Industry
Govt Introduces Strict Content Localisation Norms For Electric Vehiclesedit
The central government has introduced stricter content localisation norms for electric vehicle companies to avail incentives under the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME II) scheme. In order to claim the FAME II incentives, automakers will have to ensure minimum localisation content of 50%, based on ex-factory price, for all categories of electric vehicles such as two-wheelers, three, four-wheelers and e-rickshaws. In case of e-buses, the companies will have to ensure 40% content localisation.
Running out of road: The death of dieseledit
When 29-year-old Arunima Bose’s family bought a car nearly five years ago, opting for diesel was a no-brainer. In the halcyon era of 2014, diesel variants were selling by the dozen, fuelled, in part, by a huge price difference between petrol and diesel. That era of diesel is about to hit a hard brake, and in such a dramatic fashion, that what happens to diesel might be the first tangible signs of the costs and pace of change associated with the world’s fastest growing economy’s push towards cleaner fuels.
Kerala govt okays e-vehicle policy; to procure 6,000 buses by 2025edit
The government of Kerala has finalised an electric vehicle (EV) policy for the state. The Cabinet approval came with some changes in the draft policy. One aim is to procure 6,000 electric buses for the state road transport corporation by 2025. In the first phase, EV buses will ply in Thiruvananthapuram. Other vehicles powered by electricity are to be progressively phased in. Charging stations will be set up.
Competition
Tata AutoComp ties up with Australia’s Tritium to set up EV charging stationsedit
Auto component maker Tata AutoComp Systems Wednesday said it has partnered with Australia’s Tritium Pty Ltd to supply direct current (DC) fast chargers for electric vehicles in India. The two companies have signed an MoU under which Tata AutoComp will soon make available Tritium’s DC Fast Chargers in India, the company said in a statement.
Mahindra to develop cars purely on electric vehicle platform in long termedit
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) foresees developing electric vehicle (EV) only platforms in the long term although it will continue to leverage on its internal combustion engine vehicle platforms to develop EVs in the short term, according to a top company official.
International
China’s Hainan province to end fossil fuel car sales in 2030edit
China’s southern Hainan island will end sales of fossil fuel-only cars in 2030, officials said, becoming the first province to announce a target end date for a transition away from gas guzzlers. Beijing announced plans in 2017 to phase out petrol vehicles across the nation, but it did not set a date, as the country aims to cut pollution and reduce its dependence on imported oil.