During the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 at Pragati Maidan, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) orchestrated the 3rd Global Electrification Mobility Summit (GEMS). Themed “विद्युतीकरण (Electrification): Electrifying India’s Journey towards Sustainable Mobility,” the summit established a forum where all stakeholders converged to propel India’s electrification journey towards sustainability.
SIAM, the premier national organization representing leading vehicle and engine manufacturers in India, operates under the Societies Registration Act 1860 with a focus on charitable endeavors. With its core mission aimed at bolstering the automotive sector’s role in India’s economic advancement, aiding in fulfilling societal responsibilities, and promoting industry efficiency within the nation, SIAM stands committed to fostering environmental sustainability and ensuring the safety of both vehicle users and the public.
In an effort to tackle environmental challenges, SIAM has engaged with governmental bodies, corporations, and various stakeholders, aligning with its mission of Promoting Sustainable Nation Building. During the gathering, Chief Guest Kamran Rizvi, Secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, lauded SIAM’s initiative in organizing a crucial meeting centered around electrifying India’s journey, highlighting its timeliness.
Mr Rizvi commended the automotive sector for its performance amidst the disruptive shift towards electric vehicles, emphasizing the pivotal role of government schemes like PLI and FAME in stimulating innovative thinking and fostering new opportunities. Vivek Kumar Dewangan, Chairman & Managing Director of Rural Electrification Corporation, underscored India’s steadfast commitment among G20 nations to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP. He stressed the significance of the transportation sector, particularly electric mobility, in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
Sudhendu J Sinha, Advisor at NITI Aayog, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to bolstering EV manufacturing and battery infrastructure. He emphasized the necessity for investments in research and innovation to drive the electric mobility agenda forward, expressing confidence in the efforts of industry stakeholders, academia, researchers, and thought leaders.
Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, reiterated the government’s commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of advancing India into a developed nation. Highlighting the significance of the auto industry in the economy, he emphasized the need for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to further promote growth, particularly in the realm of electric vehicles (EVs).
Vinod Aggarwal, President of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) and MD & CEO of VECV (Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles), echoed this sentiment, underscoring the positive growth of the auto sector in the past year. He emphasized the industry’s alignment with the government’s sustainability goals, through initiatives like FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) schemes.
The event, which commenced with a session titled ‘Pivoting ways for the growth of electrification in Amritkaal of India,’ was moderated by Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM. Sushant Naik, Chairperson of SIAM Electric Mobility Group & Global Head of Government & Public Affairs at Tata Motors, contributed to the discussion by highlighting the global trend towards achieving ‘net zero’ emissions and the pivotal role of EVs in reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector.
K N Radhakrishnan, Chairman of SIAM 2W CEOs Council and Director & CEO of TVS Motor, expressed gratitude towards the government for its support through the PLI and Fame schemes, which have jumpstarted the electric vehicle (EV) revolution in the country. He highlighted the need for ongoing government backing to fuel innovation in areas such as technology development, supply chain enhancement, and talent pool nurturing.
Niranjan Gupta, CEO of Hero MotoCorp, likened the transition to EVs to a marathon, emphasizing the necessity for a long-term vision rather than a short burst of activity. Gupta echoed Radhakrishnan’s sentiments regarding the significance of government support, particularly in promoting localization through initiatives like the PLI and Fame schemes. He emphasized the importance of affordability alongside sustainability, stressing the need to lower EV prices to ensure accessibility to a broader demographic.
Amit Kalyani, Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd, advocated for India’s diversification of advanced chemistry cell options to reduce reliance on a singular fuel cell type in the electric mobility domain. Kalyani’s remarks underscored the imperative of embracing technological diversity to bolster the resilience and competitiveness of India’s EV sector.
In a session focused on “Policy, Regulatory Support, and Enablers to Propel Electric Mobility Through Strengthened Charging Infrastructure Solutions & Standardization, Alongside Global Insights on E-Mobility Strategies and Imperatives for India,” hosted by the organization, Suman Mishra, Co-Chairperson of the SIAM Electric Mobility Group and MD & CEO of Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, assumed the role of moderator.
Edwin Bastiaensen, Secretary General of IMMA, emphasized the necessity for collaborative efforts in addressing challenges in electrified mobility, highlighting India’s significant potential in this sector as a supplier to economies of varying scales. Akash Passey, President of ZF Group India, underscored the transformation within the entire EV ecosystem, envisioning a future where transportation is predominantly electric.
Sameer Aggarwal, CEO of Revfin, highlighted the hurdles stemming from the nascent stage of the electric vehicle segment. He stressed the importance of forging partnerships among stakeholders to alleviate risks associated with EV financing, citing the absence of a secondary market and inadequate infrastructure as primary challenges. Animesh Sinha, Tata Steel’s Chief of Marketing & Sales (Automotive & Special Products), emphasized the importance of recycling and reduction, highlighting the need for collaboration among OEMs, consumers, and the government.
Amit Bhatt, Managing Director of The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), stressed the necessity of decarbonizing the transportation sector, advocating for electrification as the key solution. V Manjunath from UL Standards & Engagement underscored the significance of adopting global standards for sustainability in India. Pawan Mulukulta of WRI India discussed the potential of standardization and an open digital network to drive the adoption of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers in the country.
Ravindra Mohan of Chargezone addressed challenges in expanding the charging ecosystem and proposed measures to overcome them. Concluding the event, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, highlighted the auto industry’s pivotal role in India’s decarbonization journey and reaffirmed SIAM’s commitment to fostering sustainable mobility. The successful organization of the 3rd edition of GEMS demonstrated SIAM’s dedication to promoting electric mobility and facilitating constructive dialogue among stakeholders.
