India EV News: Cabinet Note Approved to Scrap Old Vehicles

Talking about promoting alternative sources of fuel, Gadkari said that he acknowledges the concerns of the Internal Combustion Engine- vehicles industry

India EV News: "Approved cabinet note for scrapping old vehicles, policy out soon: Nitin Gadkari"; Tamil Nadu seeks first-mover advantage with new EV policy; Indian auto component industry need not fear EVs, say Industry leaders

India EV News is a selection of news highlights about electric mobility in India.

September 2019

NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Approved cabinet note for scrapping old vehicles, policy out soon: Nitin Gadkari

The vehicle scrapping policy will be circulated to concerned ministries, having been approved by the Prime Minister’s Office and the Finance Ministry, Union Minister of Road Transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said.

"I have signed the file for Cabinet note of Scrappage Policy today. The note has already been approved by Finance Ministry. Now it will be circulated to concerned ministries," Gadkari told reporters.

The policy for discarding old vehicles will be applicable to all automobiles, including two and three wheelers, Gadkari said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman last month said that the scrapping policy will be announced shortly to check the slump in automobile sales.

Talking about promoting alternative sources of fuel, Gadkari said that he acknowledges the concerns of the Internal Combustion Engine- vehicles industry and will certainly look to help auto manufacturers. (…)

(The Economic Times, 19 September 2019)

Suzuki Brings EV Battery Plant to Gujarat In Tie-up With Denso, Toshiba

Venturing into the production of lithium-ion batteries and electrode, Japenese automobile major Suzuki Motors has formed a consortium with Japenese automotive component manufacturer Denso and multinational conglomerate Toshiba to set up a manufacturing unit in Gujarat. The batteries will be used to power electric vehicles (EV).

Though the investment figures have not been disclosed yet, according to media speculations the companies are likely to invest between INR 30K Cr to INR 50K Cr in phases over 8 years. However, the investment might fluctuate with regards to the global demand for EVs.

A state government official has confirmed the report saying that Suzuki will lead the partnership and the investment will be divided in the proportion of 50:40:10 between Suzuki, Toshiba and Denso. (…)

(INC42, 17 September 2019)

Electric vehicles: Tamil Nadu seeks first-mover advantage with new policy

The Tamil Nadu government has announced a host of incentives for electric vehicles (EVs) and component makers in its Electric Vehicle Policy 2019, which was released by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on 16 Sep 2019. The policy underlines the special focus on augmenting charging infrastructure and encouraging start-ups.

Aiming to gain the first-mover advantage and woo big-ticket investments, the state government has announced 100% motor vehicle tax exemption for all EVs, including two-wheelers, cars, auto-rickshaws, buses and light goods carriers till December 2022. Companies which invest a minimum of Rs 50 crore in the EV space and provide direct employment to a minimum of 50 people will get 100% refund of SGST till 2030, provided they make and sell electric vehicles in the state. (…)

(Financial Express, 17 September 2019)

Kinetic Green signs MoU with MahaMetro for last mile connectivity using e-rickshaws

Credit: BW Online Bureau

Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions signed an MoU with the MahaMetro to provide last mile connectivity with e-rickshaws to commuters in Nagpur. As part of this, MoU Kinetic Green will be providing its electric 3-wheeler ‘Kinetic Safar’ which is ideally suited for last mile connectivity and urban commuting.

‘Kinetic Safar’ is India’s first ARAI-approved electric 3-wheeler. These electric vehicles can be booked from mobile app and people will be able to pay online through card or mobile payment methods. Currently, as part of the initial pilot, this e-rickshaw service will be made available to commuters at Khapri, New Airport, Airport South, Airport Jaiprakash Nagar, Sitabardi Subhash Nagar and Lokmanya Nagar Metro Station. (…)

(Times of India, 13 September 2019)

INDUSTRY NEWS

Indian auto component industry need not fear EVs, say Industry leaders

Indian auto component industry which is largely comprised of mechanical and powertrain parts need not to worry about the evolution of electric vehicles as the internal combustion engine is here to stay for at least for the next one decade, industry leaders said at the 59th Annual Convention conducted by auto component members association (ACMA).

There are about 800 ACMA members of which 55 percent of them work in powertrain business who are facing threat from the evolution of electric vehicles. McKinsey estimates that e-mobility will put 40% components at risk which will require component players to identify their play. (…)

(The Economic Times, 09 September 2019)

Tata Motors unveils EV tech brand Ziptron

Tata Motors has announced its state-of-the-art electric vehicle technology ‘ZIPTRON’, which will power a range of aspirational Tata Electric Cars. (Photo | tatamotors.com)

In its quest to be a major player in electric mobility, Tata Motors on Thursday unveiled its new electric vehicle (EV) technology brand Ziptron, which will form the basis of future Tata EVs. The brand will start operations during the fourth quarter of FY 2019-20.

According to the company, Ziptron is the building block towards Tata Motors’ consistent strive for commonality, to drive economies of scale and to make new technologies affordable for Indian consumers. Ziptron comes with distinctive characteristics like efficient high voltage system; zippy performance; long-range, fast charging capability; best-in-industry dust-and-water proof battery system with a warranty of eight years, and adherence to IP67 standard, claims Tata Motors. Further, Ziptron utilises smart regenerative braking to charge the battery on the drive. (…)

(The New Indian Express, 20 September 2019)

Bharat Forge completes Rs 88.9 crore investment in new EV components joint venture

World's largest forging company, Bharat Forge on Thursday completed an investment of €11.35 million (Rs 88.9 crore) to form a 50:50 joint venture with Germany's Refu Electronik GmbH to make components for electric and hybrid vehicles.

The company had announced the investment plan in June this year and the transaction was completed following the completion of due diligence.

The components to be manufactured and marketed by the joint venture include on-board controllers and components, mainly - drives, invertors, converters (including AC/DC) and all kind of auxiliary applications, related power electronics and battery management systems (BMS). They will be made for all type of e-mobility vehicles, which is, hybrid and electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars and commercial vehicles, the Pune-based company said.

The Kalyani Group flagship company also holds a 48% stake in electric two-wheeler startup Tork Motors. (...)

(The Economic Times, 20 September 2019)


Compiled by Charu Lata and Kriti Sehgal

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