We’re talking about September 9, which is more famously now conceived as the ‘World EV Day’. The global automotive space celebrates the growing momentum of the EV industry, highlighting the need for sustainable mobility, free of tailpipe emissions. The whispers of the segment have started to transition into choruses, yet, remain restrained by marked challenges.
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However, it’s no secret that EVs in India, is a rapidly growing segment. Things actually started to pace up with the rollout of schemes such as the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) and the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in India) subsidies, which are aimed at making EVs affordable to the masses. The segment has started to shape up yet there are several factors posing as a roadblock in mass EV adoption such as a lack of charging infra, high upfront costs of EVs as compared to ICE vehicles, to state the obvious.
That said, here’s what the startups in the EV space think about the transition, innovation, concerns, opportunities and the challenges that need to be dealt with.
Narayan Subramaniam, Co-Founder and CEO of Ultraviolette Automotive, a Bengaluru-based EV maker that last year launched its maiden electric performance motorcycle, the F77, said “We believe the value of electric vehicle technology lies not just in functional use case segments but also in exciting, performance driven segments. We believe the change in mindset towards EV adoption will happen through multiple segments transitioning to electric.”
Sanjay Behl, CEO and Executive Director, Greaves Electric Mobility, talking about the future of EVs, added “This journey is steering us closer to a net-zero emissions future on planet earth by 2070. The road ahead promises reduced emissions, energy efficiency, and a renewed urban landscape, driving us towards a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.”
Uday Narang, Founder and Chairman, Omega Seiki Mobility outlines the potential of electric trucks as he said “They are not just a part of the solution; they are key to reducing emissions in the commercial transportation sector, which significantly contributes to pollution. It’s imperative that governments step up with incentives and support for Electric Trucks, making them a compelling choice for businesses, further propelling us towards a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
When lithium-ion batteries (a popular battery chemistry in India and a core component of an EV) are disposed of improperly, they can release harmful pollutants into the environment.
Speaking on the need to tackle the lack of Li-ion recycle infra, Rajesh Gupta, Founder & Director, RecycleKaro says “We must establish an efficient system to manage the growing number of end-of-life batteries. We must prioritize sustainable sourcing and recycling. The concept of a circular economy, reusing and recycling lithium, Cobalt and Nickel metals, will continue gaining momentum. Collaborative efforts between automakers, recyclers, and governments are vital for effective recycling ecosystems.”
Anshul Gupta, Managing Director, Okaya EV reflects on the advancements of battery technologies as he added “Lithium-ion battery technology has made EVs more practical and affordable by increasing their range and reducing charging times. The incorporation of LFP batteries into EVs ensures enhanced safety, a longer lifespan, reduced operational costs, quicker charging times, and a more eco-friendly footprint.”
Saurav Goyal, Co-Founder and COO, Metastable Materials points out on the importance of bringing down the cost of ownership of EVs “There is still a need to bring the cost of ownership of an EV further down in order to accelerate its adoption amongst the masses. Integrated supply chains for consistent availability of raw materials and higher salvage values for end-of-life vehicles, especially their lithium-ion batteries, can certainly be the gamechangers.”