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Time of India
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Smaller e-bike cos slip after FAME red flag
Electric two-wheeler makers penalised for violating Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles-II ( FAME-II ) subsidy norms have seen a collapse in sales, with several smaller players nearly vanishing from the market. The government's crackdown has consolidated market share among a few players. Gurugram-based Okinawa Autotech saw its annual sales nosedive from 31,618 units in 2023 to 4,855 in 2024. In the first half of 2025, it has managed to sell just 1,422 vehicles, according to data from the government's Vahan portal. Ampere Vehicles , owned by Greaves Electric Mobility, also recorded a drop in volumes. Combined sales reported on Vahan under both Ampere and Greaves fell to 26,963 units in 2025 so far, down from 36,148 units in 2024 and 66,958 in 2023. Other manufacturers such as AMO Mobility and Benling India have almost disappeared from the market, selling just 25 and 95 vehicles, respectively, in 2025. Launched in 2019, FAME-II aimed to promote domestic manufacturing by mandating that a fixed percentage of components be sourced locally to qualify for demand incentives. However, between late 2022 and early 2023, the government began investigating multiple companies after receiving complaints of non-compliance. 'The market has been a bit slow but is likely to improve… We are finding our own ways to sell our vehicles,' said Sushant Kumar, founder of AMO Mobility, without elaborating. Hero Electric , once a market leader, is now undergoing insolvency proceedings. The resolution professional has invited bids for the bankrupt company. Hero had 29,965 vehicle registrations in 2023, which plunged to 2,916 units in 2024 and 382 units so far in 2025. 'This is a case of regulatory action that essentially took the wind out of these companies,' said V G Ramakrishnan, managing partner at Avanteum Advisors LLP. 'They benefited from the subsidies without following the rules and ultimately paid the price. They had a business model but failed to invest in localisation or comply with government directives, yet continued to claim incentives.' The decline in registrations follows the Ministry of Heavy Industries' decision to suspend subsidy disbursals after several electric two-wheeler makers were found violating Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) localisation norms under FAME-II. A total of 13 companies came under scrutiny. Six including Hero Electric, Okinawa Autotech, Benling India, AMO Mobility, Greaves Electric Mobility and Revolt Motors were found to have violated the norms. Following detailed audits and vendor invoice checks, these companies were directed to return subsidies, with the total clawback estimated at ₹469 crore. Among these, Revolt, Greaves, and AMO Mobility returned a combined ₹170 crore to the government. Hero Electric, Okinawa Autotech, and Benling India contested the claims and approached the courts. 'The temporary dip in numbers during 2024 was primarily due to a voluntary business pause we undertook while seeking regulatory clarity around the FAME-II subsidy criteria. Like several players in the industry, we faced challenges, which significantly impacted operations across the sector,' said a spokesperson for Greaves Electric Mobility. 'However, following the resolution and payment of dues, we have resumed normal business operations and are witnessing a steady recovery in registrations and market momentum.' Benling India declined to comment on the matter, while Hero Electric's Naveen Munjal, Okinawa, and Revolt Motors and did not respond to queries. In December 2024, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) launched inquiries into Hero Electric, Benling India and Okinawa Autotech for allegedly falsifying documents to show compliance. Raids and document seizures were carried out as part of the probe into the fraudulent availing of subsidies worth ₹297 crore. The loss of subsidies led to sharp price increases across models, denting consumer demand and leading to a collapse in sales at these firms. 'Some companies deliberately ignored the policy, which had commercial consequences,' Ramakrishnan said. 'When the government enforced localisation norms strictly, these firms lost out. But this did not mean the entire market collapsed. In fact, new players entered, and existing compliant players expanded.' While smaller, non-compliant players crumbled, the market share of large, compliant players such as TVS Motor, Bajaj Auto, Ola Electric, and Ather Energy has grown. TVS and Bajaj, leveraging strong supply chains and brand credibility, are now leading the electric two-wheeler segment. Ola Electric, though facing increased regulatory scrutiny and a decline in market share, continues to scale production and remains among the top players. Ather Energy has also benefited from the shake-up, with a steady rise in registrations and continued investments in new models and charging infrastructure. The government, meanwhile, is working on a successor programme, referred to as FAME-III , aimed at promoting electric mobility while ensuring stricter compliance and a stronger focus on domestic manufacturing. The new policy is expected to further support the transition to cleaner mobility and reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuels.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Smaller EV players nearly wiped out as FAME-II crackdown triggers sales collapse
