The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in partnership with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), convened a roundtable conference titled ‘Gas se Gati, Bharat ki Pragati’ at the India Habitat Centre, focusing on the role of gas-based fuels in promoting cleaner mobility across India.

Held under SIAM’s ‘Gas Mobility’ initiative, the event brought together government officials, industry leaders and technical experts to discuss the development of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as alternative fuels for urban and long-distance transport.

In his opening address, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “Globally, India is the largest user of gas fuels in mobility. We began with CNG cars and now have the largest gas-based bus and three-wheeler fleet. The launch of the world’s first CNG two-wheeler last year marked another key milestone.”

Dr Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, highlighted the role of the auto industry in achieving carbon neutrality by 2047. He noted that the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme supports gas-powered vehicles and localisation of their components.

Additional Secretary from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Sudeep Jain, emphasised the potential of CBG from agricultural waste, stating that converting 10 percent of oil imports to CBG could significantly impact rural development, pollution control and energy self-sufficiency.

Maruti Suzuki’s Rahul Bharti acknowledged the government’s role in expanding CNG infrastructure, with nearly 10,000 stations targeted by 2025. He cited improvements in CNG fuel efficiency and job creation, adding that CBG and LNG also offer promising solutions for the transport sector.

The Commission for Air Quality Management’s Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee called gas-based transport a necessity, not a choice, especially for pollution control in Delhi-NCR. He pointed to efforts such as phasing out older vehicles and reducing stubble burning.

Dr Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson, PNGRB, said India’s energy transition in transport is well underway and gas fuels are an effective transitional option, supported by existing infrastructure.

The thematic session, chaired by Ved Prakash Mishra of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, reiterated gas’s relevance until full electrification is achieved. Academic and policy experts, including IIT Kanpur’s Prof Mukesh Sharma and MNRE’s Dr Gaurav Mishra, shared data on emissions reduction and the role of bioenergy.

Presentations covered city gas expansion, vehicle technology innovations, and infrastructure challenges, featuring speakers from Bajaj Auto, Mahanagar Gas and the Association of CGD Entities.

A panel discussion on CBG and LNG adoption, moderated by ICF’s Gurpreet Singh Chugh, included input from NITI Aayog, GAIL Gas, Indraprastha Gas, VE Commercial Vehicles and Tata Motors. Speakers discussed scalability, infrastructure needs, and the role of gas in supporting India’s net-zero goals by 2070.

The event concluded with remarks by Ashish Chutani, Chairman, SIAM Gas-Based Mobility Group and Head – Government & Policy Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India.

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South Korean automotive major Hyundai Motor Group has significantly expanded its collaboration in Singapore through two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), focusing on future mobility, advanced technologies and low-carbon solutions. The agreements were signed with HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore.

The MoU with HTX focuses on the application of advanced technologies to boost the operational readiness of Singapore’s fleet of public safety vehicles.

Kia PBV Demonstration: The partners will conduct a demonstration project for the Kia PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) modular electric vehicle (EV) platform by the end of 2028. This aims to create a unified operational platform to transform fleet operations for the Home Team departments, such as police and civil defence forces.

Beyond Mobility: The collaboration will also explore joint research and application of robotics and hydrogen energy for public safety systems.

Ilbum Kim, Executive Vice-President and Head of Global Policy Office, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “Hyundai Motor Group has established a solid foundation for driving public mobility innovation in partnership with the Singaporean government, leveraging our proprietary technologies. Through real-world demonstrations of mobility solutions, we will continue to lead global innovation in future technologies such as robotics and hydrogen.”

Chan Tsan, Chief Executive, HTX, said, “Every partnership we forge is about advancing science and technology to empower the Home Team with better tools and smarter systems. This collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group enables us to push the boundaries of future mobility technologies and bring cutting-edge innovations into real-world Home Team operations and beyond,”

EDB Partnership: Low-Carbon and Hydrogen Technology

The second MoU with the EDB focuses on identifying opportunities to develop low-carbon technologies, including hydrogen. This builds on the existing partnership through the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS).

The Group is exploring potential collaborations, including the use of Singapore’s pipeline network for efficient hydrogen distribution, aiming to address logistical challenges.

Jaeha Park, Vice-President, Head of Global Hydrogen Business Sub-Division, Hyundai Motor Group, said, “We are excited to collaborate with the EDB to explore new growth areas, including the development of low-carbon technologies. By bringing our cutting-edge expertise in hydrogen technology, this partnership represents a significant step forward in creating a clean energy future for Singapore. We look forward to driving impactful solutions that demonstrate the potential of hydrogen as a cornerstone of global sustainability.”

