Venu Srinivasan: “Unrealistic deadline for mass adoption of e-2Ws, 3Ws risks derailing industry."

TVS Motor Co chairman says such a mandate will not only create consumer discontent but also risks derailing the country’s automobile industry, which supports 4 million jobs.

By Autocar Professional Bureau

10 Jun 2019

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Venu Srinivasan: “India needs gradual and seamless adoption of EVs to avoid collateral damage and ensure our technology-driven disruption is positive and lasting.”

Captains of industry are reacting to the recent news that the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee of the National Mission for Transformative Mobility and Battery Storage, the high-level panel is looking to mandate sales of only electric three-wheelers from April 1, 2023 and April 1, 2025 for electric two-wheelers (below 150cc).

As the industry’s voice picks up steam as a reaction to the government’s ambitious mandate to electrify mobility particularly the low-hanging fruit in the form of two- and three-wheelers, Venu Srinivasan, chairman of the Chennai-based TVS Motor Co, has issued a statement. TVS, which is known for its acumen in R&D, is understood to be developing its own electric scooter and has also taken an equity stake in Bangalore-based electric motorcycle start-up Ultraviolette.

Srinivasan said: “Automakers everywhere are supportive of the overall goal of introducing electric vehicles (EVs) and easing consumers into electric mobility. As a result, we (TVS Motor Co) have been doing serious development work to ensure we can offer a mass-market EV product that delivers on safety and high performance. This is necessary to co-opt consumers into making a switch, so it’s driven by consumer willingness and, therefore, adopted easily and widely. The supporting infrastructure for charging also needs to be as robust as conventional fuel options.

“The auto industry globally is still a long way away from all of this, as is India. To force an unrealistic deadline for mass adoption of electric two- and three-wheelers will not just create consumer discontent, but it risks derailing auto manufacturing in India that supports 4 million jobs.

“We need gradual and seamless adoption of EVs to avoid such collateral damage and ensure our technology-driven disruption is positive and lasting.”

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