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills ETtech Electric two-wheeler makers penalised for violating Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles-II ( FAME-II ) subsidy norms have seen a collapse in sales, with several smaller players nearly vanishing from the market. The government's crackdown has consolidated market share among a few Okinawa Autotech saw its annual sales nosedive from 31,618 units in 2023 to 4,855 in 2024. In the first half of 2025, it has managed to sell just 1,422 vehicles, according to data from the government's Vahan portal. Ampere Vehicles , owned by Greaves Electric Mobility , also recorded a drop in volumes. Combined sales reported on Vahan under both Ampere and Greaves fell to 26,963 units in 2025 so far, down from 36,148 units in 2024 and 66,958 in manufacturers such as AMO Mobility and Benling India have almost disappeared from the market, selling just 25 and 95 vehicles, respectively, in 2025. Launched in 2019, FAME-II aimed to promote domestic manufacturing by mandating that a fixed percentage of components be sourced locally to qualify for demand incentives. However, between late 2022 and early 2023, the government began investigating multiple companies after receiving complaints of non-compliance.'The market has been a bit slow but is likely to improve… We are finding our own ways to sell our vehicles,' said Sushant Kumar, founder of AMO Mobility, without elaborating. Hero Electric , once a market leader, is now undergoing insolvency proceedings . The resolution professional has invited bids for the bankrupt company. Hero had 29,965 vehicle registrations in 2023, which plunged to 2,916 units in 2024 and 382 units so far in 2025.'This is a case of regulatory action that essentially took the wind out of these companies,' said VG Ramakrishnan, managing partner at Avanteum Advisors LLP. 'They benefited from the subsidies without following the rules and ultimately paid the price. They had a business model but failed to invest in localisation or comply with government directives, yet continued to claim incentives.'The decline in registrations follows the Ministry of Heavy Industries' decision to suspend subsidy disbursals after several electric two-wheeler makers were found violating Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) localisation norms under FAME-II.A total of 13 companies came under scrutiny. Six, including Hero Electric, Okinawa Autotech, Benling India, AMO Mobility, Greaves Electric Mobility and Revolt Motors, were found to have violated the norms. Following detailed audits and vendor invoice checks, these companies were directed to return subsidies , with the total clawback estimated at Rs 469 these, Revolt, Greaves, and AMO Mobility returned a combined Rs 170 crore to the government. Hero Electric, Okinawa Autotech, and Benling India contested the claims and approached the courts.'The temporary dip in numbers during 2024 was primarily due to a voluntary business pause we undertook while seeking regulatory clarity around the FAME-II subsidy criteria. Like several players in the industry, we faced challenges, which significantly impacted operations across the sector,' said a spokesperson for Greaves Electric Mobility. 'However, following the resolution and payment of dues, we have resumed normal business operations and are witnessing a steady recovery in registrations and market momentum.'Benling India declined to comment on the matter, while Hero Electric's Naveen Munjal, Okinawa, and Revolt Motors and did not respond to December 2024, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) launched inquiries into Hero Electric, Benling India and Okinawa Autotech for allegedly falsifying documents to show compliance. Raids and document seizures were carried out as part of the probe into the fraudulent availing of subsidies worth Rs 297 loss of subsidies led to sharp price increases across models, denting consumer demand and leading to a collapse in sales at these firms.'Some companies deliberately ignored the policy, which had commercial consequences,' Ramakrishnan said. 'When the government enforced localisation norms strictly, these firms lost out. But this did not mean the entire market collapsed. In fact, new players entered, and existing compliant players expanded.'While smaller, non-compliant players crumbled, the market share of large, compliant players such as TVS Motor Bajaj Auto , Ola Electric, and Ather Energy has grown. TVS and Bajaj, leveraging strong supply chains and brand credibility, are now leading the electric two-wheeler Electric, though facing increased regulatory scrutiny and a decline in market share, continues to scale production and remains among the top players. Ather Energy has also benefited from the shake-up, with a steady rise in registrations and continued investments in new models and charging government, meanwhile, is working on a successor programme, referred to as FAME-III, aimed at promoting electric mobility while ensuring stricter compliance and a stronger focus on domestic manufacturing. The new policy is expected to further support the transition to cleaner mobility and reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuels.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
IIT-P conducts open house for JEE (Advanced) qualified candidates
Patna: Indian Institute of Technology Patna (IIT-P) successfully conducted its virtual open house for JEE Advanced 2025 qualified candidates and their families on Friday evening, for imparting an insightful overview of the institute's academic offerings, research excellence, and dynamic campus life. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This interactive event was designed to help prospective students and their guardians make informed decisions on joining the institution by showcasing IIT Patna's globally-aligned academic programmes, state-of-the-art infrastructure, innovative research ecosystem, and strong placement and internship opportunities. Participants also explored the vibrant student culture at IIT Patna that supports their holistic growth through clubs, cultural activities, and extracurricular engagements. The open house featured engaging presentations and live question-answer sessions with the institute's leadership, including director T N Singh, academic dean (undergraduate) Sushant Kumar, academic dean (student affairs) P K Tiwari, and several other faculty members. The participants received a detailed overview of 32 major and minor academic programmes across 18 disciplines being conducted in the institution. They were also given the details of an interdisciplinary dual degree (B Tech-MBA) programme offered in collaboration with IIM Mumbai and IIM Bodh Gaya, and a six-month industry internship designed to provide real-world experience. The open house also organised sessions on the key aspects of the JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) counselling process, international research collaborations, and the wide array of student support systems available at IIT Patna. