Accelerating towards tomorrow: India's electric vehicle revolution
ET Special India's strengths in frugal engineering and its talented workforce offer a remarkable opportunity to cement its position as a leader in the global EV ecosystem, driving a cleaner and more sustainable future
India's electric vehicle (EV) revolution is charging ahead, driven by dynamic policies, hefty investments, and a surge in consumer interest. Bloomberg NEF's EV Outlook 2024 forecasts a leap to 5.9 million EV sales by 2040, with a remarkable 199% growth by 2027. This growth is fueled by a broader range of models and increasing consumer enthusiasm.Government initiatives, including the FAME and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, have bolstered local manufacturing and competitiveness. PM E Drive underscores India's policy dedication to innovation and sustainability in the EV sector.The Tata Group have played a pivotal role in mainstreaming EVs in the country. While Tata Motors led the EV revolution by offering customers a choice of EVs to select from even as other OEMs took time, Tata Power laid a robust foundation to bolster the charging infrastructure with its offerings of home, community and public charging. A comprehensive ecosystem of suppliers, vendors and charge point operators has also been fostered to accelerate the transition towards electric mobility with more aggressive and ambitious plans. With nearly all other OEMs announcing their plans to launch and promote EVs at the recently concluded Bharat Mobility Global Expo, it is now established beyond doubt that that EVs are definitely the future.As India accelerates its transition to electric mobility, key innovations in critical areas are playing a supportive role in shaping the landscape and setting the stage for a sustainable future.
Battery Technology – Batteries significantly influence EV costs, depending on the vehicle segment. Traditional lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries have their limitations, and this is rapidly emerging alternative battery chemistries show promise. Pune-based KPIT Technologies recently launched its sodium-ion battery technology, and several other companies are in the technology readiness phase. Sodium-ion batteries offer advantages such as lower costs, enhanced safety, and abundant raw materials.
Phinergy, an Israeli cleantech firm, which collaborated with Tata Motors to develop a prototype of the Tata Tiago EV, is utilizing its proprietary aluminum-air battery while Log9 Materials is close to commercializing their aluminum-air technology systems.Charging Infrastructure - Bengaluru-based startup Exponent Energy claims it can charge EVs from 0 to 100% in just 15 minutes while Hopcharge, is revolutionizing convenience with its on-demand, doorstep fast-charging service. Another notable initiative is by GPS Renewables, which has set up an EV charging station in Mumbai powered by biogas.Sustainability - The sustainable journey of EVs encompasses eco-friendly manufacturing, efficient operation, and responsible end-of-life disposal and recycling. Many EV manufacturers have adopted green manufacturing practices and circular economy principles in their operations. Further, startups like Attero, Lico Materials, Metastable Materials, and Lohum Cleantech are pioneering technologies to efficiently recycle lithium-ion batteries. These companies focus on recovering valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, thereby bolstering the battery circular economy and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Lightweighting – Use of advanced lightweight materials is enabling EV manufacturers to either extend vehicle range or minimize size and cost of the battery pack required for a given range. Gurugram-based startup Planet Electric, founded by former ISRO engineers, is making strides in manufacturing four-wheeled cargo EVs. By leveraging materials engineering for lightweighting technologies, they are developing cost-effective solutions that enhance performance while addressing the challenges of battery weight.
Energy Efficiency in Motors - Electric motors are a vital component of EV powertrains and here significant innovations are underway to reduce dependence on rare earth metals. Axial flux motors show potential for improving efficiency and reducing material dependency. Vecmocon is making strides in this arena, offering a comprehensive range of services—including battery management systems, vehicle intelligence, chargers, and instrument clusters. The company plans to expand its offerings to include motor controllers specifically designed for EVs.
Retrofitting - Retrofitting—converting older vehicles into electric models—plays a vital role in accelerating the adoption of electric mobility and one notable startup in this space is RACE Energy, which specializes in creating retrofit kits for transforming conventional three-wheelers into EVs. Similarly, ETrio offers electric kits along with retrofitted electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs). Bengaluru-based E3V Industries is making an impact by producing both EVs and kits designed for the conversion of traditional vehicles to electric. The company emphasizes the use of renewable energy and off-grid power systems to optimize last-mile logistics.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Integration - This technology enables EVs to not only charge from the grid but also discharge energy back into it, potentially stabilizing the grid and creating additional revenue streams for EV owners. Delhi-based battery technology startup Sheru has developed a bidirectional energy flow platform called NetBat, which facilitates vehicle-to-grid (V2G) interactions, allowing EVs to draw power from the grid while also supplying energy back during peak demand periods, thereby enhancing grid stability and efficiency. Sheru has partnered with BSES Rajdhani, a prominent utility company, to implement this. Startups like Magenta Mobility and VoltUp are exploring the integration of smart grid technologies and may expand into V2G services in the future, further advancing the potential of EVs in the energy ecosystem.
