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Bosch at the IAA Mobility: Safe, emissions-free, and exciting mobility – now and in the future

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Bosch offers visitors an interactive, hands-on experience
  • Batteries and fuel cells: electrical powertrains make mobility more sustainable.
  • Drivers and vehicles: assisted and automated driving enhance road-safety and comfort.
  • On the road and at home: vehicles are connected to the internet, increasing safety and comfort.

Cars, e-bikes, motorcycles, scooters, electric race cars: Bosch is rolling out mobility solutions for all types of vehicles, and is even making smartphones and people’s homes an integral part of mobility. At IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, the supplier of technology and services will be showcasing its solutions for personalized, automated, connected, and electrified mobility. Bosch will be in exhibition hall B3 at booth C30 and in the bike area, in the Messe West parking garage, and downtown at Königsplatz and Odeonsplatz.

At the trade fair and downtown – get in, get on, try it out

Bosch show car: In the future, more and more vehicles will be electrically powered. They will increasingly be connected with other road users and their surroundings, assume more and more of the driving task themselves, and provide personalized services for their occupants. Bosch technology for automated, electrified, personalized, and connected mobility is paving the way for this future vision of mobility. The company has the systems know-how and comprehensive software and hardware expertise that this requires. For example, Bosch is developing central computers for the electronics architecture of the future. These vehicle computers are used for assisted and automated driving, controlling vehicle motion, as well as for cockpit functions and body electronics. (Trade fair: Hall B3, booth C30)

Driverless parking: Bosch and nine project partners will present the future of parking in a live demonstration. In the automated valet parking system developed jointly by Bosch and Mercedes-Benz, a smartphone command directs cars automatically to their assigned parking bays without the need for driver supervision. Interplay between the intelligent parking garage infrastructure and the vehicle technology makes this possible. Sensors in the parking garage monitor the driving aisle and its surroundings while guiding the vehicle. The in-car technology converts the commands from the infrastructure into safe driving maneuvers. A joint project with the association of the German automotive industry (VDA) shows how vehicles from different manufacturers will be able to communicate with infrastructure technology from various suppliers in the future. Against this backdrop, the project partners are also working on an international standard (ISO 23374). (Live demonstrations several times a day in the Messe West parking garage)

An enhanced cycling experience: E-bikes are the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe. Riding an electrically assisted bike is good for people’s health and the environment – as well as a lot of fun. Connected products and services enhance the cycling experience and connect e-bikers with the digital world. Bosch will be showcasing new connected-biking solutions and allowing visitors to see for themselves just how much fun power-assisted cycling can be. (Trade fair: Hall B3, booth C30; bike area B5, Blue Lane Micromobility: Brienner Straße; open space: Königsplatz and Odeonsplatz)

Bosch is electrifying mobility and helping mitigate global warming

Bosch wants to be a key player in climate-neutral mobility. The company has set itself the goal of making all vehicle classes ready for upcoming emissions requirements. As an innovation leader, Bosch has a broader electric driving portfolio than any other company – from e-bikes to passenger cars to heavy trucks.

Battery-electric power for two- and four-wheeled vehicles: From powertrains to steering systems to brakes, Bosch’s portfolio includes all the building blocks for the electrification of passenger cars. One component is the e-axle, which combines the power electronics, electric motor, and transmission in a single unit. And with its pre-integrated system solutions for vehicle platforms, Bosch helps automakers bring electric vehicles to market faster than before. The key is the optimized interaction of the powertrain, steering, braking, and vehicle control in the advanced driving module, which is combined with partner solutions to form a complete axle module for the front and rear axles. Alongside efficient powertrains, Bosch also uses thermal management to increase the range of electric and hybrid vehicles. Precise control of currents of hot and cold air improves the efficiency of the battery and ensures that all components are working within their optimum temperature range. Bosch also offers drives and control units for electric two-wheelers. Integrated in a compact system, the two components ensure precise control of the motor, reliable riding performance, and optimum torque development.

Fuel-cell system: Mobile fuel cells offer long ranges and short refueling times. Where they really come into their own is on long-haul routes and in commercial vehicles. With green hydrogen, fuel cells enable vehicles to be operated CO2-free. Bosch develops all the key system components to production readiness – including complete systems. For the stack, which converts hydrogen and ambient oxygen into electrical energy, the company is working with the Swedish specialist Powercell. Large-scale manufacturing of the stack is set to begin in 2022, and the launch of the complete fuel-cell system – the Bosch fuel-cell power module – is scheduled for 2023.

Services for electromobility: Bosch’s Battery in the Cloud prolongs the life of electric car batteries. Smart software functions in the cloud continually analyze battery status and take appropriate action to prevent or slow cell aging. The tamper-proof “usage certificate” documents the condition of the battery throughout its entire service life, thus giving a better picture of the battery’s residual value if the car is sold. With charging services such as Convenience Charging, Bosch makes it easy and straightforward for drivers of electric cars to find – and pay at – publicly accessible charging stations. In addition, the integrated recharging and navigation solution allows for a precise range forecast and route planning that includes recharging stops – and comes with the option to set personal preferences, such as charging stations next to restaurants.

