April 19: Siemens, the global electronics and electrical engineering firm, has revealed it is engaged in preliminary talks to set up e-charging stations in Mumbai and other parts of the country in a bid to drive electric mobility.
Speaking to Autocar Professional at the ongoing Indo-German Urban Mela in Mumbai, Tilak Raj Seth, executive vice-president (Infrastructure and Cities) Sector Cluster Lead, IC Sector – South Asia, Siemens Ltd, said that the company is talking to key electric mobility stakeholders in India. He, however, did not reveal names. Nevertheless, expect Mahindra Reva Electric Cars, which is the leading OEM in the electric vehicle (EV) industry in India, to be a major force in this programme. Seth however said that it will take a concerted effort on the part of the government to actively promote e-mobility in the country, both on the infrastructure and vehicle manufacturing fronts.
Electric cars have a minuscule presence in the country at present. The 2012 Union Budget offers little or no benefits to the EV industry. According to Chetan Maini, chief of technology & strategy, Mahindra Reva, “the increase in various duties/cess will increase the cost of EVs by 1-1.5 percent. The increase in basic excise duty for cars, from 5 to 6 percent, will result in a 1 percent increase in EV prices. Excise on parts (input) has increased from 10 to 12 percent. Lithium batteries are still exempt from customs duty, but the increase in Countervailing Duty (CVD) from 5 to 6 percent will increase the cost of batteries.”
Siemens has a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for electromobility – from infrastructure equipment such as charging poles to bundled solutions for the drive and the control unit of electric vehicles. In addition to its standard portfolio, Siemens offers DC charging stations and battery swapping equipment as well as the necessary measuring equipment and network planning services.
The Indo-German Urban Mela
Travelling across India, the Indo-German Urban Mela is part of the celebrations titled ‘Germany and India 2011-2012: Infinite Opportunities’ that commemorate 60 years of the establishment of Indo-German diplomatic ties. The multi-faceted exposition examines the impact of rapid urbanisation and challenges posed by the pace of change in Indian and German cities today.
Partner organisations and institutions of the project such as BASF, Bosch, Lanxess, Deutsche Bank, Siemens, Bajaj Allianz, Lapp India, SAP and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, among others, have displayed interactive solutions related to the thematic focus of the exposition – ‘City Spaces’.
The ‘Urban Mela’ will continue in Mumbai till April 22 and then move on to Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, and Pune.