Autocar Professional - Latest Articles

Made in India: The Next Frontier of Tech Sovereignty

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 12:15:51

Semiconductors have moved from being an industry to becoming an instrument of strategy. The pandemic, supply chain shocks, and geopolitical flashpoints have shown how access to chips determines a nation’s economic rhythm. In a multipolar world, self-reliance is not isolation; it is the ability to build trusted, resilient ecosystems that can withstand uncertainty. For India, the semiconductor and electronics story is no longer distant, it has begun.

The global semiconductor market is projected to reach US $1 trillion by 2030, while India’s domestic electronics market could cross US $100 billion. This growth is driven by demand from mobile devices, automotive systems, renewable energy, healthcare, defence, and smart infrastructure. Whoever controls semiconductors controls innovation; whoever designs them defines the next decade of technology.

India’s policy architecture is beginning to reflect that reality. The India Semiconductor Mission, launched in 2021 with an outlay of around ₹76,000 crore, has approved ten projects across six states, attracting ₹1.6 lakh crore in investments. Simultaneously, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has catalysed an electronics surge: exports rose 47 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of FY 2026, and mobile phone exports have grown from almost zero in 2016 to nearly ₹90,000 crore in FY 2023. Scale is finally matching ambition.

But building an industry is not the same as building sovereignty. True sovereignty begins with design, research, and intellectual property, areas where India has made progress but still has distance to cover. Much of the design ecosystem depends on foreign electronic design automation tools and imported IP cores. India needs a homegrown framework that supports local standards, security, and innovation. The real question is not only whether we can make chips but whether we can design the thinking that makes chips possible.

Talent lies at the centre of that challenge. For decades, Indian engineers have fuelled global innovation in software. The next leap demands a shift from code to circuits, from platforms to physics. Each chip requires not just coding intelligence but deep understanding of material science, lithography, and system integration. Universities and industry must collaborate to create a pipeline of semiconductor intellect, programs that combine design thinking with fabrication fundamentals. India produces over 600,000 electronics engineers every year; aligning even a fraction toward chip design and manufacturing can transform national capability.

Across India, new regional clusters are taking shape. Gujarat is advancing in fabrication and packaging; Bengaluru dominates design; Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh are strengthening assembly and testing; Mohali is emerging as a hub for prototyping. Each reflects a pattern; policy incentives creating gravity for private capital, and enterprise creating learning cycles for local talent. Over time, this distributed network could become India’s greatest strength: a federation of specialised capabilities linked through a shared national mission.

Challenges remain significant. More than 90 percent of India’s advanced wafers, chemicals, and substrates are still imported, increasing costs and risks. Fabs require clean rooms, reliable power, and ultrapure water, conditions not yet universal. Logistics costs, though improving, remain higher than competing economies. If every percentage point in logistics cost translates into export competitiveness, this is the quiet battle India must win.

Equally important is quality and sustainability. The next wave of global manufacturing will reward reliability, not just cost. India’s reputation will depend on precision, compliance, and responsible production, turning factories into long-term partnerships rather than transactional suppliers. The environmental footprint of fabrication offers another opportunity: to build green fabs and embed ESG principles into industrial design from the outset.

The coming three to four years will be decisive. Fabrication plants are moving from MoUs to site development, silicon-carbide packaging is on the horizon, and India’s OSAT ecosystem is maturing. These will test how well national policy, state initiatives, and private execution can synchronise. They will determine whether India can evolve from an assembler to a full-stack semiconductor nation, owning research, design, production, and value creation.

Yet the deeper questions remain: How do we ensure Indian-designed chips remain Indian-owned in value and rights? How do we foster shared research frameworks that protect intellectual property while encouraging collaboration? And how do we pair patient capital with patient innovation in a sector where outcomes are measured in decades, not quarters?

India’s neutrality, software heritage, and young technical workforce position it uniquely to be a trusted node in a diversified global supply chain. If we can connect design with manufacturing, research with policy, and education with execution, we can define a model of technological sovereignty that is inclusive, collaborative, and resilient.

Semiconductors are not just about chips; they are about choices—the choice to invest long term, to design what we use, and to value knowledge as much as production. If India sustains that discipline, the next decade will not just be about making in India, it will be about making the future with India.

Rahul Garg is the Founder and CEO at Moglix. Views expressed are the author's personal.

How IoT-powered Telematics Helps Reduce Accidents in e-Two Wheelers

Arunima Pal — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 12:27:26

India’s two-wheeler segment is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by electrification and smart digital solutions. As the country shifts its focus toward sustainable mobility, two-wheelers are leading the charge in electric vehicle adoption. Electrification not only offers environmental benefits but also introduces advanced connectivity features. Integrating IoT-based innovations such as vehicle telematics into electric two-wheelers helps enhance rider safety.

The need for these digital solutions stems from the fact that despite scooters and bikes being the backbone of India’s urban, semi-urban or rural transport, two-wheeler riders are among the most vulnerable road users across the country. As per the “Road Accidents in India 2023” report, two-wheeler riders’ account for the highest share of road incidents with 45% or 77,539 fatalities recorded in 2023. Additionally, another report from the Crime Reports Bureau stated that in the city of Bengaluru alone, 1,368 vehicles were stolen in April 2025, of which, 1,327 were two-wheelers.

These reports emphasise the urgent need for advanced rider safety features like live tracking, predictive fault detection, riding pattern analysis and other communication-based theft and safety services.

Safety Applications Enabled by Telematics Data
Telematics solutions use data gathered by multiple embedded sensors and connectivity modules to form an intelligent ecosystem in electric two-wheelers. This dynamic system provides smart and intuitive safety mechanisms which can learn and adapt to reduce the risk for riders.

Some of the safety applications which use telematics data to help improve rider safety include:

Rider Behaviour Analytics: Telematics platforms on electric two-wheelers continuously analyse riding behaviour by collecting data based on speed, braking patterns, cornering and acceleration. The data is then translated into insights showcasing risky riding patterns such as harsh braking or erratic manoeuvres. The telematics platform offers behavioural nudges in the form of in-app feedback or gamified rewards, which help riders to correct their habits and acts as a deterrent for such accident-prone practices.
Predictive Maintenance and remote diagnosis: IoT sensors are used to continuously monitor the health of various critical systems in EV two-wheelers. This includes tracking battery health and motor temperature, as well as brake wear and tyre pressure. Any anomalies detected are then immediately alerted to riders either via the two-wheeler’s dashboard or mobile application. The early intervention helps prevent unexpected breakdowns, while also improving vehicle reliability, which inevitably translates to safer journeys.
Accident Detection and Emergency Response: In the unfortunate case of an accident, the telematics system in electric two-wheelers can instantly detect the severity of the crash via gyroscopes and accelerometers. The system then triggers alerts and sends the vehicle’s GPS location to designated emergency contacts – drastically dropping response time which translates to quicker medical assistance, significantly reducing the risk of fatalities.
Proactive Risk Avoidance: Along with analysing riding patterns, the advanced IoT systems in the two-wheelers also proactively mitigate risks with sensors which detect road hazards, potholes and other obstacles. Machine learning models analyse accident-prone zones and traffic conditions to provide intelligent guidance to riders to avoid any dangers – creating a proactive safety net during each ride.
Vehicle Security & Live Tracking: Telematics systems also provide live GPS tracking on modern electric two-wheelers, offering riders real-time location updates, unauthorised movement and tampering alerts, crucial for theft prevention and recovery.

Challenges & Considerations

While the integration of IoT enabled Telematics systems in modern electric two-wheelers do provide proactive safety features, there are a few challenges and concerns to be addressed:

Rider Privacy: With IoT sensors in EV two-wheeler telematics systems collecting data on how and where people ride, manufacturers must strictly follow the country’s data protection law. Also, it is important for OEMs to provide riders clear control on what data can be shared or collected.
Affordability: In a cost-sensitive market like India, it becomes essential that smart safety solutions remain affordable to consumers. This can be ensured via government policy support, modular designs that allow phased upgrades and economies of scale.
Reliability of AI algorithms: Most of the smart safety solutions depend on a lot of AI modules and algorithms. To ensure consistent and predictable operations of these systems, continuous efforts need to be made to ensure fail-safe mechanisms.

Conclusion
The integration of telematics systems in India’s electric two-wheelers marks a transformative shift towards smarter and safer urban mobility. Given the concerns of rider accidents and vehicle theft, features like real-time tracking, predictive maintenance, and automated accident detection are no longer luxuries but critical necessities.

As the Indian two-wheeler industry evolves, telematics solutions will become central to securing a safer, more secure, and sustainable future for urban mobility.

Sharad Bairathi is Managing Director, Embitel Technologies. Views expressed are the author's personal.

The Indian Customer Experience Revolution: Where Trust Meets Expectation in a Digital-First Economy

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:01:54

In the bustling marketplace of global customer experience, India stands as a fascinating paradox – a nation where ancient relationship-building traditions merge seamlessly with cutting-edge digital expectations. The 2025 CX Global Insights report reveals a compelling story of how Indian consumers are reshaping the very definition of customer experience, setting benchmarks that are both uniquely Indian and globally relevant.

The Experience-First Consumer Economy

Picture this: In a country where 71% of customers actively choose brands because they know the experience will be good, India has quietly become one of the world's most experience-conscious markets. This statistic places India ahead of most developed economies, signaling a fundamental shift in consumer behavior. Unlike markets where price sensitivity traditionally dominated purchasing decisions, Indian consumers have evolved to prioritize experiential value – a remarkable transformation for an economy still developing its middle class.

What makes this even more striking is that 62% of Indian customers are willing to pay premium prices for better experiences. This willingness to invest in quality experiences positions India uniquely on the global stage, where such figures typically hover around 34-52% in other major markets. It's a clear indication that Indian consumers don't just want good products; they demand memorable, emotionally resonant interactions.

The AI Optimism: A Global Anomaly

Perhaps nowhere is India's distinctive approach to customer experience more evident than in its relationship with artificial intelligence. While consumers in markets like the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany show skepticism about AI benefits – with 47%, 45%, and 43% respectively believing companies will benefit most from AI – Indian consumers display remarkable optimism. A significant 31% of Indian customers believe they themselves will be the primary beneficiaries of AI integration.