High-speed electromobility: For everyday life and for the racetrack – Bosch is committed to becoming the leading supplier of electrified powertrain solutions, both in electromobility for production vehicles and in electrified motorsports. The company has entered into a long-term technology and development partnership with the DRAGON/PENSKE AUTOSPORT Formula E Team. And those who want to experience driving the racing series courses virtually and compete with others for the best time can do just that in two simulators. (Open space: Königsplatz)

Recharging at home: Bosch’s intelligent energy manager makes it possible for homeowners to reduce CO2 emissions and save energy costs. Serving as an interface between a Bosch heat pump and a photovoltaic system, it optimizes the use of home-generated solar energy and distributes it intelligently throughout the building. Alongside heating and hot water, it will also be possible to integrate electric cars into the Bosch energy management system in the future. Compatible wallboxes can then be deployed to recharge vehicles using as much home-generated electricity as possible.

Bosch is automating driving and making roads safer

Less stress, smoother traffic flows, greater safety – vehicles that assume more driving tasks themselves are a key building block for tomorrow’s mobility. An automated vehicle must be able to do everything a human driver can: perceive its surroundings, make decisions, and accelerate, brake, and steer. Step by step, Bosch is laying the technical foundations for automated driving. With its driver assistance systems, it is already paving the way for all levels of automation.

Driverless parking

Surround sensing for all traffic situations: Sensor technology forms the basis for assisted and increasingly automated driving. To drive safely, the vehicle must be able to reliably recognize objects, people, and other road users. Bosch’s multi-purpose camera combines traditional image-processing algorithms with artificial intelligence (AI) methods. Using AI, the camera understands and interprets what it sees, ensuring reliable object recognition and good surround sensing. In addition to camera, radar, and ultrasonic sensors, Bosch is also developing a long-range lidar, for which it employs various sensor principles. The more complex the driving task, the more important their interaction.

Localization technology for exact positioning: Automated vehicles need to know exactly where they are at all times. Bosch offers a comprehensive package of hardware, software, and services that allows automated vehicles to precisely determine their own location. The VMPS (vehicle motion and position sensor) uses satellite navigation signals to identify the exact position, augmented by data from a correction service and information from the steering-angle and wheel-speed sensors. The Bosch road signature cloud-based map service uses data from radar and video sensors as well as vehicle motion data to create additional layers for high-resolution maps. Volkswagen Golf 8 vehicles are currently collecting this information on Europe’s roads.

Redundant braking and steering systems for safe and energy-saving driving maneuvers: Better safe than sorry – this holds especially true for safety-relevant functions in automated driving. Thanks to multiple redundancy, Bosch’s electric steering system offers additional safety. In the rare event of a malfunction, the system is still capable of retaining 50 percent of its electric steering functionality. Bosch has also integrated a redundant architecture into the design of its braking systems: should either the iBooster (the electromechanical brake booster) or the ESP electronic stability program fail, the other component can brake the vehicle. A second braking unit serves as a backup for the integrated power brake system, which combines brake boosting technology and ESP functionality. This is an especially important requirement in automated vehicles. In addition, Bosch’s regenerative braking systems help save CO2: in a very smooth process, which is unnoticeable for the driver, they make it possible to switch between generator and friction braking, thus enabling braking energy to be converted back into electrical energy and fed back into the battery every time the vehicle is braked.

Services for automated driving: Bosch’s predictive road-condition services raise the alert in the event of potential hazards long before critical situations develop. They provide real-time information about road conditions and risks such as aquaplaning, ice, and snow. This enables automated vehicles to correctly anticipate road conditions, adapt their driving behavior to the conditions, choose a different route, or even ask the driver to take control.

Bosch connects vehicles with each other and with their surroundings

Indoor monitoring for better occupant protection

Vehicles that warn each other of danger, keep a protective eye on their occupants, and communicate with the smart home – Bosch connects systems, components, and services inside and outside the vehicle, making mobility more efficient, safer, and more relaxed. Users, vehicles, and surroundings are seamlessly connected, making driving more enjoyable and providing a personalized mobility experience.

Smart car meets smart home: Bosch is turning cars into the command centers for smart homes: using Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX infotainment system, Bosch Smart Home applications can be controlled by voice command from the vehicle. In addition to shutters and heating thermostats, the system can also be used to control light switches and smart adapters, and to check the status of motion detectors and door/window contacts. Using voice commands allows the driver to stay focused on the road.

Guardian angel for all areas of life: In the shape of Help Connect, Bosch has developed a digitally connected emergency call system for motorcycles and other vehicles. A smart crash algorithm added to the acceleration sensors in the Bosch MSC motorcycle stability control system allows accidents to be detected. A smartphone app transmits information about the accident scene and the rider to a service center, and from there to the emergency services. If the motorcycle has no permanently installed accident detection system, the sensor data from the smartphone can be used to initiate the emergency response. Bosch Help Connect can also provide assistance at home, in the gym, or when out cycling.

Indoor monitoring for better occupant protection: Bosch has developed a system comprising cameras and AI that can increase the safety of vehicle occupants. The interior monitoring system detects driver drowsiness and distraction, or if occupants are in an unsafe seating position. It warns inattentive drivers, recommends a break if they are getting tired, and can reduce vehicle speed – depending on the automaker’s wishes and legal requirements. The system also enhances convenience by automatically adjusting the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel height in line with individual preferences – as well as enabling gesture control of the infotainment system.

