The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC), nodal body for the promotion of Auto LPG in India, has issued a statement, asking why special attention is reserved only for electric vehicles while overlooking auto LPG.  

Days ago, the government announced another allocation of INR 1,000 crore for the development and installation of charging infrastructure under the phase II of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (FAME) scheme. Sometime in the middle of the year, the government had extended the second phase of FAME by two years until March 2024. 

Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition, said, “While we certainly welcome the long-term focus of government to set the ball rolling for a minimally carbon-intensive vehicular fuel policy and of course, the tilt towards electric vehicles would be a part of that vision, it is totally baffling that the government continues to ignore the immediate potential that auto LPG holds out in all respects as compared to electric mobility. Talking of infrastructure, government’s plans to set up 4500 EV charging stations across the country is woefully inadequate since there is a need for at least 4 lakh charging stations, 100-times that target, in order to meet its own target of having 2 million EVs on the roads by 2026. In contrast, auto LPG already has almost 1500 stations for refilling across 600 cities in the country. And that too without almost any government support. Further, India’s import dependence on lithium-ion batteries, without which EVs are an absolute non-starter, is unlikely to ease immediately even with government’s full policy push. With China dominating the world market for the raw material, it becomes even more complicated and unpredictable. On the other hand, thanks to the drive for household consumption of LPG, an extensive infrastructure exists in the country from before. With 2.5 million auto LPG vehicles already running on Indian roads, it makes almost perfect sense to give an instant policy boost to this fuel.” 

Gupta added, “Cost-wise, instead of buying expensive EVs, it becomes far easier for a consumer to get their existing vehicles retrofitted with LPG conversion kits. All that the government needs to do is to ease the Type Approval norms governing the retro-fitment of LPG/CNG conversion kits and bring them in line with the European norms. Currently, the Indian rule to renew Type approvals for auto LPG conversion kits every three years is hugely cost-prohibitive as well as a disincentive and a deterrent from both manufacturer and consumer standpoints. The government must also consider shifting the GST slabs of conversion kits from 28 to 18 percent and of auto LPG from 18 percent to 5 percent with a view to stimulate demand on the ground. In fact, even environmentally speaking, electric vehicles are not really as environmentally friendly as they are being made to be especially in the immediate term. Almost 60% of electricity in the country is still produced by carbon-emitting fossil fuel-based sources. On the other hand, auto LPG has a zero global warming potential with negligible emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.” (MT)  

JSW Group has taken a significant step towards industrial growth and sustainable development by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra. The agreement, announced at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, outlines a massive investment of INR 3,000 billion in key sectors across the state including electric vehicles (EV).

This ambitious partnership reinforces Maharashtra’s position as India’s leading industrial hub. The investment will target critical sectors such as steel manufacturing, renewable energy, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, solar wafer and cell modules and infrastructure and cement. The steel sector will see an expansion of manufacturing capacities using clean, green technology, while renewable energy projects will pioneer advancements towards a sustainable future.

The EV segment will benefit from advanced manufacturing facilities for new-age electric vehicles and high-performance lithium-ion batteries, bolstering India’s EV ecosystem. Additionally, the solar energy ecosystem will be strengthened with new facilities for solar wafers and cell modules, alongside infrastructure and cement projects to drive Maharashtra’s transformation.

This strategic initiative is expected to generate thousands of jobs, boost industrial capabilities and contribute to sustainable economic growth. Under the MoU, the Maharashtra government will facilitate the investment by fast-tracking approvals, providing fiscal incentives and ensuring essential resources such as land, water, power and infrastructure in line with state policies.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis said, “Signing of an MoU with JSW Steel, a company with diverse investments across key sectors such as steel, solar, auto, and cement in Maharashtra, is a significant step in fulfilling our vision to developing Gadchiroli as the ‘steel city’ of India. JSW’s continued commitment to Maharashtra, including their focus on electric vehicles and sustainability, is a clear testament to their confidence in our state’s potential. I am confident that this collaboration will further strengthen Maharashtra’s position as an industrial and economic powerhouse, driving innovation, job creation, and long-term prosperity for our people.”

Alluding to the development, JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal said, “This MoU reflects our unwavering commitment to Maharashtra, a state that has been pivotal to JSW Group’s journey of growth and innovation. Through this partnership, we take another step towards Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji's vision of Clean and Green Bharat. This investment will not only boost industrial development but also drive India’s green transition with sustainable technologies, clean mobility and renewable energy solutions. We are deeply grateful to the Government of Maharashtra, led by Honorable Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, for their visionary approach and industry-friendly policies, which make transformative initiatives like these possible.”