This trust differential reveals something profound about the Indian market's relationship with technology and brand promises. It suggests a consumer base that sees technology not as a threat to personal service, but as an enabler of better experiences. This perspective positions Indian companies to leverage AI more effectively in customer experience strategies, knowing they have an audience ready to embrace innovation.

The Emotional Connection Imperative

The research uncovers a powerful truth about the Indian market: emotional attachment drives everything. Customers who feel emotionally connected to brands show dramatically higher Net Promoter Scores (59 vs 38 for functionally satisfied customers), better retention rates (70% vs 52%), and become powerful advocates who recommend brands 8.24 times annually compared to just 7.26 times for functionally satisfied customers.

This emotional dynamic is amplified by India's strong word-of-mouth culture. An impressive 84% of Indian customers say recommendations influenced their brand choices – one of the highest rates globally. This creates what researchers call the "Advocacy Ripple Effect," where customers acquired through recommendations become even more active promoters themselves, recommending brands 9.79 times annually.

The Forces Driving Success

Indian customer experience is primarily driven by what researchers call "hygiene factors" – Certainty and Fair Treatment – suggesting that getting the basics right remains paramount. However, Indian brands also excel in differentiators like Enjoyment and Status, indicating a market that values both reliability and delight.

This dual focus creates opportunities and challenges. While brands like mobile network providers and insurers lead with 54% emotional attachment rates, traditional sectors like banking and supermarkets lag at 49% and 48% respectively, highlighting significant room for improvement in fundamental service sectors.

Global Implications and the Path Forward

India's CX landscape offers valuable lessons for global markets. The combination of high experience expectations, AI optimism, and strong emotional drivers suggests a market that's leapfrogging traditional customer experience evolution. Indian consumers aren't just catching up to global standards – they're setting new ones.

The key differentiator between best and worst performers isn't just meeting expectations – it's exceeding them consistently. The most successful brands create memorable experiences that build emotional connections, leading to higher customer lifetime values and organic acquisition through recommendations.

The Indian CX story is ultimately one of transformation – from a price-sensitive market to an experience-first economy where trust, emotion, and technology converge to create unprecedented opportunities for brands willing to invest in genuine customer relationships. For global businesses, India isn't just another market to enter; it's a laboratory for the future of customer experience.

Balaji Pandiaraj is the Group Head CX (Customer Experience) & AMD (Automotive & Mobility Development) at Ipsos India.Views expressed are the author's personal.

What Is UBI Motor Insurance and How Does It Work?

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 13:52:40

The experience of looking at your insurance premium and thinking, "My premium costs the same as before, although I rarely drive," is one many modern drivers can relate to. With hybrid work arrangements, reduced road travel, and increased interest in careful journey planning, driving habits are evolving rapidly.

Yet, insurance pricing hasn’t quite kept up. This is where Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) offers a smart, timely solution, providing not just intelligent protection but also fairer pricing based on actual driving behaviour.

What Is UBI?

Under the Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) system, your premium depends on how much and how well you drive, instead of traditional factors like vehicle age, location, or residence.

There are two broad types:

The Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD) system charges drivers according to their mileage, so lower usage leads to lower premiums. The insurance plan is suitable for drivers who only drive their cars occasionally.
The Pay-How-You-Drive (PHYD) system analyses your driving conduct by evaluating your braking patterns along with your speed levels during nighttime and additional driving behaviours.

Insurers use the created driver profile scores and Telematics data gathered through smartphone applications, plug-in devices, and built-in vehicle sensors to determine individual premium rates. The benefit of adopting UBI is that the system operates without constant surveillance, as it exists to provide both fairness and accountability, which is the current demand.

Why UBI Makes Sense Right Now

Two drivers with identical vehicles and living in the same urban area should not receive equal premium rates when one frequently drives aggressively, while the other barely drives even during weekends.

UBI flips the conventional model, offering lower premiums to drivers who have reduced mileage and demonstrate safe driving habits. By tying cost behaviour, it allows users to gain better control over their insurance spending. In an age where digital-first users value transparency, from food delivery apps to investment apps, UBI appears to be a great fit.

UBI vs Regular Insurance

Choosing between UBI and Traditional Insurance Cover boils down to individual driving habits. Where traditional motor insurance is a one size fits all model, with fixed premiums based on broad risk factors. It offers predictability and peace of mind who is ideal for daily drivers who values stability over flexibility.

On the other hand, UBI works best for those who drive less or drive smart. Hybrid workers, non-daily commuters and weekend drivers benefits the most from flexible pricing that rewards low mileage and safe habits. It’s a clear case of getting out what you put in, drawing a direct proportion between how you drive and what you pay, which leverages meaningful savings.

Although, regular insurance remains beneficial for customers who dislike data-sharing or want to maintain fixed insurance premiums.

What position does India hold in this development process?

We’re getting there. Slowly but surely.

The IRDAI launched PHYD and PAYD models under its regulatory sandbox in 2019, paving way for innovation in pricing and product design. The 2025 framework builds on this a broader, principle based approach
Several insurers – including ours – are piloting app based telematics and behaviour linked discount, targeting digital first urban consumers who are comfortable sharing motor driving data
India recorded 480,652 road accidents and over 172,000 fatalities in 2023 according to MoRTH – a stark reminder of the urgent need for systems that encouragesafer driving

Global UBI Trends

Usage-based insurance (UBI) is picking up speed globally, with the market projected to surge from $26.8 billion in 2022 to over $267 billion by 2032, according to Allied Market Research. The U.S. and U.K. are ahead of the curve, rolling out pay-how-you-drive (PHYD) models at scale—fuelled by a generation of digital natives willing to trade driving data for lower premiums.

So, What’s the Catch?

The positive aspects of UBI do not erase its existing obstacles.

People experience natural concern about their driving data being monitored despite receiving insurance benefits.
The lack of built-in telematics technology limits access to this technology.
People in urban areas demonstrate low levels of digital literacy and low awareness about these models in non-metro regions.
The majority of customers remain unaware about this insurance option because they lack proper education about it.

These challenges have identifiable solutions. Insurance coverage would improve significantly through clear opt-ins together with user-friendly applications and enhanced communication practices.

The Road Ahead

UBI is more than a tweak to traditional insurance—it's a mindset shift the industry has long put on the back burner. By aligning premiums with real-world driving behaviour, insurers can price policies more accurately and, in turn, build lasting trust with their customers.

For consumers, it’s a move away from being just another policy number. UBI recognises people as individuals—with unique habits, routines, and choices—offering personalised attention in a space that’s often felt impersonal.

As our roads get smarter, insurance providers can no longer afford to stay in the slow lane. Embracing technology isn’t just a competitive edge—it’s fast becoming a necessity.

Pooja Yadav is the Chief Product Officer at Zuno General Insurance. Views expressed are the author's personal.

How Festive Demand is Reshaping India’s Auto Sector

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 13:46:06

India’s automotive sector is witnessing a pivotal festive season, shaped by evolving consumer preferences, policy reforms, and digital transformation. A recent pan-India survey conducted by Grant Thornton Bharat, covering over 2,800 respondents across digital platforms and age groups, provides valuable insights into the factors influencing vehicle purchases this year.

The findings offer a strategic view into how affordability, safety, premiumisation, and technology are driving consumer decisions— and how these shifts are redefining the festive auto market.

The festive season has traditionally been a high-sales period, but this year it marks a deeper transformation. The rollout of GST 2.0 has significantly altered the affordability landscape. With tax rates on small cars reduced from 28% to 18%, and a simplified 40% slab for larger vehicles, acquisition costs have dropped across vehicle categories.

This has reignited interest in entry-level vehicles, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where price sensitivity remains high. The survey reveals that nearly 72% of respondents had deferred their purchase decisions in anticipation of these reforms.

Consumer preferences are also shifting in favour of hybrid vehicles, which emerged as the most preferred fuel category in the survey, ahead of petrol and EVs. 38% of respondents prefer hybrid vehicles, outpacing petrol (30%) and EVs (21%),signaling a clear consumer shift towards transitional, fuel-efficient technologies. While EVs continue to face infrastructure and range challenges, hybrids offer a practical alternative, especially in semi-urban and rural markets.

State-level incentives, such as road tax waivers in certain states, have further boosted hybrid adoption. OEMs are responding strategically, with over 15 hybrid models launched in the past year and around 8 models lined up for launch by March 2026.

Urban consumers are redefining value in vehicle purchases. The survey shows that over 65% of respondents are willing to pay a 10–15% premium for high-end variants, with a significant portion open to stretching their budgets even further. This appetite for premiumisation is driven by rising disposable incomes, stable interest rates translating into seamless vehicle financing, and a desire for enhanced features and aesthetics.

Vehicles are increasingly seen as lifestyle statements, and OEMs are responding with differentiated trims, luxury interiors, and connected car features that cater to this aspirational mindset.

Safety and technology have become central to the purchase decision. For the first time, safety has overtaken price and mileage as the top consideration for buyers, cited by 34% of survey respondents. Regulatory mandates like six airbags, ABS, and Bharat NCAP crash ratings have elevated consumer awareness. Simultaneously, tech integration—ranging from infotainment systems to smart interfaces—is now a baseline expectation.

Consumers are actively comparing models based on their digital capabilities, and OEMs are embedding advanced tech even in mid-range variants. This reflects a broader lifestyle shift, where digital fluency and smart living are influencing purchase behaviour across categories.

The way consumers discover and buy vehicles is also changing. Digital platforms have become central to the customer journey, with social media, car apps, and automotive websites playing a key role in model discovery and comparison. The survey highlights that 52% of respondents use both online and offline channels before making a purchase, indicating a blended buying journey. While digital research drives initial interest, physical dealership visits remain essential for validation through test drives and in-person interactions. This hybrid behaviour demands an omnichannel strategy from OEMs, ensuring seamless integration between digital engagement and physical execution.

Financing continues to be a critical enabler of demand. With stable interest rates and rising disposable incomes, consumers are more confident about upgrading their vehicles. A majority prefer a mix of loans and self-funding, supported by easy processing and flexible repayment options. The availability of green car loans and EV-specific financing products is further supporting the shift toward sustainable mobility. In rural markets, digital lending platforms are enhancing accessibility, making vehicle ownership more inclusive.