Wrong-way driver alert: Bosch’s cloud-based wrong-way driver warning system warns both the wrong-way driver and all road users at risk of the impending danger within seconds – much faster than traffic news on the radio. In early 2021, ŠKODA became the first automaker worldwide to opt for Bosch’s digital guardian angel. The lifesaving warning is flashed up directly on the display in the vehicle cockpit. As an app solution for smartphones, this service already has 2.5 million active users in 20 European countries.

Smartphones as car keys: With Perfectly Keyless, sensors in the car recognize the owner’s smartphone as securely as a fingerprint and open the vehicle only at their request. The cell phone thus displaces the conventional car key. Thanks to ultra-wideband technology, the system also offers other practical everyday advantages: it is even easier to maneuver the car into tight parking spaces by remote control or to open the trunk remotely so that package handlers can deposit deliveries in it. For large parking lots where it is difficult to locate vehicles, Perfectly Keyless helps find the way to the car and illuminates the path by switching on the headlights, providing extra safety in the dark.

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Electric Vehicles

EV Opportunities for start-ups in India

by admin
written by admin
ARK Infosolutions PVT LTD, a leading Value-added distributor of products from Media & Entertainment, Manufacturing, Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Higher & Creative Education.
Shishir Garg
Country Manager – Digital Manufacturing | ARK Infosolutions Pvt. Ltd.

India is quickly moving in the direction of e-mobility with the intent to increase demand for electric vehicles (EV’s). Also, the support from government in terms of easing regulations, launching new schemes to incentivise the customers and manufacturers, reduction in battery cost and availability of charging infrastructure are expected to be instrumental for mass and quick adoption of EV’s. The booming EV market will be a major contributor for the economic growth in the automotive sector as well as for generating jobs.

The industry is expected to be moving away from fossil fuels to Electric Vehicles very fast and it is expected to have around 58% of the market share by 2030. The demand will surge for all, across the automotive segment. However, more surge is expected in the two and three wheelers segment in the next 3-5 years.

This huge growth will bring lots of opportunities and challenges for the automotive sector in the country.

Challenges:

●  Lack of Charging infrastructure

●  Lack of Battery and Motor Manufacturing

●  Lack of Trained Manpower

●  High Initial cost

●  R&D Activities Opportunities for Start-ups: Start-ups will play a pivotal role in the evolving e-mobility space, charging infrastructure and mobility are the key opportunities for start-ups. Additionally, Battery and Motor Manufacturing would be another growth opportunity for the start-ups, and for this they need to adopt technologies like Ansys (Simulation) and Stratasys (3D Printers) to design and develop better and safer products. These solutions will help them to reduce cost and time to market by understanding the behaviour of products in different environments and conditions digitally. Also, with the use of 3D printing technology, companies need not to wait for months for the costly tooling’s – even for prototyping purposes. 3D printers will help them to reduce product development cost dramatically, on-demand availability of physical prototypes, mass customization and additionally can be used in many other ways to innovate and design better products. Also, in 2019, Government of India launched the FAME II scheme, thru which the government has proposed to invest about USD 1.4 billion to incentivize the production of electric vehicles in the country. However, FAME II policy also requires 50% localization in vehicle production to avail of the incentive. This will give huge opportunities to start-ups for exploring the manufacturing opportunities in India.

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Electric Vehicles

Ola launches electric category in London as part of its global commitment to greener, more sustainable future

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Ola EV is a new, fully electric vehicle only category, available across London at no extra charge

Ola, one of the world’s leading mobility companies, announced that it is launching a new electric vehicle category on its ride hailing platform, which will allow riders to specifically book rides in a fully electric vehicle. The category, called Ola EV, is a global first for Ola and will be available across London from today and over time will roll out to other cities around the world where Ola is operational. The Ola EV category will cost riders the same as a comfort category on the Ola app. Ola EV has 700 drivers across London and this is expected to grow quickly over the coming months.

This is the first step in a series of measures Ola will make over the coming months, detailing its commitment to green transport networks, zero-emission travel and further supporting the Mayor of London’s bold plans to improve air quality across the capital.

Mahindra Electric is revolutionising India’s last and first mile commute

To incentivize drivers to use the new Ola EV category, Ola will offer a market-leading 0% commission rate for the first 3 months for all electric rides. Post the launch, Ola plans on extending offers through key partnerships to provide easy and affordable options for drivers and riders to shift to fully electric vehicles.

This driver-centric approach will help to significantly increase the number of fully electric Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) in use and will also empower riders with an additional green option for their travel needs. 

Ola has taken a holistic approach to sustainability and electric mobility. The company recently announced the launch of the world’s largest two wheeler factory in Tamil Nadu, to build its range of electric two wheelers. Ola is building this Futurefactory at record speed, with its first phase expected to be operational this summer and the full factory ready by next year. The company’s electric two-wheelers will be produced in this facility which will be spread across 500 acres of land with 10 production lines and a staggering capacity of 10 million units/year. Ola plans to launch the vehicle in the UK and Europe in the near future.

Ola will also provide charging solutions to all its electric two-wheeler customers with the recently unveiled the Ola Hypercharger Network, the charging network for its upcoming two wheeler products starting with the Ola Scooter to be launched in the coming months. Ola will offer the most comprehensive set of charging options to its electric vehicle customers through a combination of widely deployed high-speed Ola Hyperchargers and the home-charger that will come bundled with the Ola Scooter.

