Government should set an example for EV usage: Ampere’s Hemalatha Annamalai

The Indian government must focus its unstinted support to the electric vehicle segment, and lead the adoption of EVs in the country if electric mobility has to be adopted on a mass scale in the country. This is according to Hemalatha Annamalai, founder and CEO, Ampere Vehicles and South Chapter Chief, SMEV (Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicle).

According to Hemalatha, Ampere has been pushing for lesser greenhouse gas emissions and reduction of the carbon footprint in terms of using resources. She said, “We from the electric vehicle industry are always sensitive and concerned about the impact on the environment. Be it materials in use or process of manufacturing, our intent is to promote clean and green practices. The rising global temperature, energy cost, energy dependence, etc., all of these, call for oil-free mobility paradigm, which EVs can provide, thus contributing to sustainable environment solutions for planet earth.”

On the eve of World Environment Day, Hemalatha said, “On behalf of the EV industry, I request the government to mandate compulsory use of battery operated vehicles in picking and disposing solid waste. This will be a milestone initiative in building a clean ecosystem, adopting a cleaner mode.”

She said that Ampere has already supplied battery operated electric three-wheelers for waste collection and segregation in Coimbatore district. The vehicles have been successfully deployed and are operated by women Self Help Group (SHG) in Kurudampalayam Panchayat in Coimbatore. These electric 3Ws use minimal plastic parts and according to Hemalatha EVs of the future could reduce plastic parts and look at other alternatives. The company plans to bring e-cycles to villages to provide cost savings, convenience and freedom.

Government should convert 30% fleet to electric
Hemalatha has asked the government to convert 30 percent of its automobile fleet into EVs by 2030. She has also called upon the Centre to enhance purchasing power for consumers by opening up bank financing options for all EVs including fleets; support players in key component manufacturing by aggregating key component indigenous manufacturing, especially on energy storage components to reduce costs and lead to enhanced economies of scale; become a big buyer of all types of EVs; introduce focused engineering curriculum on the latest EV technology in all leading engineering colleges in Tier II cities and extend 100 percent support if jobs are to be created in these towns; enabling cheaper ‘Test Beds/Labs’ and hassle-free testing for petrol (ICE) to EV conversions.