Interestingly, alternative ownership models like leasing and subscriptions are gaining traction. While traditional ownership still dominates, 37% of consumers surveyed are actively considering flexible options that offer relief from upfront costs and long- term commitments. These models are particularly attractive to urban professionals and fleet users and align with the broader trend of mobility-as-a-service. OEMs and financial service providers have an opportunity to educate consumers, simplify onboarding, and bundle value-added services to make these models more mainstream.

Strategic Implications for OEMs and Stakeholders

The festive season is no longer just a tactical sales opportunity—it is a strategic lens into the future of India’s mobility landscape. To stay competitive and relevant, OEMs must act on several fronts:

Product Strategy: The revival of small cars and the rise of hybrids demand a recalibration of product portfolios. OEMs should invest in fuel-efficient, tech-integrated models that cater to both aspirational urban buyers and price- sensitive rural consumers. Entry-level vehicles must be reimagined with better safety and tech features to remain relevant. The survey’s indication of renewed interest in small cars post-GST reform reinforces the need for inclusive product planning.
Digital Engagement: With digital platforms driving discovery, OEMs must build robust content strategies across social media, automotive apps, and websites. Influencer marketing, virtual test drives, and interactive configurators can enhance visibility and trust. SEO optimisation and platform-specific campaigns will be key to capturing consumer attention. The survey’s finding that 35% of consumers discover new models via social media underscores the importance of digital-first strategies.
Customer Experience: The blended buying journey calls for seamless omnichannel experiences. OEMs and dealerships must ensure consistency across online and offline touchpoints—from digital research to in-person test drives. Transparent pricing, responsive service, and integrated CRM systems can help build lasting relationships. With 88% of respondents preferring to compare offers across dealerships, competitive differentiation at the point of sale is more critical than ever.
Financing Innovation: As affordability remains central, OEMs should collaborate with banks and fintechs to offer tailored financing solutions. Green loans, flexible tenures, and bundled packages (including insurance and maintenance) can enhance value perception and drive conversion. The survey’s insights into financing preferences highlight the need for accessible and customisable credit products.
Ownership Models: Subscription and leasing platforms must be scaled to meet the needs of digitally savvy, urban consumers. Offering customisable plans, easy upgrades, and bundled services will make these models more attractive. Educating consumers and simplifying digital onboarding will be critical to adoption. With 37% of respondents open to alternative ownership, this is a space ripe for innovation.
Safety & Tech Integration: Safety and technology are no longer optional—they are expected. OEMs must embed advanced safety features and connected tech across all variants. Investing in software systems, over-the-air updates, and user experience design will differentiate brands in a competitive market. The survey’s emphasis on safety and tech as top purchase drivers makes this a strategic priority.

As festive demand reshapes India’s auto sector, it is no longer just a seasonal upswing—it is a reflection of deeper structural shifts in consumer behaviour and market dynamics. For OEMs and stakeholders, this moment presents a strategic opportunity to realign offerings, innovate across channels, and build for sustained growth in a rapidly evolving mobility landscape.

Saket Mehra is a Partner and Auto & EV Industry Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat. Views expressed are the author's personal.

Battery Recycling: A Strategic Opportunity for Automakers to Meet Green Targets

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:14:17

As India accelerates toward an electric mobility future, automakers find themselves balancing rapid growth with the need to meet sustainability and compliance goals. While electric vehicles address tailpipe emissions, the question of what happens to the batteries at the end of their lifecycle has become increasingly critical. The answer lies in building a circular value chain through scientific battery recycling, a solution that simultaneously supports net-zero ambitions, reduces costs, and secures vital raw materials for the long term.

Battery recycling has emerged as one of the most strategic levers for automakers aiming to meet their green targets. Unlike traditional mining, which consumes vast amounts of energy and water, recycling produces less than half the greenhouse gas emissions, making it a more sustainable and scalable alternative. Recovering critical metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese from used batteries allows manufacturers to lower their carbon footprint while reducing their dependence on imported resources. India currently relies entirely on imports for these minerals, leaving the automotive industry exposed to global price volatility and supply chain risks.

The economic case for recycling is just as compelling. Lithium-ion batteries make up nearly 40 percent of an electric vehicle’s cost. At advanced recycling facilities across India, innovative hydrometallurgical processes now enable high recovery and purity levels, producing battery-grade lithium carbonate, cobalt sulphate, and nickel sulphate that can be directly reused in new cells. With industry-wide recycling capacities rapidly expanding to handle thousands of tonnes of spent batteries and e-waste each year, these closed-loop models demonstrate how environmental responsibility and economic efficiency can coexist within the circular economy.

Policy support has further strengthened the business case. India’s Battery Waste Management Rules (2022) have made Extended Producer Responsibility mandatory for automakers, requiring 90 percent of end-of-life batteries to be recycled by 2026 and at least 20 percent of recovered materials to be reused by 2030. Complementing this, the National Critical Minerals Mission seeks to establish large-scale domestic recycling infrastructure to recover nearly 40,000 tonnes of key minerals annually. Together, these measures ensure that battery recycling is no longer a choice but a strategic requirement for every automaker operating in India.

Across the industry, leading OEMs such as Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, and Ather Energy have partnered with Government recognised recyclers to responsibly manage their battery waste. These collaborations integrate recycling into product lifecycles, ensuring full traceability from collection to material recovery. They also align with India’s larger sustainability vision, where recovered materials are reintegrated into the manufacturing ecosystem, reducing reliance on primary extraction and cutting down emissions across the value chain.

Technological innovation plays a crucial role in this transformation. Modern recycling processes are not only energy-efficient but also designed for scalability and purity, enabling recycled metals to compete with virgin resources in both quality and consistency. By embedding recycling at the core of manufacturing strategies, automakers can address regulatory compliance, meet ESG benchmarks, and future-proof their supply chains against resource shocks.

Battery recycling therefore represents more than an environmental responsibility; it is a strategic opportunity for automakers to lead India’s transition to a low-carbon, resource-secure economy. It transforms what was once considered waste into a renewable source of raw materials, turning sustainability into a business advantage. As the EV landscape expands and battery waste volumes rise, companies that act early to integrate circular practices will not only meet their green targets but also emerge as leaders of a more resilient and self-reliant automotive future.

Rajesh Gupta is Founder & Director of Recyclekaro. Views expressed are the author's personal.

Kitna Uptime Hai?

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 14:01:06

For decades, Indian fleet owners have focused on one thing above all: “Kitna kamata hai?” a shorthand for how much revenue a vehicle can generate after costs. But India’s logistics sector is now undergoing a transformation, with electric commercial vehicles (ECVs) beginning to make significant inroads. Retail sales of ECVs surged by 82% year-on-year in May 2025, driven by light goods vehicles and buses, illustrating that adoption is moving from niche to mainstream. Against this backdrop, the more pressing question is becoming: “Kitna uptime hai?,” how reliably and consistently is the vehicle available for service.

The Cost of Downtime

In logistics, every hour of downtime translates into a loss of productivity, revenue, and confidence. A breakdown, a refuelling delay, or an extended spell in the workshop means routes go unserved, goods remain undelivered, and client commitments are put at risk. Electric commercial vehicles, particularly light goods carriers and small commercial vehicles (SCVs), which form the backbone of last-mile delivery, are especially affected: a single day of downtime can disrupt dozens of e-commerce, retail, and FMCG deliveries. The urgency is reinforced by the fact that e-SCVs and light goods carriers are now driving the bulk of e-CV adoption in India. After years of niche volumes, monthly sales have begun crossing four-figure marks consistently, with this sub-segment alone accounting for a clear majority of industry demand. For operators in last-mile logistics, where turnaround times are tight, this makes uptime a critical business variable.

Policymakers have already recognized this, backing the logistics sector with targeted measures. Subsidies under the newly announced PM e-DRIVE program are accelerating the rollout of charging stations and electric commercial vehicles, creating the foundation for a rapid transition.

Building on this momentum, electric commercial vehicles are beginning to redefine the game. By design, they reduce mechanical complexity, with fewer moving parts and simpler drivetrains. That translates into fewer breakdowns and longer stretches on the road without interruption. For eSCVs, this reliability is critical, as they often operate on thin margins and tight delivery windows. Telematics and predictive maintenance add further resilience, allowing operators to monitor battery health, motor performance, and load conditions in real time, addressing issues before they escalate into downtime. The shift from reactive repairs to preventive care marks a turning point in how fleets can manage reliability.

Beyond the Vehicle

Yet uptime is not just about the vehicle. It depends equally on the charging infrastructure and the on-road support network. A capable service ecosystem—with quick diagnostics, trained technicians, and ready parts availability – prevents long downtimes. Equally important is reliable charging access, since even short outages or long queues at charging points can immobilize fleets. The uptime equation also varies by geography. While larger fleets in metros are beginning to benefit from faster charging corridors, eSCVs operating in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where EV adoption is accelerating in last-mile logistics – face the twin challenges of fewer charging stations and a shortage of trained EV mechanics. On a larger scale, India’s infrastructure programmes, from highways to freight corridors and port connectivity, are cutting transit times. Together, these factors make uptime the core measure of logistics efficiency.

The New Currency

Focusing on uptime does not diminish the environmental or energy-saving benefits of EVs. It simply shifts the conversation to what businesses value most: dependable performance. Whether it is perishable produce that must reach markets before dawn, or just-in-time inventory moving into urban retail outlets, uptime has become the currency of trust and profitability.

India’s logistics costs are now estimated at around 9–10% of GDP, down from earlier estimates of 13–14%. The next leap in competitiveness will depend not only on how much fuel or energy a vehicle saves, but on how consistently it can keep running. With growing adoption, electric commercial vehicles—supported by reliable charging networks, digital tools, capable service ecosystems, and forward-looking financial models – are well placed to anchor this shift.

Saju Nair is CEO of TIVOLT Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd. (Montra Electric’s SCV division) Views expressed are the author's personal.

Can a National Battery-Swapping Consortium Unlock 4W EV Adoption in India?

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 20:37:47

Picture a future where EV drivers enjoy the same ease as refueling a petrol car—regardless of the vehicle’s brand. A Maruti, a Mahindra, and a Tata Ace EV pull into the same swap station, exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones, and drive off in minutes. No queues. No compatibility issues. No downtime.

