INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Maruti Suzuki has no near-term plan to launch EVs as it does not see volumesThe country has revised its proposed $8 billion scheme for the
auto sector which will now focus on incentivising companies to build electric and hydrogen fuel-powered vehicles, two sources familiar
with the plan told Reuters.This is a significant shift from the government's original plan to incentivise auto and auto part maker to
build mainly gasoline vehicles and their components for domestic sale and export, with some added benefit for electric vehicles (EVs).The
move to clean technologies comes as Tesla Inc is gearing up to enter India and is lobbying for lower import duties on electric cars
While the government is considering the request, it wants some economic benefit in return which could include a commitment from Tesla to
produce cars locally.Under the new proposal, India will give incentives to automakers for building EVs and hydrogen fuel cell cars only, the
"The government does not want to spend money on promoting old technologies," one of the sources said.Auto parts makers, however, will
get incentives to produce components for clean cars as well as for investing in safety-related parts and other advanced technologies like
sensors and radars used in connected cars, automatic transmission, cruise control and other electronics, the sources said."The idea is to
promote the development of technology that is currently not manufactured in India but is imported either because regulation demands it or
customers want those features in their cars," said the second source.The sources said the original incentive outlay of about $8 billion
may also be cut and that the production-linked scheme, which would apply on domestic sale and exports, could be finalised as soon as
September-end.The industries and finance ministries did not immediately respond to a request for comment
India's efforts to promote EVs, which make up a fraction of total auto sales, have been stymied so far by a lack of investment and weak
demand, as well as the patchwork nature of existing incentives that vary from state to state.But the government is focussed on adopting
clean mobility so it can reduce its oil dependence and cut pollution, while also meeting its commitment under the Paris Climate
Accord.Domestic automaker Tata Motors is currently the largest seller of electric cars in India with rival Mahindra - Mahindra as well as
motor-bike companies TVS Motor and Hero MotoCorp firming up their EV plans.However, India's biggest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, has no
near-term plan to launch EVs as it does not see volumes or affordability for consumers, its chairman said last month.The incentive scheme
is part of India's broader $27 billion programme to attract global manufacturers so it can boost domestic production and exports.