Marc Rozendal, Managing Director of Ola UK, said: “Since launching in the UK, Ola has consistently looked to innovate and help solve the toughest mobility challenges. The launch of Ola EV is another great example, offering riders and drivers the opportunity to play their part in the journey to emission free rides. I am especially proud of the initiatives we are putting in place to help drivers make the switch to fully electric vehicles and that we have been able to do this at no extra cost to riders. I am excited to launch this category as a global first for Ola and while Ola EV will start in London, we can’t wait to begin expanding it across the country and cities around the world.”


Drivers looking to sign up for Ola’s new category Ola EV can register at https://ola.co.uk/

About Ola:

Ola is India’s largest mobility platform and one of the world’s largest ride-hailing companies. Ola revolutionised urban mobility by making it available on demand for over a billion people across 3 continents. Today, Ola continues to move the world to sustainable mobility through its ride hailing platform as well as through advanced electric vehicles manufactured at its Futurefactory, the largest, most advanced and sustainable two wheeler factory in the world. Ola is dedicated to transitioning the world to sustainable mobility and making the world better than we found it.

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Railways

RAILWAYS ​LIFELINE TO THE NATION

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Indian Railways plans to run on 100 percent electricity by 2024 and become a net-zero emission network by 2030.

4th largest railway system in the world

4th largest rail freight carrier in the world

Single largest employer in India and 8th largest in the world

The Indian rail network has 123,542 km of total tracks over a 67,415 km route and about 7,300 stations. The railways run close to 13,000 passenger trains that carry over 23 mn passengers daily. The Indian Railways transported over 109.68MT of freight in November 2020. Indian Railways is the third largest railway sector in the world under single management, the Indian railways was expected to grow with government resourcefulness. The investments in railways, one of 34 infrastructure sub-sectors across the country, was estimated to amount to approximately 124 billion U.S. dollars between 2018 and 2022. Indian Railways’ revenue increased at a CAGR of 6.20% during FY08-FY19 to US$ 27.13 billion in FY19. Earnings from the passenger business grew at a CAGR of 6.43% during FY07-FY19 to reach US$ 7.55 billion in FY19P. Freight revenue rose at a CAGR of 4.30% during FY08-FY19 to reach US$ 18.20 billion in FY19.

Revenue growth has been strong over the years. Indian Railways’ gross revenue stood at Rs 183,092.74 crore (US$ 26.20 billion) in FY20 (till February 2020). Freight earnings in FY20 (till February 2020) stood at Rs 119,216.11 crore (US$ 17.06 billion). Passenger earnings for Indian Railways was estimated at 51,077.73 crore (US$ 7.31 billion) in FY20 (till February 2020). Freight remains the major revenue earning segment for Railways, accounting for 65.1% of its total revenue in FY20 (till February 2020), followed by the passenger segment.

India became the first developing country and the 5th country in the world to roll out the first indigenously built “state-of-the-art” high horse power three phase electric locomotive when the first such loco was flagged off from Chittranjan Locomotive Works (CLW). CLW has been achieving progressive indigenisation and the cost of locomotives has come down to the level of Rs.13.65 crore. Diesel Locomotives Works, Varanasi has produced state-of-the-art 4000 HP AC/AC diesel locomotives in April 2020. These locos are capable of hauling 4,800 tonne freight trains at a speed of 100 KMPH and can run continuously up to 90 days in one stretch without any major maintenance.

47% land for bullet train project acquired:Chairman V.K. Yadav

Private Sector Participation : 

The participation of both private and public sectors in developing rail infrastructure has gone up. A joint venture company was formed with Pipava Port authorities to provide broad gauge connectivity to Pipava Port. MoUs have been signed between the Ministry of Railways and the State governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand in developing rail infrastructure in these States. 

Telecommunication – New Trends : 

To give improved telecommunication systems on Railways, Optical Fibre based communication systems has been adopted and laying OFC has increased to 7,700 route kilometres this year. Rail Tel Corporation has been created to make a nationwide broadband multimedia network by laying optical fibre cable along the railway tracks. This system will provide better operational and passenger amenities and additional revenue to Railways. 

Increasing the demand and population in urban and rural India are the potential growth drivers of Indian Railways. Growth of Indian Railways is expected to increase YOY, here is the advantage of Indian Railways growth.

INDIAN RAILWAYS REVENUE BREAK-UP BY SEGMENT (FY20)

Smart Railways Expected to Grow CAGR at 14.8%

The growth of smart railways may be attributed to increasing population, growth in urbanization, rising concerns of safety and security among passengers, the offering of fast, efficient and hassle-free services, formulation of obligatory government regulations for incorporation of smart features in the railway sector and novelty in rail technology across the globe and projected to register a CAGR at 14.8% in term of value. Smart railways integrate information and communication technology to the railway infrastructure to offer new-generation solutions and services for rail transportation and operations. Smart railways offer advanced and reliable services to passengers to meet the increasing consumer demand for efficient and safer services. This helps in enhancing operational efficiency, passenger experience, and provides high returns on investments. The demand for smart railway is attributed to the increased adoption of IoT technology and the growing demand for cloud-based services. The emergence of the Internet of Things has propelled technological advancements in the fields across the network, radio access, sensors, and other systems. Radio-based communication network offers Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 3G, and 4G services to deploy smart railways projects. The market also seeks opportunities due to the emerging trend of smart cities. However, the lack of ICT infrastructure is expected to limit market growth.