This isn’t a distant dream—it’s a tangible possibility. But unlocking it will take more than innovation. It calls for collective action—a unified push by OEMs, battery-swapping players, and infrastructure developers, with the government acting as the central convener to bind it all together.

India’s 4W EV Challenge

India's EV market is scaling rapidly—projected to grow at a CAGR of 35% and reach 27.2 million units annually by 2032. However, this growth is skewed toward two- and three-wheelers.

In April 2025, EV sales hit a record 167,629 units, but four-wheelers made up less than 12,000. Despite a healthy 44% YoY growth, 4Ws still lag due to high upfront costs, inadequate charging infrastructure, and long charging times.

The Vision: Interoperability at Scale

Battery swapping has already proven its mettle in the 2W and 3W segments—delivering faster turnarounds and lower costs. But the 4W segment remains largely untapped, representing a high-potential frontier.

Now imagine a network of swap hubs across every city and expressway—serving EVs of all brands, models, and use-cases. To move from isolated pilots to a seamless, nationwide experience, interoperability must be backed by industry alignment. That’s where a national consortium becomes essential—transforming a promising concept into a scalable solution.

Unlocking Potential: Why a Consortium is the Missing Link

A national consortium, co-led by auto OEMs and leading battery-swapping players acting as catalysts, could establish and govern these shared standards.

Multiple players are piloting swapping for commercial vehicles and e-buses—but in silos. A national battery-swapping consortium could:

Enable brand-agnostic interoperability
Prevent fragmented, duplicative infrastructure
Reduce total cost of ownership for users
Boost consumer confidence through seamless infrastructure availability

Learning from Global Playbooks

India’s four-wheeler EV segment isn’t the only market grappling with fragmented infrastructure, high costs, and limited interoperability. Around the world, nations have overcome similar roadblocks by adopting one powerful approach: collaboration.

Consider China, where battery-swapping success is underpinned by strategic alliances. SAIC Motor, the country’s largest automaker, partnered with battery giant CATL to co-develop swap-enabled EVs and standardized, interchangeable batteries.

Japan offers another compelling example. Gachaco, a consortium formed by Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and energy major Eneos, is building a nationwide network of standardized swappable batteries for two-wheelers—transforming how riders access clean energy.

Meanwhile, in Europe, the Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC) shows how even cross-border partnerships can lay the foundation for global standards—driving both interoperability and innovation.

The lesson is clear: consortiums are not just coordination platforms—they are force multipliers. Structured, government-supported consortiums have driven faster EV uptake and more accessible infrastructure in global markets.

Can Government Be the Central Glue?

While private players must lead innovation, the government’s role as facilitator is critical. The Ministry of Power’s 2025 battery-swapping guidelines are a positive step—but real progress needs:

Alignment among OEMs and battery-swapping companies
Shared battery standards
Incentives for the development of swappable 4W models
Government-facilitated access to urban and highway real estate
Integration of swapping into urban planning and EV policies

If leading automakers commit to swappable four-wheelers and common standards, India can build a seamless, multi-brand swap network—especially in urban centers and along major corridors.

Why Now is the Right Time

The technology is ready. Swap times are under two minutes. Infrastructure players are scaling, but no single entity can carry the capex burden alone. A consortium offers a pragmatic solution:

Enables OEMs to co-develop swappable EVs
Builds neutral infrastructure led by 1–2 central battery-swapping players
Reduces duplication, cuts costs, and enables faster rollouts
Creates high-density, multi-brand swapping hubs in cities and along highways

A Call for Collective Leadership

India’s 4W EV transition won’t be driven by isolated efforts. It demands a united front—one where OEMs, swapping players, and policymakers co-create the path forward. A national battery-swapping consortium can be the catalyst to align industry, accelerate adoption, and ensure equitable access.

The question isn’t whether battery swapping can work for four-wheelers. It’s whether India will lead the charge—together.

Pulkit Khurana is the Co-Founder and CEO at Battery Smart. Views expressed are the author's personal.

Electrifying Public Transport: E-Buses Transform India’s Cities

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 19:32:42

Indian cities have moved beyond pilot projects and are now adopting electric buses at scale, marking one of the world’s most ambitious mobility transitions. Over the last ten years, e-buses have been introduced as cleaner, quieter, and more cost-effective alternatives for millions of commuters.

The consolidation of demand, service-based contracts, and expansion of charging infrastructure have been enabled by national programmes such as Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles-II (FAME-II) and PM-eBus Sewa.

From Policy Signals to Buses on the Road

A crucial factor in scaling e-bus adoption has been the shift toward service-based contracts. Under the FAME-II programme, supported by ₹10,000 crore, incentives for 7,000 e-buses were tied to this contract model.

Instead of one-time bus purchases, state transport undertakings (STUs) now pay operators per kilometre, making operations financially viable and comparable to fossil fuel-based systems.

This model allows manufacturers and operators to deliver full-service solutions—including charging infrastructure and after-sales support—while reducing the responsibilities of transport authorities.

The PM-eBus Sewa scheme further expands this model by targeting 10,000 e-buses under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, widening access to clean transport beyond major metros.

E-Bus TCO Advantage

One of the biggest breakthroughs came with the Grand Challenge tender of 2021, organized by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL). By combining demand from multiple cities, the tender secured record-low service prices—₹43.49/km for 12-metre buses and ₹39.21/km for 9-metre buses, including electricity. These prices are at or near diesel costs, proving that electric mobility can compete directly with traditional fuels.

Most importantly, this shifted the mindset from CAPEX to OPEX, allowing operators to realise the true Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) advantage of EVs over fossil fuels. From clear policy signals to buses now running on the road, this initiative catalyzed the adoption of electric mobility, demonstrating that EVs are not only sustainable but also economically viable.

A CESL and World Resources Institute (WRI) India study also revealed that operating costs could be up to 31% lower than diesel and 18% lower than CNG, even without subsidies. This indicates that locally manufactured e-buses can scale competitively, providing a long-term pathway for sustainable mobility.

Climate and Air-Quality Gains

The environmental benefits of electric buses are already tangible. Studies by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) show that Indian electric buses are approximately 70% more energy-efficient than diesel counterparts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 19%, even when operating on a coal-heavy grid until 2035.

The immediate impact is improved urban air quality. With no tailpipe emissions, e-buses eliminate nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter from heavily trafficked streets, reducing public exposure to harmful pollutants. This is a critical step towards healthier, more livable cities.

Scaling Beyond Megacities

The transition is no longer limited to metros. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chandigarh already have hundreds of e-buses in service. Smaller towns have also begun procurement under FAME-II and PM-eBus Sewa.

According to VAHAN data, 3,616 e-buses were registered in 2024, and growth has continued into 2025 as tenders turn into deliveries. This marks not an experiment but a structural change in how buses are acquired and operated. Domestic manufacturing and Make in India policies are also supporting this expansion, strengthening local supply chains and ensuring more cost-effective adoption across diverse geographies.

Challenges and Solutions

Despite progress, challenges remain. Upfront procurement costs for electric buses can be 1.6–1.8 times higher than for diesel vehicles, underscoring the importance of aggregated demand and OPEX-based contracts.

This is where the TCO advantage becomes evident: while upfront costs are higher, lower operating costs—fuel, maintenance, and energy efficiency—make electric buses more economical over their lifecycle, ensuring they are financially competitive with diesel alternatives.

Access to land and high-capacity electricity connections—often exceeding 4 MW for large depots—remains another bottleneck, particularly in dense urban areas. Effective route planning, charging windows, and block scheduling are also essential to ensure reliable service.

The national government is addressing these concerns by offering clear frameworks for depot-based versus opportunity charging and supporting cities in building robust operational systems.

The Road Ahead

India’s next leap in e-mobility will be scaling from 10,000 to several tens of thousands of e-buses while ensuring affordability and service reliability. Achieving this will require:

Incremental fleet purchases
Stronger cooperation between utilities and transport authorities
Smart charging and digital optimisation tools
Workforce training for high-voltage safety and operations

E-buses are rapidly becoming the backbone of public transport in India. With costs approaching parity, clear climate benefits, and broad policy support, electric mobility is no longer a future aspiration—it is actively reshaping Indian cities today.

Rohit Srivastava is the Chief Growth Officer at EKA Mobility. Views expressed are the author's personal.

How the EV Rental Industry Supercharges Local Economies

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 14:35:18

The electric vehicle industry has provided us with more than just a way of commuting. It has reduced dependency on fossil fuels, aided in quick commerce deliveries, and boosted tourism for local communities.

The EV rental industry has led to strategic growth by keeping all the profits within the community rather than distributing them to other nations. This is different from the traditional automobile industry, where fuel is imported from neighboring countries.

The government has introduced an increasing number of incentives, including tax rebates and the establishment of more charging stations for these electric vehicles. These initiatives, along with the rental system, have made EVs more accessible to the general populace.

They have also transformed the mobility landscape for urban commuters and tourists alike. Both segments are now looking for eco-friendly ways of transportation. As every booking becomes a source of revenue, the electric vehicle rental industry offers economic and environmental benefits for the local community.

Benefits of Including Electric Vehicle Rentals in the Mobility Ecosystem

The electric vehicle rental industry comes with the following advantages:

Creation of Job Opportunities

A wide spectrum of opportunities can be created in the following sectors:

Quick Commerce
For the delivery of e-commerce products, companies can choose from affordable plans offered by the EV rental industry. This proves to be more economical than traditional commuting methods. In the long run, it also reduces the carbon footprint.

Operations Team
There is a need for dedicated teams to manage real-time fleet monitoring, vehicle acquisition, and logistics. This includes both data analysts and personnel to manage entry-level operations.

Customer Support Team
To maintain high satisfaction levels among customers, this industry requires concierge staff, customer service professionals, and marketing specialists. This industry can create both high-tech roles and roles requiring direct customer interaction. All their skill sets are aligned toward creating a greener future.

Boosting Hospitality Revenues & Tourism

The rental industry remains attractive to tourists seeking environmentally friendly travel options. This positively impacts hospitality revenues. Tourists who opt for these vehicles are more likely to explore scenic routes beyond city centers, increasing revenue from hotel bookings, entry fees, and restaurant visits.

