Mention
Mahindra open to partnership with Ashok Leyland, or others, for e-mobilityedit
As the global electric mobility megatrend, among others, gains traction, the collaboration route is increasingly being taken by automotive companies worldwide as a strategy to achieve success. For the same reason, Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland could come together for the common goal of success in electric mobility, if the collaborative mindset of their leaders lead to joining forces between their organisations.
Industry
Centre to increase EV charging points with German fundedit
With German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday pledging to invest 1 billion euros over next five years on environmentally friendly urban mobility in India, the Central government is planning to use a major part of the fund to increase the number of charging points for electric vehicles across the country and to replace diesel buses with electric buses.
Success of electric buses touches new heights, 2.14L passengers avail services in 18 monthsedit
The success of electric buses in New Town is going up by leaps and bounds with more than 2.14 lakh passengers availing the services in the past 18 months. Three electric buses were introduced in the township on May 1, 2018. Debashis Sen, chairman of the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco) had flagged them off at a function. It may be mentioned that New Town is the first township in the state to have introduced electric buses.
State-of-art zero-emission buses launchededit
Coach manufacturing company PMI launched its zero-emission electric buses recently. The PMI launched the bus in association with Chinese automobile giant Beiqi Foton Motor at an event attended by Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways General (retd) VK Singh and Spice Jet Co-Founder Ajay Singh.
Long-term planning is needed to make power grids ready for EV load: Reportedit
When electric vehicles (EVs) become a favoured transportation option for Indians, policy makers need to think about the ecosystem it will require, and it is much more than just planning for charging stations.
Indian Public-Bus-Transit System – A case for ‘disruption’edit
Indian urban mobility systems have hardly kept pace with the technological advancements in the world. The transformations are limited to AC buses, low-floor coaches and now electric ones as well.
Plan to develop electric bus depot approved by UP govtedit
The state government, under the Agra smart city project, has approved a plan to develop an electric bus depot on 6.67 acres of land at Runkata. Besides, the process for purchase of 100 battery-operated buses has been initiated. It has been proposed by the Agra- Mathura city transport service limited. According to the city transport service officials, development of depot is likely to start by the end of this year.
Will Gujarat govt shun double standards in enforcing HSRP rule?edit
Gujarat government takes lead to promote Centre’s electric mobility mission but has still been unable to get the mandated green high-security registration plates, forcing the Corporation to ply e-buses on city roads using regular number plates.
150 new e-buses to ply on city roads by early 2021edit
According top priority to its plan of replacing the existing fleet of mass transport vehicles with electric buses, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has floated tenders for procurement of 150 e-buses. By replacing the present diesel-run fleet with e-buses, SMC hopes to reduce not only its operational and maintenance cost of about Rs 200 crore by at least 60 per cent, but also curb air pollution. These e-buses are also noiseless which will reduce sound pollution levels in the city.
Sharp fall in diesel demand, consumption down 3.3% in Septemberedit
India’s diesel demand has slowed down sharply because of a sluggish economy and structural changes like GST-induced road transport efficiency, trucks being allowed to carry a bigger load, increased power supply and consumer preference for petrol vehicles. Diesel consumption grew barely 1.1% in the six months to September when it contracted 3.3%. Diesel makes up 40% of India’s total oil demand, which grew just 1.4% in the first half of 2019-20. In FY19, the demand was up 3% for diesel, and 2.7% for total oil.
Competition
For government subsidy, electric vehicles have to be pricier: Hero Electric Vehiclesedit
Hero Electric Vehicles, one of the largest electric scooter manufacturers in India by sales, on Friday said that electric vehicles have to be pricier to get the government subsidy. In an interview to CNBC-TV18’s Areeb Sherwani, Naveen Munjal, managing director, said the government needs to do a lot more to incentivise electric vehicle (EV) demand and stressed the need to improve the provisions of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India (FAME) II policy.
Suzuki to start testing electric scooters and bikes in India soonedit
The EV revolution is in full swing in India it seems, for now more and more automakers are finally starting to consider it as a serious opportunity. Case in point, Suzuki Motorcycle India — the two-wheeler manufacturer finally has some news in the EV department. The company told ET that it intends to start testing electric scooters in India quite soon. In fact, Suzuki’s EV tests could start by next year; however, that won’t translate into their launch here as well, at least not immediately.
Greaves Leasing Finance ties up with WheelsEMI for EV financingedit
Greaves Cotton’s wholly owned subsidiary NBFC arm, Greaves Leasing Finance has recently announced its partnership with Wheels EMI to provide easy finance options to prospective electric vehicle buyers, hence enable millions of people embrace eco-friendly vehicles. This move will make cost-conscious customers take a prudent decision while buying Ampere electric scooters, the company said in release.
‘More than clean, electric vehicles are more efficient’edit
Officials of Bajaj Auto Ltd, made a flying visit to Goa for the unveiling of the Chetak in its all- new electric avatar. Eric Vas president, urbanite business, Bajaj Auto Ltd in brief conversation with Dhanashri Karbotkar, spoke of the return of the iconic model. He revealed that, Bajaj is first known OEM company in the two wheeler space to put out an electric product and there is very bright future for electric vehicles.
International
China considers cutting electric-car subsidies againedit
China is considering further cuts to subsidies for electric-vehicle purchases, according to people familiar with the matter, threatening to deal another blow to a once-burgeoning industry that’s facing an unprecedented slump.
GM releases perfect 200+mile range Crossover EV for US market…in Chinaedit
GM announced two weeks ago that it would be supporting Donald Trump’s rollback of EV emissions standards by siding with the administration vs. California. You would think that GM – with its pioneering Bolt EV and “zero emissions future” initiatives – would support lowering emissions. But something has gone terribly wrong at GM over the past few years in EVs.
Opec looks ahead and sees oil’s plateauedit
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries this week published its annual World Oil Outlook, a reliably huge and dense examination of the future of the cartel’s main product, as well as the markets that will drive its growth and compete against it.