and that you committed acts that have unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to a number of people.
“Given the nature of the charges, they can only be dealt with at the crown court.”
There was no application for bail during the hearing, which lasted for about five minutes.