Last Mile Mobility - India's rapidly growing urban population and escalating air quality index (AQI) crisis make last-mile mobility a critical sector for innovation. In addition to established vehicle manufacturers including Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, several startups, such as Euler Motors, Bounce, Cell Propulsion, BGauss, Baaz Bikes, Amo Mobility, and Altigreen, are providing last-mile transportation solutions through two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and four-wheeler EVs designed for commercial use. India's competitive advantage in affordability means that many of these solutions are engineered to be cost-effective and accessible, ensuring that electric mobility can reach a broader audience and contribute to a cleaner urban environment.
Battery Swapping - India's expansive automotive market and rapidly growing EV sector make it an attractive hub for collaborations between domestic and international players in the battery swapping space. Domestic companies like Sun Mobility, Chargeup, and Battery Smart provide customers with the ability to swap their EV batteries at designated swap stations, enhancing convenience and reducing downtime. Lithion Power is also exploring battery swapping solutions, particularly for two-wheelers and LCVs. India's strengths in frugal engineering and its talented workforce offer a remarkable opportunity to cement its position as a leader in the global EV ecosystem, driving a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views in the article are of ETAuto Desk only, and provided for general information purposes. The news and editorial staff of ET had no role in the creation of this article nor vouch for or endorse this content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
CNG car demand rising fast amid EV push. What's propelling growth in this segment?
CNG cars offer an alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles and also emit less pollution. CNG cars also cost less to run than petrol or diesel cars. It has gained popularity in India with sales hitting record margins. Check Offers CNG is the new black. The cleaner fuel technology that emits fewer pollutants into the environment, while also not coming with range anxiety that is typically associated with electric vehicles, has been witnessing a rapid surge in demand in the Indian passenger vehicle market. This is one reason beyond the players in this segment, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Hyundai; other OEMs like Renault and Nissan too have started offering CNG as retrofitment kit options for their vehicles in the country. Among others, Toyota also sells CNG cars in India, but the vehicles are originally rebadged versions of Maruti Suzuki models under the global partnership between Suzuki and Toyota. CNG cars recorded 35 per cent YoY growth in CY24 In CY2024, CNG-powered passenger vehicles registered a strong 35 per cent growth in retail sales, which reflects the cleaner fuel's compelling value proposition. Maruti Suzuki, with its 15-model portfolio, recorded more than 500,000 units for the first time annually to hold its firm grip in the CNG segment with a 71.60 per cent share. Tata Motors sold 115,432 units, registering a 16.13 per cent market share. Vahan data revealed that Hyundai and Toyota retailed 71,811 units and 15,815 units, respectively, in the last calendar year. These two OEMs registered 10.04 per cent and 2.21 per cent market shares, respectively. In CY24, Tata's CNG car market share increased the most at 77 per cent, while Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Toyota recorded 30 per cent, 16 per cent and 118 per cent, respectively. Maruti Suzuki, Tata registered significant growth in CNG sales in FY25 Tata Motors, which has been selling its range of passenger vehicles with petrol-CNG bi-fuel powertrains and factory-fitted twin-cylinder CNG kit in models like Tiago, Tigor, Punch, Altroz, etc, has claimed that it has recorded a 35 per cent growth in demand for the CNG passenger vehicles. The homegrown auto giant has sold 1.39 lakh CNG-powered passenger vehicles in FY25 as compared to 91,000 units in FY24, which registered a massive growth. The largest carmaker in India, Maruti Suzuki, sold around 6.2 lakh CNG-powered passenger vehicles in FY25, which marked a year-on-year growth of over 28 per cent. This also represented the fact that one in every three Maruti Suzuki cars sold in FY25 ran on CNG. Interestingly, this number also marked sales beyond the initial target. At the beginning of the previous financial year, the OEM had set a target of selling over six lakh CNG cars. What's propelling CNG car sales growth? India's passenger vehicle market has been undergoing a significant and multi-dimensional transformation. One of the key changes is the widespread adoption of CNG cars. Previously, CNG penetration in the personal vehicles segment was low. It was the fuel of choice in the commercial vehicle segment and in the fleet category. However, the higher petrol and diesel prices have been driving the cost-conscious consumers toward CNG-powered passenger vehicles. This shift in consumer preference toward CNG cars is further amplified by the challenges in the adoption of electric vehicles, which include range anxiety, high upfront cost, inadequate public charging infrastructure, etc. While hybrid is a viable option to fill the gap between the pure ICE (Internal combustion engine) models and electric vehicles, the high cost of acquisition and lack of models' availability in the market are hindering the adoption pace. In such a situation, CNG is filling the gap as a viable fuel solution that is comparatively cheaper in price, offers a lower cost of operation, emits lower pollutants and enjoys the benefits of government regulations as well. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 10 Jun 2025, 11:45 AM IST
