Bosch bets big on electro-mobility in India

German component and technology major Bosch is betting big on electro-mobility in India and plans to move into first series production in Indian market after 2018 when it will provide end-to-end electrified solutions adapted to the Indian market. While it already has a wide range of comprehensive solutions for two-wheelers, it will increase the regional competence for electrified solutions.  

According to the company, with over 40 Indian cities home to more than a million residents and mobility requirements at its greatest in urban sprawls, it foresees electrification as a future growth area in India. The company is ready to offer its portfolio of electrified solutions for the local market. “Small-vehicle segments will drive the transition to mass electrification, as urban dwellers seek a simple and affordable alternative to conventional standards,” said Peter Tyroller, member of the board of management of the Bosch Group responsible for Asia Pacific. He was speaking at a media meet in Bangalore today.

The company’s range of electrified solutions aims to address India’s individual mobility requirements. Despite the focus on electro-mobility as a long-term alternative, internal combustion engines will still play a major role in the near future – the powertrain of the future will be a mix of electro-mobility and combustion engines.  

Aiming for first-mover advantage
Bosch believes electro-mobility offers it a competitive edge in India “Today, the Indian supplier base is fragmented for electro-mobility solutions. With the current powertrain offerings from Bosch India, the company is aiming to bridge this gap and have the first-mover advantage,” remarked Tyroller. Bosch India will draw upon its global lineage to offer local customers the complete value chain of offerings with respect to electro-mobility. Currently, the company is in advanced stages of development and plans to move into series production after 2018.  

The company is bullish about the Central government’s initiative with the target to have an all-electric fleet in India by 2030 as well as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) program. That’s because it provides customised solutions to be able to contribute in achieving this impending target, given the necessary infrastructure is being set in place. Bosch has developed an integrated electrification system including motor, control unit, battery, charger, display, and app that can power light two-, three- and four-wheel electric vehicles.

India as an incubator for an electric future
Following its localisation strategy, Bosch aims to develop a comprehensive  electrification system for India, which takes the country’s environmental conditions and powertrain requirements into account. In a pilot project, the powertrain system was integrated to define the adaptations required in order to create a powertrain platform specifically tailored to the India market. 

“There are a lot of vehicles in the Indian automotive market right now that have the scope to be electrified. This makes India a great incubator for an electric future,” said Tyroller. The electrification systems from Bosch can easily be integrated with any light vehicle. This helps the manufacturers with their go-to-market strategy. The solution has been made scalable across all performance classes between 0.25-20 kW. This electrified solution delivers high performance even under challenging circumstances. The team at Bosch India has been working on this solution since 2016, and worked on areas such as prototype development and system integration.

Foreseeing potential in e-scooters
Electric two-wheelers can resolve last-mile connectivity concerns   Two-wheelers have been the lifeline of India’s transportation network. According to a study, around 1.2 million electric two-wheelers are set to hit the local market by 2020. The demand for electro-mobility has grown substantially over the past few years. Bosch offers the full-line of solutions required to meet the needs of the Indian two-wheeler market. Its technology is adaptable to meet the demands of the performance segment. “We see particular potential for electro-mobility in India first across the scooter segment,” said Tyroller.

Electro-mobility will also play an important role in meeting the requirements of intra-city travel. “Even from the perspective of economics, an electric scooter will be more relevant for a person looking to run some household errands in and around his society,” he stated. Other added advantages include less maintenance requirement, and a noise-free vehicle.     

Another sector Bosch is eyeing a new business opportunity is shared and connected mobility. The shared economy of today is especially relevant among its young urban audience who prefer simple and stress-free mobility. Electro-mobility will, therefore, likely gain ground in the years to come via fleet operators. Thus, considering the positive intent of all stakeholders towards electro-mobility, Bosch Ltd says it will look to increase the extent of localisation of its electrified portfolio in India.