Electric Vehicles And The Road Ahead
- By Juili Eklahare
- November 21, 2022
Promising cleaner streets and a better environment, the EV race is at its highest today.
Multiple technologies and solutions within the automotive sector are contributing to the EV ecosystem. Various technologies are coming together to make EVs. There are over 120 companies from different segments offering different solutions, including OEMs. While China and Germany are in the lead in the transition to electric mobility, the EV sector in India is catching up as well – although there are still some hindrances that need to be overcome. These are, of course, standardisation, safety, charging points, to name a few. But at the same time, there are opportunities to grab as well. Every industry within automotive, and the government, are constantly working in the direction to revolutionise and make India a country that has only EVs on the road – from new innovative electric vehicles being launched all over the country to charging stations being set up to several of the initiatives taken by the government to promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
Organised by Futurex Trade Fair with Globe-Tech as the partner, the India International EV Show (IIES) held at Pune, India in November 2022 brought the EV industry experts and stakeholders under one roof. Ideas were exchanged and shared. Discussions between sellers and buyers as well as technocrats were held in the interest of building a sustainable EV industry. Along with the show, a conference ‘EV Dynamics Conference 2022’ was also held.
Varied exhibitors related to EVs
The exhibition opened up to visitors, with all aspects of the EV segment, from the current trends in EVs, to the opportunities and challenges, battery technology, energy storage solutions, the commercialisation of EVs and more. It witnessed 120+ exhibitors from umpteen segments related to EVs, some of the major companies being Jendamark, Drone Power, Sharp, Lubi EV Solutions, SLTL Group, Hioki, Phoenix Contact, IPG Photonics, Trumpf, Cybernetik Technologies, NKE Bikes and many more.
All the different exhibitors had a unique solution to offer to customers. For example, Grauer & Weil (India) Ltd presented chemicals for coating and lubricants, specialised paints, process technologies for plating on plastic, etc. in automotives. Blue Star and Hioki had also exhibited their test and measurement solutions. Some of Hioki’s products were the BMS testers, process data loggers, power analysers and more.
Sharp had put up its seven-inch display with a partner’s cluster solution made in India, a force touch display that gives the user a mechanical, button-like experience, MiniLED based futuristic display that augments visibility to 1 million:1, to name a few. Besides, Hi Link Printing Technologies had exhibited its pad printing machines, while Graco India was exhibiting its machines for dispensing sealants on EV batteries.
Under batteries, there was SLS Innovations as well, a manufacturer of lithium-ion cell holders and accessories. Cybernetik Technologies was presenting its EV battery solution lines, under prismatic and cylindrical. Then there were the OEMs, like iScoot Motors, BGauss and Nke Bikes, who had their EV two-wheelers on display. In fact, a rider or two were even spotted taking test rides on them.
Some of the other exhibitors, among the many ones, were Light Mechanics, presenting their laser welding and battery assembly line solutions for e-mobility. Coherent Laser India was also presenting its laser marking, cutting and welding machines. Apart from that, Akshay Enterprises had put its brass components for EVs and automotives on display, Trimoorty Autodeco Components had exhibited its foam components, NVH application, etc., while ESS DEE Industries had presented its DCDC converter, battery cables, battery harnesses, full body harnesses, and more, while at the expo.
The next generation’s role in EVs
Besides, the exhibition had a footfall of about 12,000. Of the 12,000, a humungous amount of the visitors were young students from schools and colleges, including children visiting with their parents. Sharing his views on this, Prem Anveshi, Managing Director, Futurex Trade Fair and Events, cited, “I never expected for children to come to the expo. But children are our future. If they understand our technology now, then they will become the Abdul Kalams of the next generation. So we want them to come and experience the expo.”
Anveshi further asserted that unless the future generation comes and learns about the technology related to EVs, they will not get themselves involved. “When we start propagating that there is a future, money and great opportunities available in EVs, only then will the new generation show an interest in it. So we want the new generation to play a great role here,” he expounded.
While at the EV Dynamics Conference 2022, Himanshu Jadhav, CEO, Jendamark, too, shared that the kids at the expo have showed amazing curiosity and energy. “The biggest experience at this expo is that we can influence the next generation for more innovative technologies of the automotive industry,” he averred.
Living up to the demand
An EV, in fact, is like a young child growing up, trying to take on the age-old ICE, quoted Jadhav. He said that the main components of EVs are product level components. “The product level maturity is there. The government did the right thing by incentivising the demand side. Today, we realise that the manufacturing side is not mature enough for that demand,” he highlighted and continued, “Even the infrastructure side is catching up. There is a demand, so we have a need. But the rate of increase in demand is so high that it’s going to be a difficult situation for anyone.”
Manoj Patil, Founder and Managing Director, Evtric Motors Pvt Ltd went on to mention that the EV business has been growing in the last six to seven years. There are incentives, facilities and subsidies from the government also, who are making it a priority. He further said, “A good line is very important if you want a first-time-right- product. Manpower is very important for EVs and people need to be trained according to the customers’ demand.”
EV batteries
Vicky Panchal, Business Development Manager, Graco India, further shared his views in terms of the battery. He said, “The battery comes with a lot of challenge, which needs to be manufactured and dispensed in a very precise way.”
Speaking of batteries, Amar Deshpande, Head – Business Development, Cybernetik Technologies, asserted that EV batteries are upcoming and the quality standards are very high. “Safety is the most important aspect that needs to be taken care of,” he explicated and added, “And those with the most innovative solutions will come up as leaders in the industry.”
Redon, who provides lithium-ion battery solutions, was also one of the exhibitors at the expo and presenting its lithium batteries. In truth, Redon’s booth even had a live demo of its IP67 on display, sunk into water, and had been running for 72 hours and counting. Apart from that, the company was exhibiting a variety of its batteries that were from 48 watt to 70 watt.
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