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Tata Motors To Launch 30 Models By FY30, 7 To Be All-New Nameplates
Tata Motors has revealed its future roadmap during its latest investor presentation, confirming the introduction of multiple new products in the market. Based on the latest announcement, the Indian automaker will launch up to 30 new products by FY30. This list includes 7 new nameplates and 23 new along with facelifts of the models currently on sale. With this, the automaker will have over 15 nameplates in its lineup covering various segments and powertrain options. While Tata Motors still kept quiet on most of the details, they revealed that the focus will be on SUVs and new body types like coupes and crossovers, which are likely to gain more consumer traction. The Indian automaker also predicted that the MPV bodystyle is likely to see a sharp growth with increasing product offerings in the industry. This is because of the growing appeal of the models as family vehicles. Specifically, the MPV segment is likely to grow by up to 50 per cent in FY30 compared to FY25, while the SUVs will see a growth of up to 55 per cent. For FY26, the brand has already launched models like the latest iteration of the Tiago, Altroz Facelift, and Simultaneously, the automaker plans on diversifying the powertrain range of the Harrier and the Safari, which are on sale. Meanwhile, there are plans to launch the Sierra SUV into the market. The SUV is still under development, with multiple sightings of the camouflage-covered test mules. The list of new nameplates also includes the Avinya range, which until now has been seen only in concept form. The name will likely be used on various body styles, bringing a new design language. The details are yet to be revealed, but we can expect it to have both ICE and EV powertrains. Apart from this, Tata Motors will also offer two new ICE products and EV products. The names and details are still under a veil.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Tata Motors to invest up to ₹35,000 crore in PV business in 5 years; focus on new models and cleaner powertrain tech
Tata Motors is working on a plan to launch a wide range of new cars across different powertrain segments over the next five years. Check Offers Tata Motors is planning to invest up to ₹ 35,000 crore in its passenger vehicle business. The homegrown automobile giant has stated during its investor day presentation on Monday that it plans to invest the amount in the development of electric vehicles as well as new models, which are expected to be launched in the market over the course of the next five years. With this huge investment strategy, the carmaker aims to cement its position as the country's top electric passenger vehicle manufacturer amid the rising competition and greater push to adopt cleaner cars. Tata Motors currently holds the lion's share in the Indian electric passenger vehicle market with its models like the Tiago EV, Tigor EV, Punch EV, Nexon EV, Curvv EV, as well as the newly launched Harrier EV. Besides that, the automaker sells some of the popular SUVs as well, which have been propelling growth for the brand amid the rapidly surging demand for utility vehicles in India. These SUVs include Nexon, Punch, Harrier, Safari, etc. The company is planning to bring the Sierra to the Indian market too, in its EV form as well as ICE guise. Also Read : Upcoming cars in India Reuters has reported that in its investor day presentation, Tata Motors has revealed the plan to nearly double the company's PV product portfolio from eight models to 15. This target will be achieved through launching more electric vehicles and CNG cars. Besides that, there will be technology feature enhancements for the existing vehicles, claims the report. Despite revealing the plan of investment for the next five years, Tata Motors did not share its investment plan for the current financial year, which will end in March 2026. The move from Tata Motors comes at a time when India, the world's third-largest passenger vehicle market, is planning to enforce stricter emission norms starting from 2027. Also, the Indian government wants electric vehicles to form 30 per cent of all car sales in the country by 2030. Intense competition in the combustion engine market has allowed rival Mahindra to overtake Tata. MG Motor has also challenged Tata's EV dominance with the Windsor model, outselling its products since late last year. However, despite that, Tata Motors maintained its target of 16 per cent market share by March 2027, aiming to reach 18-20 per cent by March 2030. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 10 Jun 2025, 06:47 AM IST
