Industry
Delhi conducts trial run of fully electric public busedit
NTPC has rolled out its first electric vehicle charging station in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The state-run power firm focuses on the promotion of clean energy transportation by increasing demand for electric vehicles. The station fully-equipped with facilities like parking bays, lighting, power supply and Wi-Fi access would be able to charge three electric vehicles at a time.
Auto firms looking to ride the EV waveedit
Naveen Munjal admits he was off the starting blocks far too early. He launched Hero Electric back in 2007 when electric vehicles were still a distant spark. It’s been a long, hard haul but he says: “I’d rather be early than late. Yes, we were way too early but it’s given us credibility in the marketplace and we already have a dealer network in place. Newer companies are playing catch-up.”
Government hikes FAME-I outlay by Rs 100 croreedit
For the phase-I of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME India) scheme, the government has increased the outlay to Rs 895 crore. The first phase of the FAME India scheme was supposed to be implemented over a two-year period commencing from April 1, 2015 to promote mass adoption of electric vehicles. It was to be followed by the roll-out of the second phase.
High-rises to make way for e-vehiclesedit
The high-rise structures in the city will have to reserve space in their parking bays for electric vehicles or EVs in the near future. The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom), which has been entrusted with the task of making Bengaluru the EV capital of India, in a bid to encourage more commuters to ditch the traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and switch over to EVs has undertaken a slew of measures.
India’s electric vehicle push must integrate major thrust on e-bikesedit
With India planning to shift one-third of its vehicles to electric fleet by 2030, the government has launched a series of policy measures and incentives to promote electric and hybrid cars. The policy thrust on electric vehicles is aimed at enabling the country cut down on its excessive oil imports as well as address concerns over poor air quality across major cities. Notably, 14 of the world’s most polluted cities are in India.
Competition
Hero Electric raises Rs 160 Cr; questions about India’s EV futureedit
Hero Electric, the electric bike manufacturer, has raised Rs 160 crore from Alpha Capital Advisors, for a “significant” minority stake. The company will use the funding to diversify its products, acquire new tech, and on research and development. Hero Electric is also planning to launch products in a phased manner by adding to its manufacturing capacity in the next 5 years. Hero claims to have 45% of India’s electric bike market, and has launched 15 electric vehicles (EVs) in the last 10 years.
Mahindra and Shell to work together for development of fluids & lubricants for EVsedit
Mahindra & Mahindra recently announced that Shell would be their new sponsor as Mahindra Racing’s Formula E team gears up for the upcoming E-Prix with a new race car and new drivers as well. On the sidelines of the unveiling of the new M5Electra Formula E race car, Mahindra and Shell also said that the two would work together to develop fluids and lubricants for electric vehicles. Mahindra Racing announced it two new drivers for the upcoming season of Formula E championship – Jérôme d’Ambrosio & Pascal Wehrlein.
International
Chinese brands seek to succeed in Western Europe with EVsedit
Auto News reported that no Chinese brand has succeeded in distributing vehicles in Western Europe, but that may soon change as several Chinese companies are preparing to crack the market with electric vehicles. On the sidelines of an event organized by US marketing consultancy Ries & Ries last week in Shanghai, Michael Ning, vice president of Great Wall Motor, told Automotive News China, a sister publication of Automotive News Europe, that his company expects to launch EV sales in Western Europe in late 2020 or 2021.
Daimler to buy $23 billion of battery cells for electric car driveedit
Daimler will buy battery cells worth more than 20 billion euros ($23 billion) by 2030 as it readies mass production of hybrid and electric vehicles, the maker of Mercedes-Benz cars said on Tuesday. The company is one of a number of German automakers massively expanding in electric vehicles as European regulators clamp down on toxic diesel emissions.