Govt Plans Six-Month Import Relief for E-Bus, Truck Makers

17 Sep 2025 CW Team

The relief is expected to benefit companies such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, PMI Electro Mobility, JBM Auto, EKA Mobility, Olectra Greentech, Propel, and IPLT Demo. The exemption will apply provided all other localisation requirements are met.

However, officials clarified that the reprieve will not extend to two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers. Companies like Ola Electric and Bajaj Auto are reportedly already adopting alternatives such as low rare earth magnets, ferrite-based magnets, and magnet-less designs, reducing the need for relaxation in this segment.

Supply chain challenges

E-buses and e-trucks remain highly dependent on permanent rare earth magnets and face acute supply shortages due to China’s new licensing policy, which has delayed export approvals to Indian component makers. An EV typically requires about 3 kg of rare earth magnets, compared with 100 grams in an internal combustion vehicle. For electric buses, the requirement can range between 7 and 30 kg.

With China controlling nearly 70 per cent of rare earth mining and 90 per cent of magnet production, the supply disruption poses a strategic challenge.

Strategic timing

The relief comes as the government prepares to launch a tender for 10,000 e-buses under the PM E-Drive scheme. The programme allocates nearly half its outlay to buses and trucks — Rs 43.91 billion for e-buses and Rs 5 billion for clean trucks — with support continuing until March 2028. Subsidies for two and three-wheelers will end in March 2026.

Temporary measure

Officials emphasised that the import relaxation is temporary and will be withdrawn once China resumes timely approvals or domestic alternatives become viable. Alongside, the government is developing a Rs 50-billion rare earth magnet manufacturing programme to produce 6,000 MT of permanent magnets locally and reduce import dependence. n

News source: Financial Express

The government is considering a six-month relaxation for electric bus and truck manufacturers, allowing them to import fully assembled motors containing heavy rare earth materials without losing eligibility for incentives under the Rs 109-billion PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-Drive) scheme.The relief is expected to benefit companies such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, PMI Electro Mobility, JBM Auto, EKA Mobility, Olectra Greentech, Propel, and IPLT Demo. The exemption will apply provided all other localisation requirements are met.However, officials clarified that the reprieve will not extend to two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers. Companies like Ola Electric and Bajaj Auto are reportedly already adopting alternatives such as low rare earth magnets, ferrite-based magnets, and magnet-less designs, reducing the need for relaxation in this segment.Supply chain challengesE-buses and e-trucks remain highly dependent on permanent rare earth magnets and face acute supply shortages due to China’s new licensing policy, which has delayed export approvals to Indian component makers. An EV typically requires about 3 kg of rare earth magnets, compared with 100 grams in an internal combustion vehicle. For electric buses, the requirement can range between 7 and 30 kg.With China controlling nearly 70 per cent of rare earth mining and 90 per cent of magnet production, the supply disruption poses a strategic challenge.Strategic timingThe relief comes as the government prepares to launch a tender for 10,000 e-buses under the PM E-Drive scheme. The programme allocates nearly half its outlay to buses and trucks — Rs 43.91 billion for e-buses and Rs 5 billion for clean trucks — with support continuing until March 2028. Subsidies for two and three-wheelers will end in March 2026.Temporary measureOfficials emphasised that the import relaxation is temporary and will be withdrawn once China resumes timely approvals or domestic alternatives become viable. Alongside, the government is developing a Rs 50-billion rare earth magnet manufacturing programme to produce 6,000 MT of permanent magnets locally and reduce import dependence. nNews source: Financial Express

Infrastructure Urban

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..