Charging AHEAD

NO ONE UNDERSTANDS THE NUANCES OF THE EV INDUSTRY BETTER THAN SOHINDER SINGH GILL, GLOBAL CEO, HERO ELECTRIC; DIRECTOR GENERAL, SMEV

- JAYASHREE KINI MENDES

Success is sweeter when one is passionate and consistent. One can have a worthwhile experience in life by finding out what one loves most, and the accomplishments that come thereafter are sweeter than anything else one can experience. One can say the same about Sohinder Singh Gill, global CEO, Hero Electric; and director general, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV).

At a time when the government is vehemently supporting and encouraging growth of electric vehicles (EV), the segment per se has not seen a rapid growth. Reasons are many. For now, it does suffice to say lack of knowledge among users, charging infrastructure across the country, and the fear of limited mileage.

Enter Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV). While it has done much to raise the penetration of EVs in the country, simultaneously, it also works closely with the government to set up charging kiosks at every fuel station, while providing sufficient parking space. It also wants to rejig the FAME-II to spur demand and remove the anomaly of high GST on the batteries if sold separately from the vehicles.

There is a common view that if you accelerate electric mobility and adoption of electric mobility the way we want to in two- and three-wheelers and buses, India can become 30% electric by 2030. It means we need to really front-load the subsidies to the first few million customers, so that the vehicles can be seen and experienced. Once you have done this, only then can you sharply taper off the subsidies.