Not only cleaner, it has to be sustainable too

If there was one common theme among the majority of the participants, and among almost all OEMs, at the recently concluded Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, it was EV (Electric Vehicle). It’s no longer a debate if EV is the future of the automobile industry. However, it’s also not the only technology option of future mobility, and that was also reflected by say the showcase of flexfuel vehicles by some major OEMs.

Talking about flex fuel, 2025 is a key year in the journey towards mass adoption of the alternative fuel as the E20 (20% mandatory blend in petrol) regulation kicks in from 1st April.

Enhancing sustainability of EVs

Coming back to EVs, they have some distance to cover to be truly green (shift from thermal power to renewable energy for electricity), and clean by adopting different methods to enhance their sustainability quotient. Below are a set of stories that reflect efforts in that direction.

Battery Passport: Transforming EV supply chains with data transparency, security and sustainability


Pure EV partners with BE Energy to launch battery reconditioning technology in India


Collaboration on the rise

The EV megatrend can also be seen as a great leveller in the industry. No industry player has any major lead in terms of years when it comes to engineering / technology competence for EVs. Which is why we see examples of major OEMs and start-ups joining hands for mutual benefits. A case in point is the VW-Rivian JV. Now, more OEMs could collaborate with the JV for tech. Details in the story below.

Rivian says other automakers 'knocking on door' about tech from VW joint venture


ICE tech not dying anytime soon

As much as there’s a growing trend of industry efforts for an expected EV era, the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) is going out anytime soon. As per global Tier1 major Schaeffler’s projection, ICE tech will remain the big daddy in the Indian market for another ten years for sure.

Schaeffler sees ICE dominating Indian market for a decade


Time to fly in cities?

Making the major cities, at least the metros, free of traffic congestion will be nothing short of achieving a miracle. Since that is so, it’s imperative that better, sustainable mobility solutions are developed. Expansion of the metro rail network is a welcome move. An interesting, and time-saving option will be air taxis. The sheer potential in India is good enough to attract foreign air taxi service providers. American firm Archer Aviation is set to be one among them.

Air taxi maker Archer plans India launch through JV by next year

Leveraging AI tech for more efficient traffic movement

Air taxis are set to become a reality, but not all road users may shift to the new mobility option. Cars will still remain the most preferred mobility option, and so will traffic congestion (at least in the major cities). AI technology can come to the rescue. How? Find out in the story below.

NIT Rourkela's AI-based vehicle detection model to aid in traffic management


R&D and Innovation hold the answers

Be it new forms of mobility, or making existing automobiles cleaner and sustainable, finding innovative ways is imperative, and so is enhanced R&D efforts. The following contents highlight the growing importance and cruciality of advanced innovation and R&D.

How innovation and R&D can propel new energy vehicle (NEVs) adoption


NRB Bearings embraces sustainable materials and hybrid technologies to drive green transformation


Transforming waste to fuel

Sustainability is no longer just a buzz word. It is the need of the hour, if we want to conserve the limited resources that planet Earth has and protect ourselves from climate crisis. One key approach, and opportunity is creating value out of waste. It can be done in multiple ways. One of them is to create fuel out of plastic waste. Given India’s annual estimated plastic waste generation of over 9 million tons, the opportunity in the country is huge.

Unconventional fuel options


Connected tech: The other big megatrend on the rise

EVs are talked about the most, but there’s the other megatrend of Connected Vehicle that’s swiftly gaining ground. And, it’s powertrain agnostic! Today, be it a passenger car, or a commercial vehicle, having connected tech is almost a hygiene factor. And, customers are demanding it too.

Hyundai Motor India surpasses 6.75 lakh connected car sales with Bluelink technology


Even as there are lakhs of connected vehicles on the road, the connected tech story still may be just beginning. There’s much more that can be done with connected technology, inside and outside the vehicle. What will be the progression path the megatrend will take in India, and globally? Find out from technologists and industry leaders at the 5th ETAuto Connected Vehicle Summit, on 20th February, at Hilton Chennai.

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