Leading electric vehicle (EV) solutions provider Urja Mobility has announced the launch of its B2C battery leasing programme, which will target e-rickshaw drivers in 10 strategically selected cities. The programme aims to address the financial challenges associated with battery ownership by converting high upfront costs into affordable monthly payments and is consistent with India's wider electric mobility and environmental aims, notably the goal of fully electrifying commercial three-wheelers by 2030.

In order to provide drivers access to better Lithium-Ion batteries – which have longer life cycles, need less maintenance and have better thermal performance than conventional Lead Acid options – the business has launched a ‘Smart Opex Model’ as part of the initiative. Over a period of 12 to 24 months, drivers must pay a monthly leasing amount. The driver receives ownership of the battery at the conclusion of the lease, giving them a dependable energy source for more than five years. Drivers will also have access to digital tools that streamline the management process by offering real-time information regarding leasing data and battery performance.

Agra, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Siliguri, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar and Puri are the 10 cities that are part of the first phase. These areas were chosen to allow drivers to optimise asset utilisation due to their high rates of EV adoption and substantial tourist traffic. Urja Mobility intends to inform consumers about the advantages of moving to lithium-ion batteries in order to achieve its ambitious target of onboarding 50,000 e-rickshaw drivers. This programme highlights the long-term financial and environmental benefits of implementing contemporary battery technology, while more than 75 percent of the market is still dependent on lead acid solutions.

In order to guarantee smooth operations, Urja Mobility has set up service facilities in each of these locations. These centres offer end-to-end assistance, which includes installation, maintenance and troubleshooting, and ensures that vehicles are operational for at least 26 days a month. Smart, technologically enhanced batteries with sophisticated Battery Management Systems will also help drivers. This system ensures dependability and safety by monitoring battery health, anticipating any problems, and maintaining peak performance via the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence.

Pankaj Chopra, Founder and CEO, Urja Mobility, said, "This initiative represents a significant step forward in making electric mobility accessible and affordable for e-rickshaw drivers. By providing a cost-effective, reliable and sustainable battery solution, we aim to empower drivers and contribute to India’s vision for a greener future."

GreenCell Mobility, India’s leading provider of electric mass mobility solutions, has deployed 200 electric buses to serve pilgrims at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, the world's largest spiritual gathering, held in Prayagraj.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, which runs from 13 January to 26 February 2025, will use 200 electric buses, demonstrating the growing versatility and effectiveness of electric vehicles in meeting extensive public transportation demands. It also emphasises GreenCell Mobility's steadfast dedication to environmentally responsible and sustainable transportation options. In addition to providing for the mobility needs of the millions of devotees who attend this sacred event, this project is expected to prevent thousands of tonnes of tailpipe emissions and drastically cut carbon emissions during Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, resulting in a cleaner, greener environment.

Devndra Chawla, MD &CEO of GreenCell Mobility, stated, "We are honoured to contribute to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, one of the world's largest and most revered spiritual gatherings. At GreenCell Mobility, our vision is to seamlessly integrate sustainability with public transportation. The deployment of 200 electric buses to serve millions of devotees goes beyond enhancing mobility – it reflects our unwavering commitment to building a sustainable future. We are proud to support this sacred event and play a role in making it an environmentally responsible celebration."

RR Global’s BGauss is holding a Maha Loan Exchange Mela in Satara to make electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible and affordable for the locals.

The event is hosted by Ram Auto Satara at Nagarpalika Samor, Kesarkar Peth, Satara – 415001 from 18 to 22 January 2025. As part of the event, customers can trade in their old electric or petrol vehicle for an exchange value of up to INR 50,000. The event will also be held at Hutatma Smarak, Near Wai Court, Wai – 412803 from 23 to 26 January 2025. Additionally, customers can also enjoy a flat INR 10,000 discount on the RUV350 full metal body EV Scooter as part of the company’s Republic Day Special Offer. This exclusive offer is valid until 26 January 2025.

Hemant Kabra, Founder and Managing Director, BGauss, said, “We are excited to host the Maha Loan Exchange Mela and provide residents of Satara with an excellent opportunity to transition to smarter and more eco-friendly modes of transport. With enticing exchange values and special Republic Day discounts, we aim to make electric mobility a viable and attractive choice for our customers.”