The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organised the 6th International Conference on ‘Climate Action: Accelerating India’s Transition to a Low-Carbon Future’, to mark World Environment Day.

The forum brought together automobile policymakers, industry CEOs, academic researchers and sustainability experts to detail decarbonisation pathways across the entire automotive value chain.

The conference emphasised that for a market as diverse as India, no single technology will satisfy the country's net-zero roadmap. Instead, progress relies on the parallel maturation of vehicle electrification, alternative bio-fuels, circular material economies and green factory manufacturing.

The transport sector was highlighted as a focal point for reinforcing India's domestic energy security and reducing its macro-economic reliance on volatile fuel imports. Government and industry speakers mapped out a multi-fuel ecosystem designed to transition the country toward localised and clean energy pathways.

While the three-wheeler category is experiencing a fast transition driven by favourable unit economics, panellists called for accelerated adoption curves within the four-wheeler and public transport segments, specifically via electric buses.

India is actively advancing a wide range of low-carbon fuel alternatives, including biofuels, ethanol and isobutanol blends, flex-fuel configurations, compressed biogas (CBG), liquefied natural gas (LNG/CNG), green hydrogen and synthetic fuels.

Technical pathways involving coal gasification-based fuels are being structurally explored to further diversify domestic supply lines.

Experts noted that tech adoption cannot be driven by immediate costs alone; long-term scale will naturally deflate pricing over the next decade. Crucially, vehicle deployment and localised charging/refuelling networks must expand in tandem.

The conference was segmented into three core technical tracks, evaluating circularity, fuel diversification and manufacturing supply chains.

The first thematic session, ‘Circularity in the Automotive Sector: From Materials to End-of-Life Vehicles,’ focused on circular economy practices across the automotive value chain, including sustainable sourcing, recycling, resource efficiency, and end-of-life vehicle management was addressed by Guest of Honour Dr. Virender Sharma, Member Technical (Additional Secretary to Government of India level), Commission for Air Quality management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas. The session was chaired by M S Anand Kumar, Chairperson, SIAM Recycling & Material Groups, and Assistant Vice-President, TVS Motor Company, the session included presentations by Dr. Rashi Gupta, Founder & Managing Director, Vision Mechatronics; Bhuwan Purohit, Executive Director, Rubamin; Dr Swati Singh, Head of Regional Standards, South Asia (UL Standards and Engagements) and Abhijit Sen Roy, General Manager (TS), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), who shared perspectives on sustainable technologies, EPR frameworks, and circular resource recovery.

The session also included a panel discussion on ‘Building a Circular Automotive Value Chain,’ moderated by Sandeep Kumar Mohanty, Partner, PwC.

The second thematic session, ‘Alternate Fuels for Sustainable Mobility – Diversifying the Energy Mix: Pathways for Low-Carbon Fuels,’ focused on the role of alternate fuels in reducing transport emissions and supporting India’s mobility transition. Chaired by Vikram Gulati, Country Head & EVP – Corporate Affairs & Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the session included presentations by Dr. Santanu Gupta, Director Technical, Global Biofuels Alliance; Sumit Sarkar, Chief Executive Officer, Chhattisgarh Biofuel Development Authority and Santosh Gurunath, Chief Executive Officer, Umagine Hydrogen, who shared insights on global biofuel trends, agricultural residue-based fuels being developed, and elaborated on hydrogen as a pathway for low-carbon mobility.

A panel discussion on ‘Multi-Fuel Pathways to Achieve Sustainable Mobility,’ moderated by Atul Jairaj, Partner, Deloitte India, brought together Suruchi Bhadwal, TERI and Vedang Pittie, Harinagar Sugar Mills, along with the presenters and session chair. The discussion focused on the role of biofuels, hydrogen and other low-carbon fuels and the policy and infrastructure support needed to accelerate their adoption.

The third thematic session, ‘Decarbonising the Automotive Value Chain: Green Manufacturing and Sustainable Supply Chains,’ chaired by Suneet Deshmukh, Head Operations Excellence, Hero MotoCorp, discussed strategies for reducing emissions across manufacturing operations and supplychain.

The session included presentations by Chaitanya Kanuri, Director E-Mobility, WRI India; Mayur Karmarkar, Managing Director, International Copper Association India and Mohit Jauhari, Head SCM, Shriram Pistons and Rings, who shared insights on copper, critical minerals, rare earth magnets and elaborated on sustainable supply chain practices.

