Ola Electric's Ananthan Advocates Circular Economy from Design Stage
ECONOMY & POLICY

Ola Electric's Ananthan Advocates Circular Economy from Design Stage

In recent decades, technological advancements in India have become a significant trend, leading to increased exploration of sustainable opportunities across various sectors. Industry experts suggest that sustainability in the Indian auto industry can be achieved through proper manufacturing practices supported by a circular economy, along with the upskilling of human resources. The circular economy involves extensive use of materials throughout all stages of production, consumption, and recycling.

According to Kausalya Nandkumar, COO of Mahindra Electric Automobile, this economic scenario not only promotes sustainability but also reduces manufacturing and ownership costs. She pointed out that the tangible benefits of adopting a circular economy make it a sensible choice for businesses. Nandkumar noted that the economic rationale is compelling, as data indicates that utilising recycled, refurbished, and remanufactured items can lower both manufacturing and ownership costs.

Kripa Ananthan, Head of Design at Ola Electric, stated during the ETAuto Tech Summit 2024 in Bengaluru that for India to advance technologically and develop in-house technologies rather than following Western models, a circular economy is essential. She emphasized that starting technology development now would enable India to utilize its own technology and lead the field.

Ananthan also highlighted that sustainability can be promoted from the design stage of a product by incorporating features that extend the product's life, facilitate reuse, repurpose, or remanufacture. She mentioned that Indian consumers typically purchase vehicles with the intention of long-term use, making sustainability a crucial consideration in vehicle design. Nandkumar echoed this sentiment, explaining that achieving a balance between functionality, enhanced features, and responsible materials at an affordable price is key. She warned that if the cost becomes excessively high, it could deter consumers from owning such products.

In recent decades, technological advancements in India have become a significant trend, leading to increased exploration of sustainable opportunities across various sectors. Industry experts suggest that sustainability in the Indian auto industry can be achieved through proper manufacturing practices supported by a circular economy, along with the upskilling of human resources. The circular economy involves extensive use of materials throughout all stages of production, consumption, and recycling. According to Kausalya Nandkumar, COO of Mahindra Electric Automobile, this economic scenario not only promotes sustainability but also reduces manufacturing and ownership costs. She pointed out that the tangible benefits of adopting a circular economy make it a sensible choice for businesses. Nandkumar noted that the economic rationale is compelling, as data indicates that utilising recycled, refurbished, and remanufactured items can lower both manufacturing and ownership costs. Kripa Ananthan, Head of Design at Ola Electric, stated during the ETAuto Tech Summit 2024 in Bengaluru that for India to advance technologically and develop in-house technologies rather than following Western models, a circular economy is essential. She emphasized that starting technology development now would enable India to utilize its own technology and lead the field. Ananthan also highlighted that sustainability can be promoted from the design stage of a product by incorporating features that extend the product's life, facilitate reuse, repurpose, or remanufacture. She mentioned that Indian consumers typically purchase vehicles with the intention of long-term use, making sustainability a crucial consideration in vehicle design. Nandkumar echoed this sentiment, explaining that achieving a balance between functionality, enhanced features, and responsible materials at an affordable price is key. She warned that if the cost becomes excessively high, it could deter consumers from owning such products.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

TBO Tek Q2 Profit Climbs 12%, Revenue Surges 26% YoY

TBO Tek Limited one of the world’s largest travel distribution platforms, reported a solid performance for Q2 FY26 with a 26 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue to Rs 5.68 billion, reflecting broad-based growth and improving profitability.The company recorded a Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of Rs 8,901 crore, up 12 per cent YoY, driven by strong performance across Europe, MEA, and APAC regions. Adjusted EBITDA before acquisition-related costs stood at Rs 1.04 billion, up 16 per cent YoY, translating into an 18.32 per cent margin compared to 16.56 per cent in Q1 FY26. Profit after tax r..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Northern Graphite, Rain Carbon Secure R&D Grant for Greener Battery Materials

Northern Graphite Corporation and Rain Carbon Canada Inc, a subsidiary of Rain Carbon Inc, have jointly received up to C$860,000 (€530,000) in funding under the Canada–Germany Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme to develop sustainable battery anode materials.The two-year, C$2.2 million project aims to transform natural graphite processing by-products into high-performance, battery-grade anode material (BAM). Supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Programme (NRC IRAP) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs a..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Antony Waste Q2 Revenue Jumps 16%; Subsidiary Wins Rs 3,200 Cr WtE Projects

Antony Waste Handling Cell Limited (AWHCL), a leading player in India’s municipal solid waste management sector, announced a 16 per cent year-on-year increase in total operating revenue to Rs 2.33 billion for Q2 FY26. The growth was driven by higher waste volumes, escalated contracts, and strong operational execution.EBITDA rose 18 per cent to Rs 570 million, with margins steady at 21.6 per cent, while profit after tax stood at Rs 173 million, up 13 per cent YoY. Revenue from Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Transportation (MSW C&T) reached Rs 1.605 billion, and MSW Processing re..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement