SIAM outlines ways to sustainable mobility, Tatas pledge to put India on global EV map

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) held its 64th annual convention focused on "Sustainable Mobility Journey towards Viksit Bharat", with industry leaders and policymakers discussing on the pivotal role of sustainable mobility in achieving Viksit Bharat goals by 2047.

In his special message to the convention, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi emphasized on the need for the automobile sector to set an example for others to follow, saying, "The road ahead demands that our progress is rapid while also being sustainable. Working on greener and cleaner mobility is a vital step in this direction".

The chief guest, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, highlighted government initiatives and vision for sustainable transportation, stating, "Our ambition is to extend India's auto industry as the number one auto manufacturing industry worldwide. As we target a carbon-neutral status by 2070, innovation and sustainable practices in the auto sector are crucial."

The session's guest of honor, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, spoke on the importance of industrial growth aligned with sustainability goals, remarking, "We are aggressively promoting electric mobility. Government policies are geared to fuel this transition, fostering a conducive environment for industry growth and sustainable development."

Vinod Aggarwal, President of SIAM and Managing Director & CEO of Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles Ltd, highlighted the automobile industry's role in driving sustainable mobility. "SIAM's commitment to decarbonization and safety is steadfast. With initiatives like the FAME program fueling a 90 percent growth in electric passenger vehicles… we are steering towards cleaner, greener mobility," he stated.

The convention discussed strategies for India to achieve global leadership in sustainable mobility, with Shailesh Chandra, Vice President of SIAM and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd commenting: "Attaining global leadership in sustainable mobility demands our focus on critical future areas such as hydrogen utilization, adoption of circular economy, and shared mobility solutions. We will explore strategies for aggressive localization in India's manufacturing sector. Additionally, we will look at methodologies to position India among the top five low-cost manufacturers globally, leveraging our unique capabilities and innovations."

Speaking about technological innovation to serve as catalysts in achieving sustainable mobility, S Sandilya, Past President, SIAM and Group Chairman of Royal Enfield spoke about batteries and hydrogen mobility, telling the convention, "Battery technology is the cornerstone of sustainable energy, crucial for addressing range anxiety in electric vehicles. Additionally, hydrogen energy and fuel cells present significant opportunities for creating environmentally friendly vehicles."