The session also included a panel discussion on ‘Accelerating the Transition to a Low-Carbon Automotive Value Chain,’ moderated by Pratik Shah, Partner, EY Parthenon. The panel brought together Parag Sharma, Stellantis; Lt Col Monish Ahuja (Retd), Punjab Renewable Energy Systems along with the session presenters. They discussed green manufacturing, renewable energy, sustainable sourcing and supply chain decarbonisation.

To actively support India's target of carbon neutrality by 2070 and the Viksit Bharat vision by 2047, SIAM formalized its long-term actions under six targeted environmental and structural initiatives – विद्युतीकरण (Electrification), जैविक पहल (Bio-Initiatives), चक्रीयता (Circularity), गैस गतिशीलता (Gas Mobility), हरित हाइड्रोजन (Green Hydrogen) and सुरक्षित सफर (Safe Journey).

Tarun Kapoor, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, stated during the opening session, "The transport sector must play a central role in strengthening India's energy security. We cannot continue to depend on large-scale fuel imports and, over time, must move towards fuels that can be produced within the country. While three-wheelers are ready for rapid electrification, we need much faster adoption in the four-wheeler segment as well."

Prashant K. Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, added, "We are living through a time of unprecedented challenges, from climate change and air pollution to energy security concerns. But every challenge also creates an opportunity and as the world's largest market for two-wheelers and three-wheelers, India has already demonstrated remarkable progress in sustainable mobility."

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Honda India Foundation (HIF) has provided 26 emergency response vehicles to the Udaipur Police to assist with patrol and mobility across the district.

The handover includes 25 Honda Shine 100 motorcycles, modified with emergency signalling systems, public address equipment, flashlights, storage units and safety gear. Furthermore, it has provided a Honda Elevate C-SUV, also outfitted for police requirements.

The vehicles are intended for use in tourist zones, urban centres and areas where manoeuvrability is necessary for police operations. This follows a previous contribution of 25 vehicles provided in February 2026 to support the Udaipur Police Tourist Patrolling Team.

The flag-off ceremony was attended by officials including Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh; Gaurav Agrawal, District Collector; Gaurav Srivastava, Inspector General of Police, Udaipur Range; Dr. Amrita Duhan, Superintendent of Police, Udaipur and Rajeev Taneja, Operating Officer, Honda India Foundation.

Gulab Chand Kataria said, “Udaipur is an important centre of public and tourist activity, and this effort will further strengthen our Police Patrolling Team to support public safety across the district. I appreciate Honda India Foundation for this meaningful contribution. Their continued engagement in such collaborative efforts contributes to strengthening public service delivery at the local level.”

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Fleet Management Limited has marked the International Day of the Seafarer by issuing a renewed call for the global community to acknowledge the often-overlooked civilian professionals who underpin international trade. The maritime services provider simultaneously introduced a new digital tool, named Pulse, aimed at delivering continuous and practical assistance to crew members while at sea.

In light of recent diplomatic efforts to stabilise regions such as the Strait of Hormuz, Fleet Management has voiced its support for multilateral actions designed to address the systemic vulnerabilities faced by merchant mariners. The company has highlighted a persistent pattern where civilian seafarers are disproportionately exposed to geopolitical tensions. The stance aligns with the International Maritime Organization's 2026 theme, which underscores the dual reality of seafarers carrying global trade while shouldering significant operational risks.

Since February, an estimated 20,000 civilian seafarers have navigated volatile maritime zones, with roughly 600 of those individuals under Fleet Management's direct supervision. The firm assesses any resumption of transit on a vessel-by-vessel basis, utilising specific risk matrices to ensure that every manoeuvre is deliberate and grounded in stringent safety standards. Support mechanisms under the Fleet Care programme include 24/7 mental health services and wellness initiatives, while the fleet maintains industry-leading insurance coverage for personnel both on duty and during leave.

The newly launched Pulse application is described as a digital lifeline designed to simplify administrative processes and consolidate essential documents for the company's 27,000 seafarers. Beyond reducing bureaucratic burdens, the platform offers uninterrupted access to critical health resources, ensuring that crew members remain connected to the Fleet Care network regardless of location. This technological advancement represents a significant evolution in the company's strategy to deliver consistent, everyday assistance to its global maritime community.

Complementing these operational enhancements, Fleet Management has initiated global advocacy campaigns this week to increase public awareness of seafarers' contributions. Targeted family outreach programmes have been conducted through crewing offices in India, the Philippines and China, alongside community activities and multi-city public campaigns.