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Virtual Open House served as a valuable platform for aspiring IITians to directly connect with the IIT Patna's functionaries, clarifying their doubts and visualizing their academic journey in the institutions. Many among the 1800 candidates who have qualified from Bihar had also joined the open house, said IIT-P's training-cum-placement officer Kripa Shankar Singh.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Teachers trained to tackle drug abuse
Ranchi: The Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) on Friday conducted an annual district-level training programme aimed at sensitising high-school teachers about drug abuse and equipping them with tools to identify and prevent substance use among students. The training focused on the need to address not only tobacco use but also the exposure of adolescents to stimulants, depressants, opioids, and hallucinogens. Friday's session is part of the department's ongoing efforts to prepare action plan to curb drugs among students. Pankaj Kumar, assistant district project officer said, "This time, we've broadened our scope to include other harmful substances beyond tobacco." Sushant Kumar, consultant, district tobacco control cell, spoke on the root causes of drug abuse, which include curiosity, peer pressure, stress, trauma, family environment, and media influence. Sushant said, "Drug abuse often begins at home when children observe substance use among elders. Schools must step in to break this chain." The training also covered early indicators of drug use, such as sudden behavioural changes, falling academic performance, a shift in peer groups, and noticeable physical symptoms. Teachers were educated on relevant legal frameworks, including Section 6 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act and Juvenile Justice Act, the officials added. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Faking 'green credentials' can hamper brand value; discourage sustainable shopping: IIM study
HighlightsA study by the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, reveals that exaggerating or faking environmental credentials, known as greenwashing, can significantly damage consumer trust and brand value. The research, conducted in collaboration with multiple international universities, developed a framework to analyze consumer reactions to greenwashing using Attribution Theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model. The findings indicate that consumers with greater environmental knowledge are more likely to critically assess green claims and react negatively to brands that engage in greenwashing. Exaggerating or faking " green credentials " can lead to a drop in brand value by damaging trust of consumers and discourage sustainable shopping , a study by Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow has found. The research explored how deceptive green marketing , also knows as " greenwashing ", can create a negative impact on the consumer trust , brand perception, and buying behaviour. Conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Hail, Saudi Arabia, University of Turin, Italy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia, and Institute of Management Studies Ghaziabad, India, the research has been published in the prestigious journal, Business Strategy and the Environment. According to officials, greenwashing has become a common practice among brands to attract consumers, build a positive perception, and manipulate buying behaviour. Unlike earlier studies conducted which were not able to assess how it can affect consumer attitude towards a brand, the research team bridged this gap by studying the psychology of how consumers interpret and react to greenwashing, they said. The team developed a framework using Attribution Theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model. This framework with an emphasis on "situational involvement", meaning the degree of personal relevance a consumer assigns to environmental issues , helped in analysing "why" and "how" people react to greenwashing. "The research team tested the developed framework on 353 consumers from the United States of America and analysed the data using structural equation modelling, a method mostly used in the social and behavioural science fields," said Sushant Kumar, Assistant Professor, Marketing Management, IIM Lucknow. Kumar said that the study found that greenwashing does not just fool people; it also damages brand trust and discourages sustainable shopping. "Greenwashing is dangerous for brands, but consumers appreciate green claims . A business' green claims should be substantiated by evidence that can be verified by consumers. When consumers grow sceptical about a brand exaggerating or faking green credentials, their positive feelings about the brand drop," he said. "People with greater environmental knowledge are more likely to critically assess eco-claims made by the brands and react more strongly," Kumar said. The team now plans to explore several other aspects of consumer behaviour such as recommendation of a brand or product involved in greenwashing. The team also plans to study the consumers' sentiments while consuming green brands and later discovering false claims by the brand.
