Latest news with #SMEC
New Indian Express
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Tesla not interested in manufacturing in India; focussing on showrooms for now: HD Kumaraswamy
MUMBAI: Elon Musk's Tesla is not interested in manufacturing in India, and all they are looking at right now is to showrooms in India, the Minister of Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy said here on Monday after announcing the guidelines for Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SMEC). Though he said once the application window for SMEC policy opens, the real intent of the companies will be known. The SMEC policy which meant for attracting investment from global EV manufacturers will allow those players who apply under the scheme to import completely built units (CBUs) at a 15% import duty against the currently applicable rate of 70%. The government officials told TNIE that Tesla, which had initially shown interest in setting up manufacturing units in India, attended only the first stakeholders' consultation meetings to discuss the details of the scheme. After the first meeting, they skipped the subsequent meetings. It is to be noted that US president Donald Trump has very close links with Tesla promoter Elon Musk and the latter was part of the Trump administration till recently. When asked about Musk's plans to manufacture in India, Trump had commented it would be very unfair if Musk builds a factory in India. India and the US are negotiating a trade deal and it is said that India might agree to lower tariffs on imports of cars, which varies from 70-10%. Under the India-UK trade deal, which was concluded recently, India has agreed to reduce the tariff on cars to 10%. However, small EVs have been kept out of the purview of the deal.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘I want him to have an amazing full life': South Coast program supporting adults with disabilities
For people with disabilities, schools are often the biggest support system outside of the family. But what happens when someone ages out of school? As Boston 25 News highlights the 50th anniversary of the law creating modern special education, we're taking you to a program for adults on the South Coast, ensuring they are living meaningful lives. 'For our folks, this is their circle,' said Catherine Cooper, Executive Director of the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC). SMEC administers a program known as 'SAIL' or Supporting Adults for Inclusive Living. Boston 25 News recently visited SAIL during a music class where we found participants making music while creating community. Located in Dartmouth, SAIL provides 24-hour support for people with disabilities. 'They have members of the community, then they have similar interests, similar skills, similar likes, and we are able to kind of offer things that suit those needs,' said Cooper. ' SAIL, Cooper says, is for students who are eligible for adult services through state contracts, through state funding, we the SAIL program which is funded by contracts with the Department of Developmental Services. She says the goal of the program is to ensure participants have full, independent lives. Adam Howland has down syndrome and is largely non-verbal. Later is in life he was also diagnosed with autism. The 50-year-old has been a big part of this community for decades. Sister, Heather Hooley says it was always important to their family that Adam have his own life, his own identity and that people on the outside world understand that he can. 'He loves to laugh, he loves jokes, he catches on very quickly to a lot of sarcasm,' said Hooley. Hooley says her brother can and does enjoy music and dance, books, and family time. 'He needs to have a good life. We all need to have good life, just some of us need more support,' said Hooley. There is a lot of support at SAIL says program director Sean Mitchell. 'Employment supports, residential supports, like for Adam. And we also have our day program, where we teach a lot of independent living skills and try to make sure that they have meaningful time,' Mitchell said. 'I remember thinking like once he gets to a certain age and there aren't people to take care of him, what's going to happen? And I just assumed I would take him on,' said Hooley. But now Hooley says her brother, Adam has found the support he needs to live on his own and even work. And he's not just living but having a life. 'He's surrounded by people who just really listen to him differently and respect him,' she said. 'I want him to have an amazing full life. He's, he's an amazing guy.' This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Perth Now
08-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Council holds hope for trackless tram along busy Perth road
Two elections packed with promises and cash splashes have now come and gone since the City of Stirling released its business case for a $860 million trackless tram project, but the initiative has failed to secure any financial backing. Last October, the city released a 675-page business case prepared by engineering consultant group SMEC after a $2m grant by the previous Coalition government in 2021. The report found the project would be economically feasible and viable, with total benefits over a 30-year period estimated at $586m, given that transport and related issues in the activity corridor currently cost the local economy $50.8m per annum. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Despite the apparent lack of interest in the project, the city remains hopeful about its proposal, confident that the business case will stand the test of time, and reiterated its long-term commitment to bring it to fruition. 'The city's Trackless Tram Business Case represents a long-term vision for the urban regeneration of the Scarborough Beach Road Urban Corridor,' a city spokesperson said. 'As transport technology continues to evolve, the type of vehicle may change if it is recognised that it can deliver benefits above and beyond what was identified in the city's Trackless Tram Business Case.' The city ran a trial of the trackless tram in November 2023. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian However, WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti told PerthNow the State Government had no intention of backing the proposal, firmly distancing it from the project. 'The trackless tram experiment had the backing of the previous Liberal and National Federal Government, but we've been very clear it's not something our government supports,' she said. 'The business case lists the cost of this project at around $860m and uses fully imported trackless trams. We don't support importing, and this is not something we will be undertaking.' With several major Metronet projects now coming to a close, the city said the State Government's focus was shifting towards improving connectivity to train stations and believes its proposal should be a key part of this. 'The planning focus is now turning to complementing and connecting the heavy rail network to the broader community through the consideration of mid-tier transit solutions,' a spokesperson said. 'This planning aims to identify and prioritise routes and works staging to progress to investment decisions. The Scarborough Beach Road Urban Corridor has been identified as a priority at this stage.' The proposed trackless tram route, stretching 7km from Glendalough station to Scarborough Beach along Scarborough Beach Road, features 11 stops, with an average spacing of 750 metres. The trackless tram runs on rubber tyres. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell More than 1000 residents took part in the city's trackless tram trial in November 2023. The trial was delivered in partnership with Curtin University, Chinese state-owned vehicle manufacturer CRRC and Shanghai Electric and Infrastructure Technology Solutions. According to the city, a survey showed 76 per cent of residents supported trackless trams as a public transport option. The vehicle tested could travel at a speed of 70 km/h, carry up to 150 passengers and operated on rubber tyres. The trackless tram trial even won the Productivity Through Infrastructure award at the 2024 National Awards for Local Government. But given the project's hefty price tag and role of local government, the city said it would not be footing the bill. Instead, it was simply advocating for the project's implementation. 'There is no intent for this council to spend money, the council has never said it is going to implement any sort of public transport system, this is an advocacy piece for better transport for our community,' A City spokesperson previously stated. Inside the trackless tram that was tested. Credit: Jackson Flindell / Jackson Flindell Prior to this year's State election, the Labor Party pledged $14.2m towards a free CAT bus service from Stirling station to Scarborough Beach if re-elected, known as the 'Surf Cat'. The Surf CAT is expected to run every 10 minutes during peak times, linking Stirling station to Scarborough Beach via Ellen Stirling Boulevard and Scarborough Beach Road in less than 15 minutes. The Surf CAT is expected to be operational by next summer.
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Business Standard
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
EV car policy may be tweaked based on free trade agreement outcomes
The Centre notified SMEC in March last year to turn India into a hub of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing Listen to This Article The Centre is open to modifying its Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SMEC) on the basis of the outcomes of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the US and other free trade agreements (FTAs), according to a senior government official. If the discussions yield to slashing tariffs on imported cars to 15 per cent, similar to what is mentioned in the SMEC, with specified investment numbers, the government may revise the policy accordingly to keep it attractive to global auto manufacturers, the official said. At present, India is involved in BTA talks with