This also allows local vendors to offer eco-friendly packages. They can bundle electric vehicles with “green drives” across the city. These offerings can generate higher margins and benefit vendors. Even travel sites promoting eco-friendly transportation become more attractive than those that don’t.

Public-Private Partnerships

There is an increasing need for charging stations at airports, popular tourist districts, and transit hubs. Local authorities often collaborate with energy providers and rental companies for this purpose. This results in cooperation between the public and private sectors. Increased electricity demand creates a surge in utility investment, including smart metering, grid modernization, and additional reliable power sources.

Stimulation of Local Supply Chains

The construction of private and public charging stations provides multiple benefits for software developers, electricians, and construction firms. The installation and maintenance of these systems generate additional income for these suppliers.

Potential Challenges for the Electric Vehicle Rental Industry

While the sector has a promising future, it must overcome the following challenges:

Training of the Workforce
Partnerships between vocational schools and rental companies are needed to train workers for EV maintenance.

Capital Requirements
The rental industry requires capital investment to purchase electric vehicles. This necessitates supportive government policies, targeted incentives, and low-interest loans.

Grid Capacity
The industry requires coordinated energy planning to handle electricity demand spikes. This could create additional pressure on current energy grids.

How the EV Industry Helps Reduce Economic Leakage and Support Environmental Goals

Electric vehicles differ from gasoline-powered vehicles, which require imported refined oil. EVs usually operate close to the regions where electricity is consumed, helping keep energy spending local. This provides additional income for local power providers, who reinvest in renewable energy projects and community infrastructure. Some charging stations are paired with solar panels, creating opportunities for local renewable energy developers.

With lower greenhouse gas emissions and cleaner air, the industry also generates economic benefits. A healthier environment reduces respiratory illnesses, improving workforce productivity and lowering healthcare costs.

Consequently, these cities become attractive to residents and businesses, increasing property values and investment. For the quick commerce industry, EV rentals reduce delivery costs, generating further savings.

Future Outlook

To unlock the sector’s full potential, businesses and policymakers need to implement changes. Cities should provide designated parking for EVs and streamline charging station permits. Investors can explore opportunities in predictive maintenance software and battery recycling.

EV rentals also enable businesses to experiment with fleet-sharing models with campuses and hotels. When stakeholders collaborate, economic benefits are magnified.

Unlike gasoline vehicles, EVs use electricity supplied locally. Profits from these investments can fund renewable projects in the community.

Final Thoughts

The electric vehicle industry creates more than an alternative mode of transportation; it drives sustainable economic development. It generates jobs, financial gains for local economies, and impacts industries such as tourism, hospitality, and technology.

Government policies and incentives will increasingly support EV growth. Companies leveraging the sector’s full potential can become key players in the clean-energy revolution, reducing their environmental footprint.

The combination of sustainability and affordability has made electric vehicles an attractive investment. Increased market competition will lower prices further, making EVs more accessible and potentially transforming traditional commuting practices.

Shivam Sisodiya is the co-founder and CEO of Bijliride. Views expressed are the author's personal.

EVs Beyond Subsidies – The Changing Face of Commercial 3W Buyer Sentiment

Autocar Professional Bureau — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 12:11:53

India’s electric three-wheeler sector has been one of the earliest beneficiaries of government policy. Schemes such as FAME II helped reduce entry barriers by offering upfront incentives, sparking demand, and encouraging manufacturers to scale up.

But that phase is drawing to a close. Subsidies are being phased down, and the conversation among buyers is shifting. Today, operators are no longer deciding on subsidies alone. They are evaluating vehicles on durability, daily operating economics, and long-term trust in the brand.

The Economics Are Speaking for Themselves

For a commercial driver, what matters most is the total cost of ownership. Recent analysis by CEEW shows that running an electric three-wheeler costs only about ₹0.60 per km. In comparison, CNG costs ₹1.6 per km, diesel ₹2.69, and petrol ₹3.21.

These differences may appear modest in isolation, but across 150 to 200 km of daily operations, the savings add up quickly. In cities like Lucknow, electric autorickshaws were found to be 38 to 46 percent cheaper to run than CNG when operated at high daily mileage. For owner-drivers and fleet operators, this is not an abstract number. It is a direct improvement in margins and income stability.

India Leading the Global EV 3W Charge

India today is the world’s largest market for electric three-wheelers. By August 2025, sales had crossed 4,94,300 units, putting the segment well on course to surpass the 691,000 units sold in all of 2024. July set a record with 69,139 units sold in a single month, while August followed with 63,478 units, both ahead of last year’s pace.

Electric three-wheelers now account for 62 percent of all three-wheeler sales in the country, a record share that has climbed steadily year after year. Industry forecasts suggest the domestic market, valued at US$516 million in 2024, will grow to nearly US$1.2 billion by 2033. These numbers demonstrate that the market is no longer subsidy-dependent but propelled by demand, economics, and necessity.

Drivers of Adoption in Cargo and Passenger Segments

Two distinct demand-side forces are shaping adoption. On the cargo side, the rapid growth of e-commerce and hyperlocal logistics has created reliable demand for vehicles that can carry heavy payloads across predictable routes.

Electric cargo three-wheelers, with their lower operating costs and dependable range, fit this profile perfectly. Battery leasing and battery-as-a-service options are helping operators reduce upfront costs while keeping vehicles on the road.

On the passenger side, urban transport regulations and the rising presence of fleet operators are pushing more drivers towards electric three-wheelers. For drivers, the promise of a steady daily income combined with lower running costs is compelling. Where charging and range align with route patterns, switching to electric is no longer seen as risky but as a logical step.

Innovation as the New Differentiator

As subsidies fade, innovation is becoming the stronger motivator. Operators now pay close attention to features that impact uptime and efficiency. Smart battery management systems, modular packs that can be swapped quickly, and telematics that help optimise routes are winning attention. Vehicles that maximise earnings potential, even at a slightly higher upfront cost, are preferred over cheaper models that lack durability or service assurance.

Financing, Resale and Service Ecosystem

The ecosystem supporting electric three-wheelers is also maturing. Banks and NBFCs are showing greater willingness to finance EV purchases, helped by better data on performance and utilisation. Fintech-led products are offering flexible repayment models tied to actual earnings. Insurance products are also evolving to cover EV-specific risks.

One of the biggest anxieties for buyers remains resale value. Many drivers are unsure how much they will be able to recover once the vehicle or battery reaches the end of life. Some manufacturers are addressing this by offering buyback guarantees or certified resale programs. These initiatives, while still limited, are building confidence.

Equally important is after-sales service. Operators trust brands that provide reliable spare parts and fast turnaround for repairs. For a commercial buyer, downtime is not just inconvenient; it is lost income.

The Challenges Still Ahead

The biggest hurdle to mass adoption remains charging infrastructure. As of early 2025, India had just over 26,000 public charging stations. To meet projected demand by 2030, the country will need well over one million.

Until then, operators will continue to rely heavily on depot charging, swapping networks, or over-investment in additional vehicles to cover downtime. Another challenge is the underdeveloped second-hand EV market. Without a clear resale pathway, some drivers hesitate to invest despite strong TCO economics.

A Market Ready to Stand on Its Own

Despite these hurdles, the trajectory of the electric three-wheeler market is clear. Rising fuel costs, steady demand for last-mile logistics, and continuous improvements in financing and technology are creating growth momentum that no longer depends on subsidies. In fact, subsidies should now be seen as a bridge that accelerated adoption, not as the foundation of the business model.

Building Trust Beyond Incentives

India’s commercial three-wheeler buyers are pragmatic. They are adopting electric not for ideology but for economics. If the numbers add up, the vehicle is reliable, and the service ecosystem is dependable, they are ready to commit. The winners in this space will not be those offering the cheapest sticker price, but those delivering the most consistent long-term value.

The electric three-wheeler market is maturing, and subsidies have played their part. The future will be shaped by innovation, financing, and above all, trust between brands and their customers.

Divya Chandra is the Managing Director of Atul Greentech Pvt Ltd. Views expressed are the author's personal.

The Evolution of Software in Vehicles and Trends: How Cockpits Are Revolutionizing the User Experience in Modern-Day Vehicles

Shristi Ohri — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 11:57:49

The automotive industry in India is at an inflection point where software has become the single biggest driver of value and differentiation. For decades, vehicles competed on metrics like horsepower, torque, and build quality.

Today, the competitive edge lies increasingly in intelligence, connectivity, and seamless digital experiences enabled by software. At the centre of this transformation sits the vehicle cockpit—now a command hub for safety, personalization, productivity, and entertainment.

From Embedded Systems to Software-Defined Vehicles

The role of software in vehicles has expanded dramatically over the last four decades. Embedded systems within ECUs originally managed isolated functions such as engine control, braking, and airbags. Over time, infotainment and navigation systems brought software into the driver’s direct line of sight, elevating user expectations.

The current phase is marked by the rise of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Automotive architectures are shifting away from dozens of distributed ECUs toward centralized, high-performance computing platforms, allowing flexible software deployment. Just as smartphones evolved into software ecosystems, vehicles are now platforms capable of evolving long after production through over-the-air (OTA) updates. This means that customers no longer experience a “fixed” product; instead, their vehicles improve and adapt over time.

The Cockpit as the Centrepiece of Digital Transformation

Among all domains, the cockpit is the most visible, redefined and advanced area of software evolution in vehicles. Instrument clusters, infotainment, head-up displays (HUDs), driver monitoring, and HMIs are converging into unified, software-centric platforms that define brand capabilities and user engagement.

Current advancements include:

Dynamic digital clusters adapting to driving contexts
Voice- and touch-controlled infotainment with app integration
Augmented reality HUDs projecting navigation and safety cues
Personalized interfaces adjusting settings for individual occupants

The cockpit is evolving from a button-heavy dashboard into a holistic digital interaction hub.

Key Trends in Cockpit Evolution

Centralized and Scalable Architecture

Domain and zonal computing are consolidating hardware roles in cockpits, enabling more efficient function integration and simplifying software upgrades. This facilitates faster feature rollout and cost-effective innovation.

Personalization and Artificial Intelligence

AI-driven personalization is an emerging differentiator, with systems learning driver behaviour to optimize climate, preferred routes, and media. The cockpit is evolving into an adaptive assistant rather than a static interface.

