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, 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.”
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.”