Page 12 - ITLN November - December 2024

Cover Story Edition
Automotive
Logistics 8 th

without additional emissions tests, DECEMBER
thus boosting its competitiveness. 2024 5
However, challenges remain, SHERATON GRAND, PUNE
particularly from Chinese competitors
who dominate the EV market. Thakkar
pointed out that China maintains an Navigating the Future of Logistics
advantage in battery manufacturing
and economies of scale, allowing it to
maintain battery cell costs at $55-$70 for Indian Automotive Industry
per kWh compared to India's $150-
$200 per kWh. This pricing advantage is Join us in discovering the unheard stories of India’s
bolstered by China's robust domestic EV
market, where EVs constitute 20-25% of state electricity distribution companies, automotive manufacturing and logistics sector.
passenger vehicle sales. such as Tata Power and MSEDCL,
Thakkar also highlighted that address the "chicken-and-egg"
rising geopolitical tensions and tariff problem—where low EV volumes deter EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
increases in markets like the EU and charging investments, while limited Panel Discussions | Expert Insights | Networking
the US might drive China to seek infrastructure restricts EV adoption.
alternative markets and reassess Thakkar believes these partnerships
its pricing strategies, which could will become more refined over time,
indirectly benefit India. He emphasised accelerating the expansion of charging
that India's progress would depend infrastructure as EV penetration grows.
on initiatives like KABIL to secure Echoing Thakkar's sentiments,
raw materials and invest in localised Pathak emphasised the need for
production and advanced technology. regulatory stability from governments
Pathak further stressed the while private players focus on innovation
importance of creating a resilient Although the Indian EV and infrastructure investment,
supply chain for critical EV market is growing, it particularly in charging stations. He
components, especially batteries and has not yet reached the highlighted the importance of merging
semiconductors, which India heavily expected pace. private investments with government
imports from China. He recommended initiatives to establish uniform safety
focusing on local manufacturing, Om Vijayvargiya standards and meet urban needs
diversifying supply sources, and Schaeffler India aligned with sustainability goals.
utilising government initiatives such Kaur from ICCT pointed out the
as the Production-Linked Incentive these gaps and accelerate EV adoption government's essential role in
(PLI) scheme to bolster domestic nationwide," added Kaur. providing funding, policy frameworks,
supply chains. and incentives to reduce financial
Pathak also emphasised the role Impact of PPPs in India's auto burdens on private entities, bringing
of digital transformation, with supply chain innovation and market efficiency. She
advanced analytics and AI helping Thakkar and Pathak both stressed referenced successful partnerships in
predict and mitigate potential the pivotal role of public-private India, such as Indian Oil and Bharat
disruptions. He highlighted the growing partnerships (PPPs) in driving EV Petroleum, which installed over 7,000
frequency and impact of supply chain infrastructure development. Thakkar fast-charging stations.
disruptions, such as those experienced pointed out that over 75% of EV Kaur noted global examples from
during the semiconductor shortage, charging in India happens at home, France and the UK, where government FOR PARTNERSHIPS Renju Raju renju@statmediagroup.com +91 8879045963
and stressed the need for proactive, with public fast-charging networks, incentives and private collaboration SILVER PARTNER
dynamic strategies to address particularly for buses and fleet vehicles, have addressed charging infrastructure ORGANISED BY PRESENTING PARTNER GOLD PARTNER
these challenges. gradually improving. However, intercity gaps. She mentioned how policies
"Additionally, improving consumer travel still faces challenges due to like the FAME II scheme have made
awareness and investing in capacity limited charging infrastructure, with EVs more competitive, alongside state
building for EV maintenance will further fewer than 200,000 EVs on the road, policies that lower the total cost of
enhance the ecosystem. With initiatives leading to low utilisation rates. ownership. Initiatives like PM E-DRIVE ASSOCIATE PARTNERS EXHIBITING PARTNER
like PM E-DRIVE, which allocates Thakkar emphasised that have increased consumer confidence,
₹2,000 crore for charging infrastructure, collaborations between manufacturers, while stricter fuel economy regulations CARGOFL
there is a strong foundation to address charge point operators (CPOs), and could further push EV production and Your AI Supply Chain Tech Platform
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