The smart railway infrastructure comprises various components including multimedia infotainment displays, video surveillance cameras, and networking and connectivity devices at stations. The multimedia infotainment displays are used at stations to display train schedules, number of passengers, and also for entertainment. The demand for smart railways services is growing with increasing adoption of smart amenities and safety, due to rising demand for smart ticketing, smart maintenance & control, and others. The smart railways solution includes advanced security monitoring systems which allow the station staff to monitor the premises. Passenger information system offers real-time information related to train routes and schedules. Similarly, rail communication and networking systems allow the operator to track and control train traffic adherence to schedules and speed, all in real time. The increasing adoption of high-speed rail by developing countries is a key factor expected to boost the growth of the market in the forecast period. Changes in lifestyle and high disposable income of people are causative of the increased emphasis on high-speed trains for public transportation. The demand for smart railway systems is higher in China and Japan, due to increased investments by these nations for the development of high-speed railway systems.

The increasing need for urban connectivity is likely to drive the growth of the market in the forecast period. Transport infrastructure is considered to be a significant factor for a nation’s progress. Better physical connectivity in urban and rural areas is crucial for economic growth. Passenger rail traffic worldwide are likely to double by the year 2020, posing a challenge for both the train operators and commuters. By tracking trains across networks by deploying geolocation and processing this data through analytics, train operators can operate trains in an efficient way.

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Electric VehiclesNews Room

Electric vehicles get UP CM Adityanath’s push

by admin
written by admin

In a major push to electric vehicles and e-rickshaws, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said that this technology needs to be given precedence over conventional fuel like petrol and diesel.

During a review of electric vehicles by the department of infrastructure and industrial development on Thursday, the CM proposed an exemption in road tax and registration fees in order to promote electric vehicles. Assessing the proposed amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Policy-2019, the CM said that since electric vehicle manufacturing was an emerging sector, it was necessary to liberalise the policy and encourage mega investments.

He said: “I have directed officials to make policy efforts to encourage manufacturing of electric vehicles in the state for a better future. Proposals have been received from various international automobile companies for setting up electric vehicle manufacturing units in the state. We will be providing all possible help to the companies. This will promote industrial investment in the state.”

Telangana state government announces EV and energy storage policy

The CM said that a centre of excellence will be established at the earliest for research and development, testing and certification in the electric vehicle industry. To encourage the industry, the CM said that private electric vehicle parks should be given benefits under the state’s private industrial park scheme and other incentives which have been provided to the bulk drug parks.

For charging e-vehicles, the CM said that a revenue sharing model should be used for setting up charging stations. He also said that there was a need for giving capital subsidy to industries in place of the current rules of SGST reimbursement.

The CM said that e-rickshaws should be promoted over diesel tempos and autos to reduce pollution. For this, he added, drivers of diesel rickshaws should be provided loans under various schemes of the central or state government related to self-employment for purchase of e-rickshaws.

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Electric VehiclesNews Room

Telangana state government announces EV and energy storage policy

by Industrial Outlook
written by Industrial Outlook

The state of Telangana is the latest to come out with a comprehensive policy directed at the e-mobility industry and eco-system. Earlier today, the state government ​announced its ‘Electric Vehicle & Energy Storage Policy 2020-2030’, which aims to make the region a preferred destination for EV manufacturing and a leader in the adoption of green vehicles.

The state has announced several steps, that it believes will help make the state an EV manufacturing and adoption hub. The EV policy makes incentives available for manufacturing of electric vehicles, energy storage systems and related components in Telangana.

The government will provide incentives that includes capital subsidies, SGST (state GST) reimbursements, power tariff subsidies, etc. Incentives shall be made available for two-, three-, four-wheelers, LCVs, shared transport and public transport. Furthermore, waiver on road tax and registration charges, incentives for charging infrastructure will also be given. The policy also encourages ride-hailing services to operate electric vehicles through incentivisation. Battery operated feeder shuttle services at all Hyderabad Metro stations for last-mile connectivity is also announced.

The state government will further promote the adoption of EVs at the institutional level starting at government entities. While a preferential procurement to ‘Make in Telangana Electric Vehicles and Energy Storage Systems’ for government orders shall be provided.

Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, Minister for IT E&C, MA&UD and Industries & Commerce Departments, Telangana said: “With the advent of clean technology and high-density energy storage solutions, a shift to cleaner transportation is inevitable and electric vehicles are no doubt the future of mobility. The state of Telangana, being a pioneer in adopting sustainability, aims to spearhead the EV revolution in the country. As the state drives the faster adoption of electric vehicles, it aspires to be not just self-sufficient, but also a global hub for electric vehicles and energy storage systems manufacturing. It is our vision to become the most electrified state in the country.”

Purchase incentives 
Road tax and registration fee exemption for the first 200,000 electric 2-wheelers, 20,000 electric 3-wheelers and 5,000 four-wheeler for commercial use (cabs, taxi, tourist cabs) purchased and registered within Telangana. Retrofitment incentive at 15 percent of the retrofitment cost upto Rs 15,000 per vehicle for first 5,000 three-wheeler auto rickshaws.