These efforts are reinforced by substantial training investments, with the company issuing over 80,000 certificates annually and training 500 cadets each year at the International Maritime Institute to ensure a resilient and proficient workforce.

Dr Harry Banga, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Caravel Group and Fleet Management Limited, said, "Countries, industries and communities rely on seafarers to keep essential goods flowing. Waterways like the Strait of Hormuz are key arteries of the global economy. When disrupted, the impact is immediate. Costs rise. Supply chains tighten. Today is a reminder that the industry and governments must act decisively to uphold safe and free navigation, so seafarers can sail with confidence."

Captain Rajalingam Subramaniam, Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Management Limited, said, "As a company, and as an industry, we have a responsibility to speak up. Seafarers are civilians who carry responsibility in the face of risk and adversity, in conditions beyond their control. This must not become the new normal. They must be seen, heard and properly protected. We are encouraged by the IMO-led evacuation efforts underway to restore safe transit and hope confidence will soon rebuild."

Angad Banga, Chief Executive Officer of The Caravel Group and Executive Director of Fleet Management Limited, said, "Recognition has to translate into action. Not once a year, but every day. That means understanding the pressures our seafarers operate under and responding with consistent, practical support. At Fleet, this shows up in the decisions we make and the systems we build to support our crews."

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Mumbai-headquartered JSW Green Mobility, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JSW Group, has announced a strategic investment in Bengaluru-based Lithium Urban Technologies, an enterprise mobility platform backed by Eversource Capital. This partnership is intended to accelerate Lithium’s expansion across India’s growing electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and service market.

At present, Lithium Urban Technologies manages an integrated platform that includes over 3,000 electric vehicles, managing more than 25,000 daily trips, and a network of 1,300 charging stations. Fleet intelligence systems and centralised network operations centres serve over 100 enterprise customers.

The company is targeting 3x growth over the next two years. This expansion is expected to generate between 12,000 and 15,000 jobs as the firm scales its charging infrastructure and fleet deployment.

Parth Jindal, Managing Director, JSW Cement & JSW Paints, Chairman, JSW Dulux, said, "India’s mobility landscape is undergoing a structural transformation, driven by rapid urbanisation, electrification and the growing scale of digital commerce. We believe the future will be shaped by integrated, technology-led mobility platforms that can deliver reliability, operational efficiency and scale."

Don Thomas, CEO, Lithium Urban Technologies, added, "The opportunity ahead is not simply to replace vehicles, but to build the infrastructure, operating systems and technology capabilities required to make electrification work at scale."

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German luxury carmaker Porsche confirmed its financial forecast for the 2026 fiscal year and provided preliminary insights into its new ‘Strategy 2035’ at its 4^th Annual General Meeting held on 23 June 2026.

The strategy is designed to enhance profitability and strategic resilience through three primary pillars as outlined by Dr. Michael Leiters, CEO, Porsche, with full details to be presented at a Capital Markets Day on 7 October 2026.

• Brand & Customer: Porsche will refocus on its sports car DNA, design and exclusivity. The strategy shifts away from volume maximisation toward a focus on desirability and value.
• Products & Technology: The company plans to reduce model complexity by cutting the number of variants. Porsche will continue to invest in combustion, hybrid and electric powertrains, noting that the 911 will remain combustion-hybrid and will not move to a fully electric powertrain.
• Company & Operations: Porsche is structurally streamlining its organisation at all levels and investigating increased use of Volkswagen Group modular platforms. Discussions are ongoing regarding workforce adjustments to ensure long-term competitiveness.

Despite a challenging market environment, Porsche confirmed the financial targets for 2026 including 5.5 percent to 7.5 percent (factoring in EUR 800–900 million in one-off expenses and EUR 700 million in tariff costs) operating group return on sales. Group sales revenue to come at EUR 35-36 billion with automotive net cash-flow margin of 3 percent to 5 percent.

Furthermore, the Board of Directors of Porsche have proposed a dividend of EUR 1.00 per ordinary share and EUR 1.01 per preferred share for FY2025. While this payout exceeds the target ratio of 50 percent of consolidated profit after tax, it represents a decrease compared to the previous year, reflecting a move to maintain financial flexibility during the current transformation phase.

Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, reaffirmed his backing of CEO Dr. Michael Leiters, emphasising that while the necessary restructuring measures may be ‘uncomfortable,’ but they are essential for the company's future success.

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