Industry
Andhra Pradesh Floats O&M Tender for Two Solar Parks of 1 GW and 1.5 GWedit
The Andhra Pradesh Solar Power Corporation Private Limited (APSPCL) has issued operation and maintenance (O&M) tenders for two of the state’s ultra-mega solar parks. The O&M tenders have been floated for 1.5 GW of solar projects at Ananthapuramu and 1 GW of projects at Kurnool ultra-mega solar park.
Assam Set to Procure 100 Electric Buses Under Second Phase of FAME Programedit
The Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has issued a request for proposal (RfP) for the procurement, operation, and maintenance of 100 electric buses on gross cost contract (GCC) basis in three cities. The buses will be procured under the second phase of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles program’s second phase (FAME-II).
Over 2.5 Lakh E-Vehicles Received Demand Incentives under FAME-Indiaedit
About 2.8 lakh hybrid and electric vehicles have been supported through demand incentives under the first phase of FAME-India scheme, Parliament was informed on Monday. The phase-I of FAME India, which aims to promote manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology, was launched on April 1, 2015, for a period of two years. It was subsequently extended from time to time and the last extension was allowed up to March 31, 2019.
Policy | More public transport buses hold the key to blue skiesedit
German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a visit to Delhi as the national capital grappled with its worst-ever smog. She stated that “whosoever has looked at pollution in Delhi would find a very good argument to replace diesel buses with electric buses”. While the electrification of buses seems like an obvious solution to the air pollution crisis in Delhi, it actually might not make a huge dent, even if the entire bus fleet was converted to zero emission.
Solar and Wind PPAs With Tariffs Set by SERC in Andhra Pradesh Will Not be Revisitededit
The central and the Andhra Pradesh government led by Y.S. Jagmohan Reddy have reached a consensus to end the ongoing controversy hovering around the renewable sector of the state. Recently, a committee was set up following the request of the Andhra Pradesh energy minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy for discussing various issues pertaining to the renewable energy sector.
Govt defines coal auction for power plants without PPAsedit
The Union power ministry has formulated a methodology for conducting coal auctions for power plants without sufficient power purchase agreements (PPAs). The methodology paves the way for such units to apply for coal linkages, provided electricity produced from this coal is sold through spot power exchanges or through the government’s ‘DEEP’ portal, where bidding is conducted for bilateral short-term supply.
Tata Motors bags several State Transport Undertakings, to supply 2,300 busesedit
Tata Motors on Monday announced that it has bagged an order of over 2,300 buses from Rajasthan (RSRTC), Karnataka (KSRTC/ BMTC/ NWKRTC), Uttar Pradesh (UPSRTC), Tamil Nadu (IRT), and Andhra Pradesh (APSRTC). Tata Motors is working towards completing this order by February 2020.
Punjab may sign deal with Japan to launch e-busesedit
The Punjab government is in talks with Japan to launch electric vehicle (EV) buses based on the Japanese model of state-of-the-art quick charge lithium-ion batteries, beginning with a pilot of five buses in Chandigarh and Patiala, an official said on Monday.
Carmakers post flat growth in Nov; new models remain top hitsedit
The demand for SUVs and other cars appeared subdued in November after a brief pick-up in October as 14 manufacturers collectively reported 0.4 percent fall in wholesales volumes during the month. A dip in discount level, a perceived desire to buy next generation Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) vehicles in 2020 and the tendency to avoid buying at the end of the year made buyers say away from showrooms.
Interview | ‘BS-VI fuel availability a major challenge in revival of sagging auto sector’: IndiaCarNews co-founder Vikas Yogiedit
The Indian auto sector has been going through a prolonged slump. Passenger vehicle wholesales had declined for 11 consecutive months in September, only to rise marginally in October on the back of festive season purchases and new model launches. While the government has announced several steps to boost the sagging auto sector, Vikas Yogi, co-founder of www.indiacarnews.com, says that while more efforts are needed from both the government and the industry, the availability of BS-VI fuel will prove to be a major challenge.
The Idea That ‘Green Technology’ Can Help Save the Environment Is Dangerousedit
“Listen to the science,” they insist. Public support for climate action has been burgeoning around the globe, with lakhs of people in various countries demanding governments act now to stave off the worst effects of the climate crisis. Governments and corporations have been responding by announcing substantial commitments to forge cleaner paths into the future.
Valvoline introduces EV-specific fluidsedit
Valvoline has introduced products designed for electric vehicles called Valvoline EV Performance Fluids. Valvoline is offering fluids for heat transfer, drive systems and brake fluids. The company has also launched a special grease for electric vehicles.
FAME provides Rs 359 crore support to 2.8 L vehiclesedit
Under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India), about 2.8 lakh vehicles received demand incentives of about Rs 359 crore. Phase II of FAME has a budgetary support of Rs 10,000 crore. In the two-year Phase-I of FAME India Scheme was launched in March 2015 to promote adoption of electrical vehicles with an aim to reduce dependency on fossil fuel and to address issues of vehicular emissions.
International
Cars powered by hydrogen cells: Japanese research is key input in Govt’s SC replyedit
Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics next July, Japan’s government and its auto industry are jointly making a big bet on hydrogen to power emission-free cars — widely regarded as the next frontier in electric vehicle (EV) technology. And, as Japan strives to put thousands of hydrogen vehicles on its roads ahead of the 2020 sporting event, India could end up riding the slipstream.
France proposes measures to make car industry greeneredit
French presented proposals on Monday which it said were aimed at helping its car industry adapt to growing environmental concerns and reducing CO2 emissions. The measures include raising financial sanctions on cars which emit relatively high levels of CO2 and creating two funds of 25 million euros ($28 million) each to help the sector deal with the required changes, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said.