Exemption of road tax and registration fee for first 10,000 e-3W (goods), e-carriers as well as electric light goods carriers. For the first 5,000 electric cars registered by private users exemption of road tax and registration fee. Road tax and registration fee exemption for first 500 electric-buses. State Transport Units will be encouraged to purchase electric buses. The government has also waived of road tax and registration fee for electric tractors.

Charging infrastructure
In terms of providing the necessary support to the EV ecosystem the Telangana government has said that it shall facilitate setting of up initial batch of fast charging stations in Hyderabad and other towns in a phased manner, by state entities and private players. The state will provide special power tariff category for EV charging stations. TSREDCO (the state nodal agency) will evaluate to establish public charging stations directly or under licensee/franchise/PPP model at public places such as airports, railway/ metro stations, parking lots, bus depots, markets, petrol stations, malls and electric poles shall be examined for the same.

The policy will also help towards creating a viable business model for private players to set up ARAI compliant EV charging/swapping infrastructure. TREDCO will coordinate with state DISCOMS to ensure supply of renewable energy for EV charging stations and set up solar rooftop plants as per net metering policy and captive power plants shall be encouraged as per the TSREC Guidelines.

Manufacturing incentive
The Telangana government says it will incentivise EV and ESS sectors as per the subsidies and incentives available under the Electronics Policy 2016. The government will extend tailor-made benefits to Mega and Strategic Projects on case to case basis. Investment of more than Rs 200 crore in plant and machinery or providing employment to more than 1,000 persons will be categorised as mega project.

The announced incentives for manufacturers include –

  • Capital investment subsidy – 20% of investment capped at Rs 30 crore for mega enterprises.
  • SGST Reimbursement – 100% net SGST reimbursement capped at Rs 5 crore per year with a cumulative cap of Rs 25 crore over a period of 7 years for mega enterprises.
  • Power tariff discount of 25% for 5 years capped at Rs 5 crore for mega enterprises.
  • Electricity duty exemption of 100% for 5 years capped at Rs 50 lakh.
  • Interest Subvention at 5.25% for 5 years capped at Rs 5 crore.
  • Transportation subsidy at 60% with 10% reduction YoY – for 5 years; capped at Rs 5 crore.
  • Stamp Duty/ Transfer Duty/ Registration Fees Reimbursements: 100% on first, 50% on second transaction.
  • The state will also provide lease rental assistance, assistance in patent filing, reimbursement of quality, certification costs, cleaner production cost reimbursement, exhibition cost reimbursements, skill development assistance. 
  • Telangana has identified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) and Industrial Parks for promotion of EV and energy storage manufacturing companies. Currently EMCs exist at Raviryal and Maheshwaram, a designated industrial park at Divitapally for Energy Storage manufacturing, with additional parks are being designated.
  • The state will encourage manufacturing and assembly of EV related batteries and cells through electronics manufacturing policy and incentives.
  • It shall promote reuse of EV batteries in stationary energy storage applications. The state will enable collaborating between cell/ battery manufacturers, EV manufacturers, energy storage operators and recyclers to ensure efficient reuse and recycling of batteries.
  • Urban mining of rare materials and cell/ battery recycling shall be incentivised on par with EV and ancillary manufacturing.
  • Residential Townships with over 1,000 families are encouraged to develop charging stations lots.
  • The state envisions have a charging/ swapping station for every 50km within state boundaries on highway to cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Chennai, followed by other national/state highways.
  • HMR stations and TSRTC Bus depots (across the state) shall provide reserved parking and charging points for two-wheelers in their parking zones to encourage EVs for last-mile commute.
  • The government shall develop night-time community parking with charging facility in PPP mode for e-autos, shared mobility taxis and public transport vehicles within industrial zones.
  • A battery disposal infrastructure model shall be created to facilitate deployment of used EV batteries. 

Developing EV and ESS cluster

The Telangana EV Policy has also announced development of mega EV and ESS manufacturing cluster with global standard infrastructure. The EV cluster shall have common facilities as given below –

  • Support infrastructure like roads, power, and water shall be provided at doorstep of the industry
  • Built-Up space with ready factory sheds shall be developed to be used mainly by MSME units
  • A common facility for design, prototyping, and testing available to all units in the cluster
  • Common infrastructure such as drainage/ common effluent treatment plant (CETP)/sewage
  • treatment plant (STP) and utilities such as power, gas and water
  • A state-of-art business environment with facilities such as Convention and exhibition centres
  • Shared facilities to meet staffing and training requirements
  • A logistics hub to provide with multimodal transport for safe and efficient handling of cargo

Promoting R&D in Telangana
A dedicated facility shall be developed to house EV R&D centres by domestic and global EV Majors. The state government will utilise Hyderabad’s strength in technology domain shall to provide quality manpower for such centres. This hub is also expected to attract global R&D activities on other emerging mobility trends such as connected and autonomous vehicles.

The state government will also partner with premier Technical Institutes and research establishments across the state to establishing Centres of Excellence for conducting market-focused research on battery technologies, battery management, motors, and controllers. It will also seek industry participation and leverage the government of India EV policy to provide grant to these centres. The government says NFTDC (Non-Ferrous technologies Development center) at Hyderabad is running one such COE on electric vehicle technologies, under the government of India FAME scheme.