Seamless Integration with Digital Ecosystems

Consumers increasingly expect their vehicle cockpits to extend their digital lifestyles, integrating smartphones, smart homes, and in-vehicle e-commerce. This heightens OEM opportunities to build long-term customer engagement through connected services.

Augmented Reality and Safety Convergence

Cockpit evolution is tightly linked to safety. Augmented reality HUDs, driver monitoring systems, and integration with ADAS platforms ensure safety remains central to innovation. The ability to deliver safety alerts unobtrusively, while keeping users engaged, will define successful cockpit design.

Continuous Improvement via OTA Updates

Over 70% of new vehicles in India now feature OTA update capabilities. The OTA updates market is projected to grow at a CAGR exceeding 20% over the next decade, fuelling continual enhancements from bug fixes to new digital services, and establishing software as a key revenue stream [Future Market Insights, Indian OTA Market Forecast].

Business Impact of Cockpit Transformation

Cockpit evolution is transforming it from a cost centre to a strategic differentiator and revenue enabler. OEMs are leveraging advanced software features to position themselves as technology-forward while developing subscription and service-based monetization models. The ecosystem is also shifting, with intensified partnerships among automakers, software firms, cloud providers, and semiconductor manufacturers. Modularity, cybersecurity, and compliance standards are becoming paramount as automotive innovation is now a result of technology-led collaborations.

Preparing for the Autonomous Future

With higher levels of vehicle autonomy emerging in market, cockpits will extend beyond driver interfaces to become multi-purpose experience zones supporting productivity, entertainment, and wellness. Designing seamless transitions between manual and autonomous modes will be critical for future cockpit architectures.

Conclusion

The software evolution in Indian vehicles has reached a pivotal moment where the cockpit serves as a strategic platform for safety, connectivity, personalized experiences, and new business models.

At Elektrobit India, we are committed to enabling this transformation. From developing scalable architectures to delivering advanced human-machine interfaces and seamless OTA functionality, we partner with OEMs to build cockpits that are safe, adaptive, and future-ready.

The software-defined cockpit represents more than technological advancement—it represents a redefinition of mobility itself. As the industry moves into a software-first era, the cockpit will remain the focal point of innovation, revolutionizing how we interact with and experience vehicles.

Sai Sridhar is the Managing Director of Elektrobit India. Views expressed are the author's personal.

Why India’s Automotive Industry Needs a Strong Push Toward Software Innovation

Arunima Pal — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:06:07

Think about the last time your phone updated overnight and woke up with new features. Automotives are heading the same way. The modern vehicle is more a layered stack of software running on powerful electronics. Navigation learns your routines, energy management squeezes more range from the same battery, and driver-assistance features quietly get better with each release. Increasingly, the real magic happens after the vehicle leaves the factory.

What’s changing—and how others are moving

The industry is undergoing major changes that are significantly altering its landscape:

Centralised Brains: Instead of having many small ECUs, the trend is shifting towards centralising brains and using fewer, more powerful computers for domain and zonal control. This means easier maintenance and better security.
Software that never “ships and stops”: Over-the-air (OTA) updates, telemetry, and feature flags let automakers fix bugs, add capabilities, and learn from real-world use.
Build it virtually, prove it early: Digital twins, virtual ECUs, and model-/software-/hardware-in-the-loop testing catch problems before metal is cut.

Markets are moving fast: Europe, Japan, and Korea have tied approvals to cybersecurity and software-update practices. China has made OTA commonplace and iterates quickly through tight hardware-software integration. US and European brands are reorganizing around software-defined vehicle platforms.

Why this matters for India

India is among the world’s largest passenger-vehicle markets and a two-wheeler powerhouse. Customers here expect connected, safe, and reliable mobility at sharp price points. That puts software at center-stage:

Differentiation that lasts: Post-sale improvements—better range, smoother ADAS, richer infotainment—keep a product competitive for years.
Speed and cost discipline: Use of Digital Twins helps in early development and validation, reducing prototypes and delays.
Talent advantage: India’s embedded and cloud engineering depth is real; the opportunity is to channel it into automotive software and create exportable IP, not just capacity.

What India has done so far

The direction is positive. Programs encouraging advanced components and electrification have nudged investments. Test infrastructure has grown with national proving grounds and specialized labs. Several OEMs and Tier-1s now run software centres of excellence, and ship connected services at scale. A healthy start up scene is tackling battery intelligence, vision, fleet analytics, and predictive maintenance. It’s a strong base—but industry alignment and pace need to increase.

What can be done

Make software a board-level strategy: Treat vehicle programs as software programs with hardware attached.
Build an OTA pipeline as core infrastructure: Define update policies, delta packaging, staged rollouts, and safe rollback
Invest in virtual development and test: Scale model-, software- and hardware-in-the-loop with high-fidelity digital twins and early vECU availability so hardware and software teams iterate in parallel
Institutionalize safety and cybersecurity: Mandate ISO 26262, ISO/SAE 21434, and WP.29-aligned processes across the supply chain, including MSMEs; provide shared services for threat modeling, SBOMs, and incident response. India’s AIS-189 (Cybersecurity) and AIS-190 (Software Update) can anchor audits and conformance.
Close the skills loop: Create industry–academia labs for embedded Linux/RTOS, AUTOSAR, safety, and automotive cybersecurity; and democratize toolchains for smaller suppliers.
Back open standards and local IP: Contribute to standards publish reference implementations tuned for Indian conditions (connectivity constraints, mixed traffic) and license them broadly.
Reform procurement: Shift to outcome-linked models that reward software quality, test coverage, and field reliability.
Enable regulatory sandboxes: Pilot V2X, OTA policy, and autonomy features on designated corridors with strict guardrails and transparent data-sharing.

The bottom line

India has the opportunity to capitalize on its potential in the automotive industry. The demand is clear: customers are seeking improved, secure, and intelligent vehicles; companies are in need of quicker and more affordable development; and the key to lasting success lies in software. By aligning efforts between industry, academia, and policymakers, India can revolutionize its vehicle production, and establish a reliable reputation. Now is the time to seize the advantage offered by software technology.

Deepak Samaga is Vice President of Business Development at Vayavya Labs Pvt. Ltd. Views expressed are the author's personal.

Democratising Safety: How AI is Making ADAS Affordable for Mass-Market Vehicles

Arunima Pal — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 13:55:21

Road accidents remain one of the biggest concerns for drivers and regulators worldwide. Technologies like Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping features, promise to reduce human error and save lives. Yet for a long time, these technologies were confined to luxury vehicles.This reality is now being altered by Artificial intelligence (AI) as it brings ADAS into the mainstream, reducing development costs, enabling faster deployment, and improving adaptability across regions, democratizing safety for millions of drivers

Shift from luxury to mainstream: how AI is lowering ADAS costs

ADAS adoption was once limited to high-end cars because development for each region was expensive and complex. Driving conditions varied widely from disciplined highways in Europe to unpredictable traffic in India, making it difficult to create a one-size-fits-all solution.

Integration of AI is helping overcome this challenge by adding real impact. Instead of building separate systems, automakers can now train AI models with local data to adapt to different road conditions. This reuse of core platforms significantly lowers costs, making ADAS viable for mid-segment and even entry-level vehicles.

Role of AI-enabled chipsets in cost optimization

Running AI models in real time requires immense processing power. AI-enabled chipsets with dedicated neural engines resolves the traditional processors struggling to deliver the millisecond responses needed for safety-critical functions.

By accelerating decision-making, these chipsets are allowing ADAS to respond instantly to risks while reducing the need for multiple specialized units, enhancing safety, and helping carmakers bring advanced features to mainstream buyers.

Software-defined vehicles and over-the-air updates

The rise of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) has further accelerated ADAS adoption. Instead of waiting for hardware upgrades or recalls, automakers can now improve systems through over-the-air updates.

This means bugs can be fixed quickly, corner cases addressed, and the new features being introduced after the car has been sold. For customers, this translates to safer, smarter vehicles that continue to improve over time—without additional costs.

Indian market perspective integrating AI-led ADAS

India offers one of the most compelling cases for AI-powered ADAS. With car ownership growing rapidly and highway infrastructure improving, the demand for safer vehicles is on the rise. However, thecondition of roads in India present unique challenges: unmarked lanes, three-wheelers on highways, and even wrong side driving.

AI makes it possible to tailor ADAS to these realities. By training models with Indian-specific driving data, automakers can deliver affordable solutions without waiting for road conditions to match global standards. For OEMs, this creates a powerful opportunity to stand out in a highly competitive market.

Challenges in data collection and real-world validation

Despite the promise, hurdles remain. Developing robust ADAS requires extensive data and validation, often involving millions of test miles. Generative AI offers a practical solution for this time-consuming and expensive process.By creating simulated scenarios from limited data, it enables systems to train for rare but critical situations like wrong-side vehicles or sudden lane changes without endless road testing. While real-world validation is still necessary, combining it with AI-driven simulations makes the process faster and resource efficient.

The road ahead

As mass-market adoption of ADAS grows, AI continues to play a central role in shaping safer roads. This shift could save thousands of lives every year,tackling the pressing challenge of road safety.

AI is transforming ADAS from a luxury to a necessity, by lowering development costs, enabling real-time decision-making, and allowing continuous improvement through software. The democratization of ADAS is more than a technological milestone; it is a step towards safer mobility for everyone.

Sundar Ganapathi is Chief Technology Officer – Automotive, Tata Elxsi. Views expressed are the author's personal.

Enabling Safe Automation: Advances in Autonomous Driving Technologies

Arunima Pal — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:10:07

Imagine you're sitting in a car, but there's no driver behind the wheel. Instead, the vehicle is navigating the road all on its own. It might sound like a scene from a science fiction movie, but autonomous cars are making this a reality faster than we could have ever imagined. Beyond the futuristic allure of self-driving vehicles lies a game-changing benefit: safety. In a world where millions of lives are lost in road accidents each year due to human errors, autonomous cars aim to eliminate these errors and save lives. In this article, we will explore the advances in autonomous driving technologies, with a strong emphasis on safety, and discover how they are reshaping the future of transportation.

