Page 31 - MMI_MarApr 2021 (high-singles)

Hence, the future in this sector
is going to be exciting.
The Indian Automotive indus-
try is based on conventional en-
gines. For the large-scale adop-
tion of electric vehicles, the
entire ecosystem has to be trans-
formed. How is ARAI helping the
industry to smoothly transition
this change especially that ARAI
has set up a Centre of Excellence
for electric mobility for the hand-
holding of the vehicle manufac-
turers, component manufactur-
ers, tier I and II suppliers. Kindly manufacturers, startups, R&D in-
elaborate on this.
ARAI, with the support of the
Department of Heavy Indus-
try, has set up a dedicated test
center at its Chakan campus,
keeping in view the need faced
by the Auto industry on the de-
velopmental front, testing and
certifications of EVs and their
components such as motors,
batteries, chargers, etc. This
center is operational for the last
two years and is providing ser-
vices to the industries that are
in the development of the entire
gamut of EVs - from 2-wheelers
to buses. For a smooth tran-
sition to electric mobility, the
ARAI Academy is focused on
skill development and conducts
domain training programs, spe-
cialized PG diploma courses, etc.
ARAI has also been helping
startups in the EV space. How is
that done?
The Government of India’s
‘Startup India’ campaign has led
to the growth of the startup eco-
system in the country. Various
startups are venturing into the
Automotive sector, particularly
in the electric mobility domain.
Apart from providing develop-
ment and testing services, ARAI
has been going an extra mile to
handhold startups in the tech-
nology development, under-
standing of regulations, homolo-
gation process, etc.
www.mmindia.co.in
Source: ARAI
“In India, the Machine Tool industry
is quite mature and robust. We ha-
ve a strong expertise in electrical
systems, power electronics, and
automation. Hence, the industry will
be able to meet the requirements
of the EV Manufacturing industry
on the similar lines of the IC Engine line with the latest technological
Vehicles Manufacturing industry.”
Dr Reji Mathai
Director
The Automotive Research
Association of India (ARAI)
Kindly apprise us of the role of
TechNovuus and how it contrib-
utes to help the Auto sector?
TechNovuus is an online plat-
form developed by ARAI to bring
all the stakeholders such as vehi-
cle manufacturers, components
stitutes, academia, and students
on the same platform to address
the technological problems faced
by the industry. This platform is
developed under the guidance
and support of the Department
of Heavy Industry of Govern-
ment of India. The stakeholders
registered on this platform can
post their challenges/problems
and the expert community, with
the support of the startups, R&D
institutes, and academia, can
work on solving those. TechN-
ovuus platform will go a long
way in the development and
growth of technological innova-
tions in the Auto sector.
Ensuring battery safety in EVs is
one of the key challenges. What
are the standards and test pro- The Gov-
cedures developed that suit the ernment
Indian environmental conditions? of India’s
Battery safety is of paramount ‘Startup
importance in EVs. Hence, in India’ cam-
India too, the Automotive indus- paign has
try standards are formulated in led to the
growth of
developments and challenges, the startup
international harmonized stan- ecosystem in
dards, and India-specific condi- the country.
tions. For example, AIS 038 Rev-2 Various
for passenger cars and commer- startups are
cial vehicles and AIS 156 for venturing
two-wheelers and three-wheel- into the
ers have been formulated, which Automotive
comprehensively include battery sector, par-
safety in EVs. ticularly in
the electric
It is being strongly felt that the mobility
Government should incentivize domain.
both manufacturers and consum-
ers to shift to EVs since a support-
ing infrastructure is needed for
their widespread adoption. Please
share your take on the same.
Presently, the Government of
India is implementing Phase 2
of FAME India scheme, which
provides incentives to the buyers
of EVs. Thus, it is a demand side
incentive. The Government is
also working on production
link incentives (PLI) scheme,
which will provide supplier side
incentive also. The details of PLI
scheme are still awaited.
Do you think the Indian machine
tool manufacturers are enough
equipped with skill, knowhow,
and infrastructure to cater to
the requirements of the EV
manufacturing industry?
In India, the Machine Tool indus-
try is quite mature and robust.
We have a strong expertise in
electrical systems, power elec-
tronics, and automation. Hence,
the industry will be able to meet
the requirements of the EV Man-
ufacturing industry on the simi-
lar lines of the IC Engine Vehicles
Manufacturing industry.
| 31March-April 2021