T- Fund – the government shall offer financial support to start-ups for research and innovation in EV and battery technologies. Yearly awards shall be instituted to recognise breakthrough work in battery technologies in separate categories for OEM’s, ancillaries and start-ups

T-Works Automotive Prototyping Center – recognised as India’s largest prototyping centre,  T- WORKS shall have a dedicated wing for prototyping of EV components/ assembly and battery. Industry partnership in the same shall be invited from EV OEMs and large component manufacturers. The facility shall serve start-ups and MSME units in the EV space at subsidised rates.

Sohinder Gill, director general, SMEV welcomed the announcement and said, “We welcome the announcement of EV policy by Telangana government. While the policy offers non-fiscal incentives such as encouraging ride-hailing services, institutional adoption and government buying, extends support for the creation of charging infrastructure and setting up of manufacturing units but, it misses offering direct incentives to customers, which are much required to motivate the citizens to adopt environmentally-friendly vehicles. We believe that bringing volumes should be the priority of the policy that would automatically augment the market. We hope that the government would look into it and come up with a direct subsidy scheme, which will help in demand creation.”

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Electric VehiclesNews Room

AMPERE ELECTRIC ANNOUNCES ‘UNLOCK LIFE’ CAMPAIGN

by Industrial Outlook
written by Industrial Outlook
~ Launches new range, new website experience and a multi-language call-centre
~ Aims to increase EV adoption with exclusive experience & best-in-class festive offers for fast growing customer base

Ampere Electric, a wholly-owned electric mobility subsidiary of Greaves Cotton Ltd., is all geared up to enhance the EV adoption in India with the launch of the ‘Unlock Life’ campaign. This campaign is an ode to new breed of EV buyers seeking wide range of Ampere electric scooter buyers after unlock is announced and more markets are reopened. On this eve, Ampere electric announces unique phygital campaign supported by new range of e-scooters, customised online buying experience & multi-language Call Centre which will operate uninterrupted way to help increasing buyers know more about various aspects of product, share knowhow on features, financing & privileged benefits of getting in to privileged HOLA (Happy Owners League of Ampere) family, thus enhance the EV buying experience across India.

There has been a good uptick in customers visiting showrooms & online, more from smaller towns across the country. To cater this new increasing demand for electric vehicles especially in rural areas, Ampere Electric is creating an easy platform for customers to interact & know more about usage, new schemes & lifecycle savings over conventional petrol scooters, thus enhance accessibility for everyone. With new and enhanced product features in Reo, Magnus, Zeal and V48, Ampere is not only enhancing the style quotient but also upgrading the performance & range for long drives. With these benefits both B2C & B2B fleet buyers can actively consider Ampere escooters & become part of the grand celebration planned this festive period.

Speaking on the occasion, P Sanjeev, COO, Ampere Electric said, “At Ampere Electric, we are actively listening to voice of customers & have created unmatched product range, robust service backup, and easy financing options to facilitate the seamless transition towards electric scooters. The category is new & still we see lot of myths & queries related to overall EV usage especially from the new markets. Our Toll Free Customer care is now available all 7 days from 9am to 9pm and in 6 languages., Ampere’s new website is faster, with host of features such as virtual reality based product demo & test ride experience, easy lease to own options, dealer locator, savings calculator and more.”

Ampere electric has fostered clean last mile mobility with electric scooters starting from Rs 34,000 and attractive EMI as low as just Rs 51/ day. The range includes products in the economy segment with V48, V 48 plus, Reo LA, Reo plus LA, REO Li, REO plus Li Magnus 60, Reo Elite LA, REO ELITE Li & performance segment with Zeal, Zeal EX & Magnus Pro. Recently, Ampere has also announced its partnership with OTO Capital for easy financing and Autovert Technologies for battery subscription to enable faster adoption of EVs in the country. Ampere electric has also introduced Special 0% interest Schemes for e2W buyers in conjunction with various financing partners. With easy financing options, owning an electric 2W is much more accessible.

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Electric VehiclesNews Room

Mahindra Electric is revolutionising India’s last and first mile commute

by Industrial Outlook
written by Industrial Outlook

Over the last five years, shared mobility has grown exponentially in India. Increasing urbanisation has seen an increase in corporate commute and despite the presence of cab hailing aggregators, majority of Indians opt for public transport creating a huge demand for last and first mile commute. Seeing an opportunity here and with the aim of taking e-mobility to masses, Mahindra Electric has designed India’s first electric three-wheeler platform with the Mahindra Treo. Mahindra Treo addresses issues of short distance commute, a few kilometre or less, to get from your origin to the nearest transportation hub. Electric three-wheelers and new-age micro-mobility segments will drive the EV category growth. Going forward, the last and first mile segment will be further enhanced by the electric quadricycle segment that will offer clean and connected mobility solutions. Mahindra will be launching the three-seater Mahindra Atom electric quadricycle which is practical, spacious and futuristic, later this year.

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News RoomWomen Empowerment

Jindal Stainless Foundation and The Women of Elements Trust launch a helpline for domestic violence victims

by Industrial Outlook
written by Industrial Outlook

Chairperson, Jindal Stainless Foundation, Ms Deepika Jindal

Jindal Stainless Foundation, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Jindal Stainless, and The Women of Elements Trust launched project ‘Stainless Aashiyana’ to help women and children who are victims of domestic violence in the country. Under this project, a free helpline number – 9310283304 has been set up to offer counsel and suggest legal recourse to callers. Awareness sessions on domestic violence will also be organised in Delhi and Haryana and pro-bono legal support will be provided to people from low income group. 

