India Amends Bio-Fuel Policy, Hikes Introduction of E20

News: Indian Subcontinent

2022-06-25

India Amends Bio-Fuel Policy, Hikes Introduction of E20

INDIA REPORT 

Aditya Kondejkar

The government of India has amended its National Policy on Bio-fuels that will accelerate the adoption of E20, allow the use of new bio-fuel feedstocks, and grant permission for bio-fuel exports under certain conditions. 

Source: Ethanol Producer Magazine     Read The Article

PSR Analysis: To tackle soaring fuel oil prices, India plans to introduce 20% ethanol blending with gasoline in several regions of the county beginning in April 2023, and it will be implemented nationwide starting in FY25. The Indian government has expediated the process to increase local oil production and the transition to alternative fuels to reduce the dependencies on other countries. Currently, India is using a 10% mixture of ethanol and gasoline.

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2022-05-23

PMI Electro To Set Up EV Manufacturing Plant in Maharashtra

INDIA REPORT 

Aditya Kondejkar

Electric bus maker PMI Electro announced the setting up of its largest EV manufacturing plant with annual production capacity of 2,500 vehicles at Chakan in Maharashtra.

Source: Economic Times       Read The Article

PSR Analysis: PMI operates a manufacturing facility in Delhi, India’s capital region, which has an annual production capacity of about 1,500 electric buses. With the planned facility in Pune, the total annual manufacturing capacity of PMI will grow to 4,000 electric CVs, the company said. The new plant will be capable of manufacturing electric CVs in multiple variants as well as electric trucks.

The company said it has received an order size of 1,000 electric CVs (Commercial Vehicles) under FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme of the central government. PSR

Aditya Kondejkar is Research Analyst – South Asia Operations, for Power Systems Research

Tata Motors: Electrification Is an Irreversible Trend

Tata Motors recently unveiled the electric avatar of its most popular small commercial vehicle Ace. The company said it has booked orders for 39,000 units from top e-commerce players. India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer plans to transform commercial vehicles to achieve a net-zero target by 2070 for the country.  PSR

Aditya Kondejkar is Research Analyst – South Asia Operations, for Power Systems Research

2022-03-20

Piaggio Developing Electric Scooter For Indian Market

INDIA REPORT 
Aditya Kondejkar

Piaggio, which sells electric scooters in Europe, is developing products specifically for India but it will take 18-24 months to enter the market. It will focus on scooters and not launch electric motorcycles.

The large automaker has 2024 in its sights as a realistic go-to-market timeline for the new scooter.

“We are interested in providing customers with a solution in the two-wheeler space that (makes sense) even beyond the effect of subsidies. It is a matter of fact that the players that have entered recently in this space are gaining volumes on the base of subsidies,” says Diego Graffi, MD & CEO Piaggio India

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2022-02-20

Union Budget Push To Expand Highways and EVs

INDIA REPORT 
Aditya Kondejkar

The 2022-2023 Budget is focused on building long-term strength using investment as the growth lever while maintaining policy stability and inclusivity. The 35% increased capex outlay, major infrastructure projects like 25,000 km road construction, 100 Cargo terminals, Project GatiShakti, 5G network, optic fiber cable laying and the recent PLI schemes are major positives.

Source: Auto Guide India    Read The Article

 “The blueprint of a digitally enabled, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, coupled with measures that will drive sustainable yet inclusive growth at a rapid pace for the next twenty-five years. These are the bedrock of the proposals announced in the Union Budget 2022-23, as we redefine our economy in a post-pandemic world. Setting the direction for creation of urban fossil fuel free zones, policy for battery swapping and energy as service and incentives for creating a vibrant start-up eco system, India could soon emerge as a fore-runner of green mobility solutions for the world” – Sunjay J Kapur, President ACMA (Automobile component manufacturers association of India)

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2022-01-22

Cabinet Okays Rs 76,000-cr Semiconductor Plan

INDIA REPORT 
Aditya Kondejkar

The India Cabinet has cleared a Rs 76,000-cr incentive plan for semiconductors that will set up more than 20 semiconductor design, components manufacturing and display fabrication units over the next six years.

A specialized and independent “India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)” was launched Dec. 29, 2021, to drive the long-term strategies for developing a sustainable semiconductor and display ecosystem in India. The ISM will act as the nodal agency for efficient and smooth implementation of the schemes on semiconductors and display ecosystem.

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On December 15, 2021, India’s Union Cabinet approved the Program for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India, with an outlay of  US$10 billion (INR 760 billion) for the development of a sustainable semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India.

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2021-12-19

MG Motors Plans To Make India An Export Hub

Aditya Kondejkar

MG Motor India is considering the possibility of exporting shipments from India to markets such as South Africa and the UK along with tapping other right-hand-drive markets across the globe. Despite the current semiconductor shortage, MG motors plans to prepare for a long-term vision of increasing its exports from India. The start  of the company’s South Africa operations has been delayed due to Covid-19.

MG motors has started exporting their vehicles to Nepal, and the company is preparing for the long term to make India an export hub for the neighboring markets. The carmaker has already dispatched its first batch of Hector SUVs to Nepal and plans to add Astor and ZS EV to the lineup in the Himalayan country next year.

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2021-11-21

Assembly of Russian Railway Machine Kits Started in India

Technical specialist of Sinara Transport Machines (STM) has started work on assembly of RTM-32 kits in India. They also will supervise trial starts of finished machines. Kit assembly works are performed under a State program “Made in India”, if there is a localization level of 51%.

Based on Russian kits, there will be made rail padding and straightening machines, which are used during railway construction, repair, and maintenance. Also, the machines are working with wooden and concrete rail ties. Assembly is based on the production plant of San Engineering & Locomotives Co. Ltd, located in Bangalore which is acting as STM partner in the project.

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Chip Shortages Cause Worst Festive Season in Decade for Auto Industry

Aditya Kondejkar

2021’s festive period from Navratri to Diwali (October) marked the worst performance for India automakers in nearly a decade. Usually, sales of PVs peak during the period, however, the demand was much lower this year. 

Further, two-wheeler and tractor sales dropped by about 10%. The major reason for this drop is supply-side challenges on semiconductors and lack of demand in entry-level segments for both PVs and two-wheelers.

In the commercial vehicles space, the situation was somewhat better with an increase in demand for interstate movement of goods.

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2021-10-23

Personal Mobility Segment Lacks Sparkle, Stocks, Demand Drop

Aditya Kondejkar

Passenger vehicles sales dropped 41% to around 160k units in September as the shortage of semi-conductors disrupted production at most of the OEMs. OEMs are facing supply shortages rather than demand problems. We are seeing robust customer demand as increasing preferences towards personal mobility increase.

2-wheel sales declined 17% to 1.5 million units in September. The Motorcycle segment is heavily impacted as sales is dropped 23% in September. Owing to high vehicle acquisition costs and high fuel prices, inquiries regarding new vehicles have dropped significantly compared with last years’ level.

“Indian automobile industry continues to face new challenges, said Kenichi Ayukawa, President, SIAM. “While on one hand, we are seeing a revival in vehicle demand, on the other hand, shortage of semi-conductor chips is causing a major concern for the industry. Many members have curtailed their production plans.”

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PSR Analysis: So, we believe the on road segments have witnessed a V-shaped recovery since the second wave of COVID-19 and won’t see a regular festive season spike for this year.   PSR

Aditya Kondejkar is Research Analyst – South Asia Operations, for Power Systems Research