Autonomous Decision Making
Making decisions in self-driving cars, often called "ego-vehicles," can be tricky. These cars mainly pay attention to what's happening nearby, how fast they're going, where they're headed, and stuff like that. But now, these cars are learning to talk to each other better, which changes things.

To decide what to do, self-driving cars need smart prediction tricks, and they combine info from their sensors and other parts. Smart autonomous cars interact with non-smart surroundings using advanced sensors, predictive modelling, and communication, ensuring safe and efficient navigation alongside traditional vehicles. But it's not easy. There are challenges like bad weather, noise, and sensors not always working perfectly. To make good choices, self-driving cars need to know about their surroundings well. But sometimes, they can't get all the info they need. And trying to make these cars act like people is super hard.

Loads of things affect how these cars decide what to do, like how the car itself works, predictions about the future, what the sensors tell them, and making sure all the tech works correctly. They use fancy tech like machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and something called Markov decision processes to help them make the right calls. Other things like how the cars move and talk to each other are important too. Having cars connected and using the internet can help a lot. It's like having a backup plan in case something goes wrong with the car's hardware. But they must make sure they don't take too long to talk to each other. There are also new tricks called fog computing to make things faster and smoother. All of this helps these cars drive better and safer.

Safety Takes the Front Seat
Safety is a paramount concern in the automotive industry. Human errors account for over 90% of accidents, caused by factors like carelessness, aggression, intoxication, and distraction. Autonomous driving technology is here to change that. Researchers have developed security evaluation platforms like SPEAD, which enable the testing of security mechanisms in realistic autonomous vehicle architectures. These technologies not only protect vehicles from theft but also use advanced recognition methods like fingerprint scanning, retina scans, and voice recognition to ensure that only authorized individuals can access the vehicle. Unlike traditional cars, autonomous vehicles don't rely on keys, adding an extra layer of security.

User-Friendliness and Convenience
Autonomous cars bring user-friendliness and convenience to the forefront. For those who are physically disabled or intoxicated, autonomous cars offer a safe and reliable mode of transportation. Even young or elderly individuals without a driver's license can benefit from this technology. It provides an inclusive way of getting around, making transportation accessible to everyone.

Improving Traffic Conditions
Traffic congestion is a major issue in many cities, leading to wasted time and increased air pollution. Autonomous cars have the potential to address these problems. Car sharing and carpooling can significantly increase per-vehicle occupancy and reduce the number of vehicles on the road, thus improving traffic conditions. These vehicles strictly follow inter-vehicle distances, enhancing passenger safety while reducing road traffic. Autonomous cars are also adept at following traffic rules, reducing the need for extensive traffic personnel. Moreover, they choose the most fuel-efficient routes, leading to a decrease in air pollution. In electric autonomous vehicles, regenerative braking systems convert kinetic energy into electrical energy, further contributing to fuel efficiency.

Autonomous Parking
Parking woes in metropolitan cities are well-known, with limited parking slots and difficulties in manoeuvring into tight spaces. Autonomous cars come to the rescue by being able to park themselves in even the narrowest available spots. Researchers have implemented projects and simulations to demonstrate the efficiency of autonomous parallel parking. Additionally, since autonomous cars can communicate with each other, they can coordinate their movements on the road, reducing traffic congestion and enhancing overall traffic flow efficiency.

Conclusion
Autonomous driving technologies are not just a glimpse into the future; they are already transforming the way we think about transportation. Safety, convenience, and efficiency are at the core of these advancements. By eliminating human errors that lead to accidents, autonomous cars are poised to save countless lives. They also open new business opportunities, make transportation more accessible to everyone, and even address environmental concerns by optimizing traffic and reducing air pollution. With autonomous cars, the future of transportation looks brighter and safer than ever before. The integration of autonomous decision-making technologies further enhances their capabilities, making them a key player in the future of mobility.

(Hitesh Garg is VP & India Managing Director, NXP Semiconductors.Views expressed are the author's personal.)

Enabling Safe Automation: Advances in Autonomous Driving Technologies

Arunima Pal — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 16:10:07

(Hitesh Garg is VP & India Managing Director, NXP Semiconductors.Views expressed are the author's personal.)

Process Excellence: The Foundation of Competitive Business Growth

Arunima Pal — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 11:37:31

In the swiftly changing realm of modern business, where customer expectations evolve as rapidly as technological innovations, it is imperative for organizations to focus not only on operational efficiency but also on delivering consistent, high-quality results. At the heart of this transformation lies Process Excellence. Once considered a back-end function, Process Excellence has now emerged as a strategic imperative-- driving performance, elevating customer experience, and building long-term competitiveness.

It is the continuous pursuit of refining and optimizing business processes to deliver better value. Going beyond improving efficiency, process excellence ensures that every process is aligned with larger organizational goals and customer needs.

Process Excellence: The Engine Powering Performance, Innovation and Growth

With digitalisation and intense global competition taking the lead, businesses can no longer afford to face process bottlenecks that lead to inefficiencies. Without a structured and ongoing approach to process optimisation, companies risk stagnation, operational breakdowns and falling short on customer expectations. On the other hand, firms that embrace Process Excellence enjoy a competitive advantage that drives long-term success.

Process Excellence delivers consistency and reliability across operations, resulting in fewer errors and improved customer satisfaction. By ensuring high-quality products and services, businesses foster customer loyalty and retention, the key ingredients for enduring growth. Additionally, streamlining workflows leads to efficient utilisation of resources, directlytranslating into cost optimization and stronger profitability.

Beyond operational benefits, Process Excellence boosts employee engagement and productivity. When employees are actively involved in improving processes, they develop a sense of ownership and empowerment. This engagement nurtures a culture of continuous improvement, enhancing morale, reducing turnover and increasing overall productivity. Moreover, Process Excellence equips organisations to respond quickly to market shifts, regulatory changes and evolving customer demands while maintaining operational efficiency.

The Growing Synergy with Data and Artificial Intelligence

Process Excellence is entering a new era and this is primarily driven by its growing integration with data and artificial intelligence. Real-time analytics, predictive insights and automation tools are now central to process improvement efforts, making them faster, smarter and more impactful. According to IBM’s 2023 Global AI Adoption Index, among companies in India using AI, 63 percent are automating manual or repetitive tasks, another 63 percent are improving customer self-service through AI tools and 48 percent aim to reduce costs and automate key processes. This synergy allows organisations to move beyond reactive fixes and adopt proactive optimisation.

Actionable Strategies

Methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma and Total Quality Management (TQM) are frequently leveraged to drive Process Excellence. Far from being theoretical concepts, these methodologies have helped companies around the world achieve remarkable results. While Lean focuses on eliminating waste and improving workflow, Six Sigma aims to minimise defects and reduce process variation. When combined, these frameworks enable businesses to streamline operations, reduce costs and improve overall performance.

A great example of Process Excellence in action is when the Tata Motors Global Services Limited team revamped its Material Invoice Process. The team used Lean Six Sigma methodologies, including Kaizen and Value Stream Mapping, combined with stakeholder feedback and error analysis, to identify key issues. This transformation led to over 7 million invoices being processed with 95% touchless automation, 100% accuracy and much faster turnaround times, significantly improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Similarly, automation revolutionized Tata Motors’ service invoice processing by minimizing manual handoffs, accelerating invoice approvals and reducing vendor queries by 80%. The team utilized Lean Six Sigma Kanban methodology to map the entire process and identify areas for improvement. These improvements enhanced operational transparency and allowed for timely invoice processing, strengthening vendor relationships and overall quality of service.

Embedding Process Excellence as a Core Principle

Process Excellence is not a one-time initiative; it is a strategic mindset that fosters continuous improvement. It ensures that businesses operate efficiently, deliver value to customers and maintain long-term growth. Companies that embed Process Excellence into their DNA will be able to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. As the business world evolves, those who champion continuous process improvements will be best positioned for sustainable success.

(Ajay Wadhwa is the CEO of TML Business Services. Views expressed are the author's personal.)

Indian Automotive Dealerships Focus on Data-Driven Strategies to Navigate Market Challenges

Angitha Suresh — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 17:48:00

Despite facing relentless challenges in recent years, the Indian automotive industry has emerged above those problems and presents substantial opportunities for growth and transformation, positively impacting the overall economy.

The Indian automotive sector has faced substantial challenges, including shutdowns, semiconductor shortages, shifting consumer preferences, and growing sustainability demands. Despite these challenges, several growth opportunities remain, providing a chance to tangibly transform the potential of their contribution to the overall economy.

For dealerships, resilience is no longer an optional trait but an absolute necessity. They must adapt to market volatility, use data-based insights, and align with evolving customer trends. It will ultimately determine which dealerships will thrive and which ones will struggle.

A notable example is in North India, which is essentially an innovator's market, where consumers seek new technologies and brands that have made a splash. Since 2015, the market has seen a trend where customers have moved away from traditional sedans and hatchbacks to SUVs and SUV-inspired crossovers-a trend that mirrors global preferences.

To remain competitive, dealerships must adapt their strategies and enhance the entire process, from inventory management to customer engagement, while embracing sustainability and digital transformation.

The Four Key Pillars in Building Resilience
The fundamental strategies that every auto dealership can fall back on to build resilience include:

Empowering front-line teams with data-driven insights
Hybrid approach to streamline inventory management
Focusing on geographical diversification to mitigate risks
Investing in worldwide green dealership infrastructure

Through all of these, dealerships have the chance to future-proof their operations and tap into emerging opportunities in the evolving mobility ecosystem.

Empowering Teams With Data
Traditionally, car dealerships in India relied heavily on experience and intuition. It was one of the primary reasons why many dealerships paid over market value for experienced sales managers who had a stellar record to their name. In today's market, data-driven decision-making is crucial.

CRM systems and AI-powered systems can track customer preferences and help with targeted customer segmentation.
AI chatbots, virtual showrooms, and predictive analytics can enable personalized interactions for a generation that does its shopping on phones and other devices.
Monitoring social media sentiment and online trend results can help anticipate demand shifts, especially in urban clusters.