Zheng Jingxin, Vice-President and Head of Mobility, Singapore Economic Development Board, said, “This MoU builds on the strong partnership between EDB and Hyundai Motor Group. The collaboration is closely aligned to Singapore’s commitment to develop a low-carbon economy, by supporting companies on sustainable technology development. This will strengthen Singapore’s position as a global innovation hub within Hyundai Motor Group’s global network,”

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Statiq, an electric vehicle charging network provider, has partnered with German luxury brand BMW Group India to establish a high-power charging corridor across the country's major driving routes. The initiative aims to install charging stations of a minimum of every 120 kW every 300-350km, facilitating intercity travel for users.

The collaboration has created a robust charging corridor spanning over 4,000 km from Jammu to Madurai. The fast chargers are strategically located on key highways and public spaces, and they are accessible to all EV owners, regardless of brand. BMW customers can locate and access these chargers through the myBMW app.

• The chargers deployed offer capacities ranging from 120 kW to 720 kW.
• Chargers are placed near cafes, restaurants and public spaces to enhance the customer experience.

Statiq's network currently includes more than 8,000 EV chargers in over 70 cities and has integrated its platform with other major charging providers like E-Fill, Sunfuel and GLIDA to expand usability.

Akshit Bansal, Founder & CEO, Statiq, said, “The partnership with marks a defining moment for India’s ecosystem. By enabling high-power charging every 300-350km, we are addressing the core challenge of range anxiety and providing the confidence needed for long-distance electric mobility. Our core mission at Statiq has always been to make EV charging easy, accessible and reliable for all, and this corridor puts India firmly on the global map of green mobility leaders.”

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “BMW Group India is immensely proud to be the first luxury carmaker to surpass the remarkable milestone of 5,000 electric vehicle deliveries. We are pleased to partner with Statiq and an additional charging operator to expand our charging infrastructure. Through this initiative, we are working steadily towards creating a great travel experience for all electric mobility consumers with complete peace of mind.”

Statiq has clear plans to install 20,000 charging points and foster partnerships to create a robust, inclusive EV infrastructure ecosystem.

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JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has surpassed the 100,000 electric vehicle sales milestone in India, becoming the second passenger vehicle manufacturer to achieve this feat in the country. The company's diverse EV portfolio now contributes over 70 percent to its overall month-on-month sales.

The brand's EV market share has grown significantly, expanding from 26 percent in CY2024 to 35 percent currently. JSW MG Motor India attributes this milestone to the robust performance of its EV offerings, which cater to varied customer demands for clean and intelligent mobility solutions.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said: “Crossing the 100,000 EV sales milestone reflects the trust Indian customers place in sustainable choices. I thank our customers and the entire JSW MG Motor India team for this momentous milestone. As mobility evolves, we remain committed to driving India’s vision of innovative and clean mobility solutions.”

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Kinetic Green Tonino Lamborghini (KGTL), the joint venture between Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions and Tonino Lamborghini, has appointed Surge Systems as its authorised dealer for the electric luxury golf and lifestyle cart range in India. This partnership is set to leverage Surge Systems' expertise in professional turf maintenance and aftersales support to establish Kinetic Green Tonino Lamborghini's presence in the luxury golf cart market.

The golf carts, which the company describes as embodying Italian design and Indian engineering, are marketed as a luxury lifestyle statement under the 'Make In India' initiative.

Kinetic Green Tonino Lamborghini aims to achieve an annual revenue of INR 25 billion over the next five years and capture 10 percent of the global golf car market. The appointment of an authorised dealer in India supports the company's commitment to both building and selling in India, while also contributing to its export ambitions.

Dr. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO, Kinetic Green, said, “A symphony of Italian design and Indian engineering, the KGTL’s Golf Carts embody the Make In India initiative and a luxury lifestyle statement. On this journey, we are thrilled to onboard Surge Systems as our official dealer partner and looking forward to their positive contribution. I am confident that the company’s unique credibility, exceptional after-sales service, and extensive network will add value to our presence in India. Our collaboration with Surge Systems allows us to leverage their deep technical expertise, established customer trust and premium market presence while introducing a globally renowned luxury brand into its portfolio.’’

Ferruccio Lamborghini, Vice-President, Tonino Lamborghini, said, "This collaboration with Kinetic Green marks an exciting new chapter in the history of the brand founded by my father over 45-years ago. Together, we have created a project that combines the best of two worlds: the elegance and identity of Italian design with the strength, efficiency and innovation of Indian manufacturing. This is more than an industrial joint venture – it is a bridge between two entrepreneurial cultures, united by a shared vision of the future. We chose India not only as a strategic production base, but also as a symbol of openness, growth and global ambition."

Antony Bijoy, CEO, Surge Systems, said, “At Surge System, our strength lies in engineering excellence and responsive technical support. Representing Tonino Lamborghini and Kinetic Green electric luxury golf carts is a natural extension of our commitment to performance, reliability and service, delivering not just luxury mobility, but a robust, sustainable solution.’’

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