Free helpline number – 9310283304

Commenting on the launch of helpline, Chairperson, Jindal Stainless Foundation, Ms Deepika Jindal said, “Domestic violence is not confined to rural or urban women. We need to work on this agenda together – as a society, as responsible citizens and as protectors of the state machinery. In spite of strict legislation, women continue to suffer due to  lack of knowledge and the dearth of access to these avenues. We are happy to partner with The Women of Element Trust for this initiative and we believe that together we will bring about great relief to many who suffer silently in their homes.” 

Project Stainless Aashiyana is a means to provide women and children a safe space to reach out and share their incidents with counsellors who can empower them. The helpline will not only provide legal counsel to victims, but also explain various avenues and recourses available to them for individual cases.

As per data estimates from National Commission for Women, India witnessed a spike in domestic violence cases with the onset of the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, between March 25 and May 31, 1,477 complaints were recorded which is more than those received in the previous 10 years. In many cases, victims do not even report such abuses due to the social stigma or pressure of bringing the court or police in to the house.

Jindal Stainless Foundation and The Women of Elements Trust will publicise the information of the helpline initiative through various stakeholders like Police Authorities, lawyers at the Crime Against Women Cells of Delhi Police, etc., to make sure that victims can get immediate help. 

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Electric VehiclesElectrical Power Industry News

Tesla tests the circuits for German energy market push

by Industrial Outlook
written by Industrial Outlook

Musk’s Tesla has recently acquired a licence that will enable the carmaker to trade electricity across western Europe and the company has also been surveying customers in Germany about potentially using Tesla electricity in their cars

Elon Musk appears to be opening a new front in the European battle for electric car supremacy: the power behind the wheel.

Musk’s Tesla has recently acquired a licence that will enable the carmaker to trade electricity across western Europe and the company has also been surveying customers in Germany about potentially using Tesla electricity in their cars.

Such moves, consultants and energy industry executives say, could set the stage for the company – possibly with one or more partners – to take on established utilities in Germany, Europe’s biggest power market and autos heartland.

Tesla declined to comment about its energy market plans.

Generating and trading power could help Tesla lower the running costs of its cars at a time rival automakers, including Germany’s BMW, Audi, Porsche and Mercedes, are churning out new electric models.

It could also step up competition to utilities such as Vattenfall and EnBW, which are investing in electric mobility services too, but which like peers RWE and E.ON are lumbered with the cost of winding down fossil fuel and nuclear power plants.

Tesla already sells solar panels and the Powerwall battery storage system for homes, but now appears to be looking at selling electricity directly to customers and using the home storage systems to provide services to the grid.

In June, the company became a member of the Paris-based EPEX Spot power exchange, a platform used to trade much of western Europe’s intraday cross-border electricity.

A month later, it surveyed German customers about their interest in energy services.

“What would encourage you to switch from your existing energy supplier?”, the survey said, according to a copy seen by Reuters. “Would you buy a Tesla photovoltaic system and home storage (Tesla Powerwall) if you could switch to a specially designed Tesla electricity tariff?”, it added.Tesla also asked potential energy customers whether they would allow the company to control when cars would charge.

This could allow it to coincide charging with cheap electricity rates during off peak hours, consultants and industry executives said.

It could also open the way for Tesla to use power stored by customers to help balance the electricity grid, an increasingly important service in Germany as it becomes ever more dependent on volatile wind and solar power. Companies offering similar services in Germany include Shell-owned sonnen, virtual power plant operator Next Kraftwerke, and power aggregator Lichtblick.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Tesla’s interest in renewable energy was one of the factors that led it to choose Brandenburg state around Berlin as the site for a new factory, a person familiar with the company’s deliberations told Reuters.

In the first half of this year, some 65% of the electricity on the Brandenburg grid was generated from renewable sources, mostly wind. But like other areas in the north of the country, it often wastes energy because Germany’s networks are limited in how much green power they can transport over long distances.

Tesla’s Gigafactory 4 in Brandenburg will on its own require 100 megawatts (MW) of power and up to 400 MW if battery cell production is also launched, according to transmission grid operator 50Hertz.

Tesla is a long way from building up enough battery assets to deliver frequency regulation at grid scale, say specialists such as utility Axpo. But the company has made several steps to expand its energy activities in recent months.

In May, it applied for a UK licence to supply power, according to the Telegraph newspaper. It also uses a platform to bring users of its solar and Powerwall battery system into the electricity market in Australia.

“The next and obvious step for Tesla is to get into production, especially of renewable power,” said consultant Berthold Hannes, who has 30 years of energy advisory experience.

“Tesla could use its own locations, for example the roofs of plants or the sites of charging points, and alternatively, or in addition, it could take stakes in solar plants or wind parks,” he said.

Germany pioneered the solar power market, and is in the process of laying a policy framework that will make it easier for decentralised power generation and supply.

“Tesla’s long-term plan definitely includes tackling the energy industry in a bigger way, though it’s questionable whether it invests enough at the moment in that area,” said a former member of Tesla management, who declined to be named.

Thomas Deser, a portfolio manager at Union Investment, said it was unlikely Tesla would enter the German electricity distribution business on its own – “but it could do so with a competent partner from the energy industry.”

Source: ET

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