Streamlining Inventory Management
The pandemic and semiconductor supply disruptions have exposed glaring vulnerabilities in the inventory management system. A hybrid inventory system can be helpful, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, through the following strategies:

Predictive analytics can help with dynamic stocking based on real-time sales data.
Flexible supply chains can be a lifesaver, as evidenced by their adoption by multiple car dealerships, which has reduced their holding costs.
Offering pre-owned and subscription models to customers can also facilitate a stable inventory system.

A "hub and spoke" model where the core inventory is in a central city. At the same time, several satellite showrooms are established in a 20-30 km radius to supply local demand and reduce overhead.

Diversifying Geographically
Localized economic shocks can be hugely detrimental to dealerships. Certain regions can also experience economic slowdowns, which can cripple any dealership that relies on a single, central market.

Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are now emerging as major demand generation centers. Studies have found startups and entrepreneurial culture in those cities are contributing to a significant uptick in the demand for luxury vehicles there.
Establishing an omnichannel structure where the marketing is done both online and offline, leading to digital sales complementing physical showrooms. This way, customers who prefer to visit a showroom can, and those who want to shop online also have an option.

Investing in Sustainability
Electric vehicles have been witnessing a steady rise in demand over the years. A McKinsey report found a $25 billion to $40 billion opportunity by 2030 for enterprises that foster innovation in new opportunities and maintain a global strategy. To achieve this aim, multiple dealerships are looking to go solar and adopt sustainable practices.

Conclusion: The Future is Agile
The Indian automotive sector is at a critical juncture in its overall development. Dealerships that adopt an agile approach are more likely to reap rapid dividends through data-driven decisions, enhanced processes, diversification, and prioritization of sustainability efforts.

These strategies would ensure dealerships not only survive but thrive. As SUVs and EVs redefine mobility, those who anticipate change and adapt quickly will emerge as winners. The road ahead is challenging, but it also presents renewed opportunities for dealerships that build resilience.

Vivek Datta is MD and CEO at Globe Toyota, JCBL Group. Views expressed are the author's personal.

Skateboard EVs and Conversion Architectures: Navigating India’s Electrified Future with Flexible Platforms

Angitha Suresh — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 10:30:00

India's electric vehicle market is growing at a tremendous pace, and EV sales set a new record in FY 2025. Basis VAHAN data, a total of 107,541 4-wheeler EVs were sold in the year, an 18% increase over the year before. It is all the more important to find alternative ways to address diversified customer needs.

In the current fast-paced scenario, technology trends can actually turn dramatically. The uncertainty makes it all the more important for manufacturers to be flexible and to take approaches that not only address immediate demand but also have the flexibility to evolve further.

In driving India towards an electrified future, organizations have to find the balance between proven approaches and forward-looking flexible designs.

Two Paths, One Destination: An Overview of ICE-Converted and Skateboard EVs
ICE-to-EV conversions include retrofitting the established ICE vehicle platforms with electric powertrains. This allows the manufacturers to ride on proven manufacturing bases, thus lowering development expenditures and launching products to market in a timely manner.

Automakers can bring electric versions of cars to the market through existing supply chains and tried-and-tested vehicle platforms, which allows them to do so without the need to undertake full redesigns of the manufacturing facilities employed in EV cars.

On the other hand, skateboard EVs are tailored with a particular design. These bespoke design enable the accommodation of battery, motors, and fundamental components in a flat platform. This arrangement enables improved weight balance, strength, and efficient use of space.

Skateboard EVs enable manufacturers to have a lot of flexibility in battery packs and motor arrangements. This gives the manufacturers flexibility to design EVs with various drivetrain configurations, including front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive.

This approach offers a tremendous number of battery capacities, which enables the offering of a tremendous number of options to meet various consumer requirements.

Bridging the Gap with Hybrid and Multi-Powertrain Solutions

Apart from these two approaches, there is growing interest in flexible, hybrid platforms that allow bridging gaps and allow customers and producers to transition gradually to pure BEVs.

This is leading producers to look for new platforms, which can support different powertrain options. Manufacturers are doing this by combining the efficiency and environmental benefits of BEVs with the added versatility of the likes of Range-Extended EVs (REEVs) or Plug-in Hybrid EVs (PHEVs). While these solutions are hybrid, they offer a balanced approach that can be further fine-tuned to meet varied consumer needs.

Designing vehicles that are easily convertible to future energy storage technology or alternative propulsion systems is likely the best means for manufacturers to future-proof themselves.

In doing so, an OEM can protect its upfront investment because the platform can be created and tweaked without extreme redesigning. Most importantly, such a plan not only addresses today's changing market needs but sets the industry up to embrace innovation in this space.

Conclusion: A Call for Continuous Evaluation and Adaptation
We are in the golden age of the evolution of technology. Today, more than any time in the past, technology is enabling virtually anything the mind can conceive. As a result, in a fast-paced environment, it is only natural to move away from the proverbial “all eggs in one basket” approach.

Embracing flexibility not only makes better economic sense but also accelerates the evolution of technology by getting products to market faster.

India's EV growth reflects this very mindset. It relies on manufacturers providing a wide variety of products across various price points. In this landscape, ICE conversions and skateboard EVs are parallel solutions that make electrification scalable and inclusive, but the unpredictability of technology evolution requires continuous assessment and accepting multi-powertrain solutions.

This enables manufacturers to strategically expand their portfolio, trading costs for innovation to achieve greater adoption levels. In addition to accelerating EV adoption, this forward-thinking approach makes India's mobility ecosystem more sustainable and scalable over the long run.

Anand Kulkarni is the Chief Products Officer, Head of HV Programs and Customer Service at Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. Views expressed are the author's personal.

Agentic AI Systems: Building Autonomous Solutions

Angitha Suresh — Sat, 31 May 2025 12:34:56

In an era where being autonomous is rapidly revolutionizing industries, Agentic AI systems are emerging as a transformative force that moves beyond traditional automation. These intelligent agents are designed not merely to execute pre-defined tasks but to make adaptive, context-aware decisions that redefine the capabilities of machines. From autonomous vehicles to expansive connected ecosystems, Agentic AI is poised to drive a smarter, more responsive future.

Smarter Vehicles and Connected Ecosystems: The Agentic Leap

Conventional autonomous systems have typically depended on static programming and deterministic models. In contrast, Agentic AI introduces a paradigm shift by enabling systems to reason under uncertainty, learn from dynamic environments, and make informed decisions. This shift is particularly impactful in the automotive and aerospace domains where real-time situational awareness and adaptive response are vital.

Autonomous vehicles, for instance, are evolving from relying solely on sensor fusion and object detection to leveraging advanced AI driven perception, predictive analytics and connected infrastructure. Further to it, Agentic AI capabilities significantly enhance autonomous vehicles to navigate complex traffic scenarios, interpret and respond to unexpected road conditions, and interact with surrounding infrastructure seamlessly. With adaptive and context aware decision making, Agentic AI significantly improves dynamic decision making, enhanced interaction and proactive problem solving. Such developments form a critical foundation for robust Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication, ensuring that vehicles can not only perceive their environment but also collaborate with it to enhance safety and efficiency.

Similarly, connected aerospace ecosystems are benefiting from autonomous agents that enable drones to plan and execute missions independently, and aircraft systems to optimize operations like fuel consumption and maintenance scheduling based on real-time data. In these contexts, autonomy is no longer about isolated functions; it is about creating integrated, intelligent networks that continuously learn, adapt, and evolve.

Navigating Barriers: Regulatory Compliance and Data Security

Despite the enormous potential of Agentic AI, its implementation is fraught with challenges. The very attributes that empower these systems—their ability to learn and make decisions autonomously—also introduce complexities in terms of regulatory compliance, safety certification, and ethical accountability.

Industries such as automotive and aerospace are governed by rigorous standards and regulations designed to guarantee safety, reliability, and performance. The introduction of AI agents adds a layer of unpredictability, as these systems operate autonomously. Their independence raises questions regarding regulatory compliance, ethical considerations, and legal accountability. Another challenge in regulatory compliance is the absence of standardized global AI policies. Data security represents another critical barrier. As Agentic systems function on decentralized architectures, processing large volumes of data in real time, data security, cyber security is a challenging task Additionally, frequent updates to legal frameworks demand continuous adaptations, increasing operational costs.

Addressing these barriers calls for multifaceted strategies that include comprehensive AI assurance frameworks, simulation-based validation methods, and advanced regulatory toolchains. It’s imperative to continuously monitor regulatory changes, implement flexible governance policies, upgrade AI models to align with emerging laws. Establishing frameworks for AI liability ethics and data protection is essential. Also its important to implement explainable and transparent AI.

The Evolving Landscape: From Reactive Automation to Proactive Intelligence

Looking ahead, the evolution of agentic AI is set to redefine the landscape of autonomous systems across a wide array of industries. The next generation of autonomous systems is anticipated to transition from mere reactive functionalities to highly proactive intelligence. In industrial automation, for example, autonomous agents will be instrumental in orchestrating supply chain networks, dynamically managing energy loads, and optimizing logistics based on real-time analytics.

In smart city initiatives, agentic systems could play a pivotal role in managing urban infrastructure — from controlling traffic flows and monitoring environmental parameters to coordinating emergency responses. Similarly, in the healthcare sector, the convergence of autonomous systems with agentic intelligence may drive advances in personalized treatment, coordinated robotic assistance, and the optimization of patient care workflows.

The transformative potential of agentic AI lies in its ability to fuse reactive automation with anticipatory decision-making. By leveraging adaptive learning and real-time data analytics, these systems are set to not only react to circumstances but also to predict and mitigate disruptions before they occur, thereby enhancing overall operational resilience and performance.

Conclusion: Building Trust, Scalability, and Autonomy

Agentic AI represents a transformative leap in the development of autonomous systems. Its promise is not confined to enhancing efficiency or automating routine functions; it extends to building solutions that are smarter, more resilient, and capable of collaborative problem-solving. To fully harness this potential, it is essential to balance advanced cognitive capabilities with robust measures for safety, regulatory compliance, and data security.

As industries continue to adopt and integrate these autonomous agents, the focus must remain on engineering intelligence with responsibility. The journey toward a fully autonomous future will require a deep commitment to creating systems that are secure, certifiable, and scalable—paving the way for a future where intelligent autonomy drives profound advancements across all sectors.

Pallavi Dalal is the Practice Head at Tata Elxsi. Views expressed are the author's personal.