Shift towards electric mobility inevitable: Amitabh Kant

28 Aug 2021 CW Team

Indian think-tank NITI Aayog’s CEO Amitabh Kant urged automakers to move forward with their electric vehicle plans as the transition of automobiles towards electric mobility is inevitable.

The NITI Aayog head also emphasised the requirement to adopt an indigenous route for EVs, produce a robust supply chain and lessen dependency on imports from China.

The Indian manufacturers must understand that we are in the middle of the biggest transition and will become inevitable whether you like it or not, he said at the 61st annual conference of the Auto Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA).

He said that the domestic manufacturers should use the opportunity to lead the disruptive change and strive for a strategic role in the global value chain.

As per Kant, it is critical for the country to indigenise in EV manufacturing and its parts and support mass adoption.

He warned that the EV industry should not choose the route followed by the solar power sector.

He said it’s an opportunity for the component industry of India to de-risk, diversify its portfolio, and become part of a global supply chain.

He said a persistent rise in petrol prices and a policy push by the center and states has encouraged manufacturers of e-scooters to launch them at a cost that is only marginally higher than comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) powered models. Higher demand has prompted e-scooter producers to produce large capacities in the world's largest two-wheeler market.

While electrification in the two-wheeler and shared mobility segments will be fast, personal car buyers will have to wait till cost parity between ICE cars and e-cars is reached. India's low car penetration—21 per 1,000 people, as against Europe’s 850 per 1,000, and United States 960 per 1,000, will make the shift from ICE to EVs smoother as the country will not have any legacy problems, Kant believes.

India is committed to decreasing carbon emissions by 25% by 2030. EVs are one way India can achieve this target, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Both Acma and Siam have collectively developed a localisation roadmap for the automobile sector, said Kenichi Ayukawa, President, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), and MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India.

Image Source

Also read: Thirteen states in India approve dedicated electric vehicle policies

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

Indian think-tank NITI Aayog’s CEO Amitabh Kant urged automakers to move forward with their electric vehicle plans as the transition of automobiles towards electric mobility is inevitable. The NITI Aayog head also emphasised the requirement to adopt an indigenous route for EVs, produce a robust supply chain and lessen dependency on imports from China. The Indian manufacturers must understand that we are in the middle of the biggest transition and will become inevitable whether you like it or not, he said at the 61st annual conference of the Auto Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA). He said that the domestic manufacturers should use the opportunity to lead the disruptive change and strive for a strategic role in the global value chain. As per Kant, it is critical for the country to indigenise in EV manufacturing and its parts and support mass adoption. He warned that the EV industry should not choose the route followed by the solar power sector. He said it’s an opportunity for the component industry of India to de-risk, diversify its portfolio, and become part of a global supply chain. He said a persistent rise in petrol prices and a policy push by the center and states has encouraged manufacturers of e-scooters to launch them at a cost that is only marginally higher than comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) powered models. Higher demand has prompted e-scooter producers to produce large capacities in the world's largest two-wheeler market. While electrification in the two-wheeler and shared mobility segments will be fast, personal car buyers will have to wait till cost parity between ICE cars and e-cars is reached. India's low car penetration—21 per 1,000 people, as against Europe’s 850 per 1,000, and United States 960 per 1,000, will make the shift from ICE to EVs smoother as the country will not have any legacy problems, Kant believes. India is committed to decreasing carbon emissions by 25% by 2030. EVs are one way India can achieve this target, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Both Acma and Siam have collectively developed a localisation roadmap for the automobile sector, said Kenichi Ayukawa, President, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), and MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India. Image Source Also read: Thirteen states in India approve dedicated electric vehicle policies

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..