Autocar Professional’s August 15 edition is simply electrifying!

As India steps into its 75^th year of Independence, there is an awakening of a different sort underway across the country. Consciousness about sustainable mobility, a constructive move towards creating green transportation and striving towards freedom from pollution.

Zero emission is the anthem that the beleaguered India Auto Inc is riding forth on as it scripts its revival from one of the longest downward trends in the history of the automotive industry. Autocar Professional seeks to celebrate this spirit in this Independence-fortnight issue with an ‘E-mobility Special’.


This 56-page edition details the three Es that are driving the auto industry at the moment - E-mobility, Emission and Entrepreneurship.

Download your copy absolutely free today!

EVs get the much-needed policy push
Effective legislation is often the key to most successful concepts and the move towards better electric mobility adoption is no different as states race to get an EV advantage.

• At the moment, it’s an ace for Delhi as Arvind Kejriwal’s recently unveiled comprehensive policy targets achieve 25 percent electrification of new vehicle fleet by 2024. As the national capital and the state woos investors with incentives over and above the FAME II, the Delhi EV Policy has already received a big thumbs up from the captains of the EV industry. They expect an overall mindset shift in consumers and also a widespread benefit.
• Even as Delhi leads the race, other states are in no mood to play second fiddle. Telangana has an ambitious plan which envisages investments up to Rs 23,000 crore by 2030.
   
• Neighbouring Andhra Pradesh has already upped the ante on the EV policy front. We gave you the exclusive details first in Autocar Professional’s August 1 issue. The state is targetting Rs 30,000 crore investment by 2030.
   
• Maharashtra, one of India’s key automotive hubs, is also training its eyes on electric avenue. The state’s Industries Minister, in another Autocar Professional exclusive revealed that ‘Maharashtra is keen on keen to set up an electric vehicle manufacturing hub.’

Tamil Nadu charges its EV policy with sops
The other key conventional auto hub, the ‘Detroit of Asia’ is not too far in the race to grab a slice of the EV pie either. The policy, recently announced by Tamil Nadu, targets around Rs 50,000 crore investment in the EV space with a potential to generate 1.5 million jobs

• Coimbatore-based Srivaru Motors is scripting a fully ‘Make-in-India’ story that is an appropriate celebration of the Atmanirbhar week. It is all set to launch its first electric offering, Prana this Diwali.
   
• From two-wheelers to CVs, ‘tis all about EVs - ABB Hitachi Power Grids promises a disruptive innovation. The global biggies join hands to launch a game-changing grid-to-plug EV charging system for public transport and commercial fleet operators.
   
• How effectively is the automotive industry turning this crisis into an opportunity in the state? In a webinar conducted by Tamil Nadu’s nodal investment promotion agency, Guidance TN in partnership with SIAM, major automotive industry veterans highlight that increasing ease of doing business is the key factor that can give the state the much needed edge.

New tech takes centre-stage
Innovation and new tech is often the medicine prescribed when you are dealing with the need to consistently stay ahead of the game.

• Telematics is trending hard in the CV space. From Eicher to Ashok Leyland, DICV and M&M, OEMs are rushing to enhance Enhancing efficiency, productivity and safety with the latest telematics solution.
   
• Kia Motors India is gunning for speedier growth. Its new Sonet with several segment-first features that is expected to rev up sales and make competition stiffer in the compact SUV space.
   
• Maruti Suzuki introduced the updated S-Cross crossover in a new petrol-only avatar. The Mild-hybrid technology is expected to enhance fuel economy.

EV batteries – the race for better than the best

Sodium-ion batteries, which can be produced in cylindrical, pouch and prismatic format and are easily
recyclable, can be a disruptor in the rapidly growing energy storage market as a safe, low-cost and
high energy density battery. 

The battery is easily the most important component in an EV. From cost to efficiency and travel range, it spells the make or break of a product.

• Coimbatore-based start-up Sodion Energy aims to introduce a safer and cheaper alternative to lithium-ion batteries using sodium-ion batteries. CEO, Pachayappa Baladhandayuthapani, tells Autocar Professional that they plan to set up their own facility to make cells locally in India.
   
• However, a United Nations study has raised a red flag about the green quotient of EV batteries, especially the production process. Find out why?

Mission Zero Emission

Even as the race to make EVs that promise zero emission heats up, the question is how will the emission roadmap for India look over the next decade? In a webinar organised by The Centre for Auto Policy & Research (CAPR) on ‘Bharat Stage VI Emission Norms — 2025: the next tightening?’, experts and industry leaders call for a technology-agnostic fuel-neutral legislation with long-term benefits.

Lots of CV news
But the commercial vehicle space is buzzing with action over the last fortnight.

• VECV takes the inorganic route to expand its bus portfolio, acquires Volvo India’s bus business.
   
• Dr Seshu Bhagavathula, who superannuated from Ashok Leyland last month, has joined the board of Volta Trucks, a start-up full-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and services company.

But that is not all. This 56-page issue is packed with automotive action, expert views and all the news over the past fortnight. Grab your copy or download it digitally absolutely free.

How you can read this issue – Click here to download
Once you’ve downloaded our E-mobility Special, use the Adobe Acrobat PDF viewer and switch to page-by-page view mode for the best reading experience! Autocar Professional magazine is also available through all good newsagents and for download from Magzster. You can also buy one-off copies of Autocar Professional magazine – contact Ganesh at ganesh@haymarketsac.com. Alternatively, never miss an issue – subscribe to Autocar Professional magazine today