On Monday, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Co, India’s big three two-wheeler maker hit out at Niti Aayog’s plan in order to push for 100 per cent electric vehicle, stating that such a changeover is fully uncalled for and may possibly make the industry vulnerable.
In disagreement of changing from conventional two-wheelers to 100 percent electric, the companies said that it is “not like Aadhaar, not software and print cards”. They also said that the concerns of all stakeholders must be taken into deliberation in spite of imposing the adoption of EVs.
TVS Motor Co-Chairman & Managing Director Venu Srinivasan stated, “This is not like Aadhaar, not a software and print cards. You have to set up a whole supply chain, and migrate from the current supply chain.”
Niti Aayog, last week had asked auto industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) as well as the conventional two-and three-wheeler makers to advice and recommend within two weeks regarding the solid steps in the direction of transition to electric mobility while also keeping in mind the 2025 deadline.
Not only TVS Motors but also Hero MotoCorp also showed their concern by saying that it was “deeply concerned by the potential repercussions of Niti Aayog’s approach of completely banning two-wheelers up to 150cc that are powered by Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)”.
Hero MotoCorp stated that the step by Niti Aayog is being at a time “when two-wheelers manufactured in India will have the world’s cleanest emissions, along with the world’s highest fuel-efficiencies, effective 1 April 2020”.
Hero, Bajaj, TVS on the other hand had also intensely object Niti Aayogs step for all electric two-wheelers, by stating that the black or white, zero-one change is not possible.
The country’s largest two-wheeleler maker said, “Instead of imposing the adoption of EVs (electric vehicles), it would be ideal to have a healthy mix of policy, market dynamics, and customer acceptability.”
Rajiv Bajaj, who is Bajaj Auto Managing Director also stated that “we believe 100 percent transition is completely uncalled for”.
Previously, he had also declared that the move was unreasonable and inconvenient, in view of the scale involved when stakeholders do not have “any meaningful experience with any of the pieces of the EV puzzle” and that is too a date so near to BS VI execution.
Hero MotoCorp also said instructing a new technology by prohibiting the present one is more likely to jeopardise the industry. The company also said that the proposed ban may possibly also have extreme consequences on the economy as the industry offers employment to millions of people in India and is a noteworthy contributor to the country’s GDP.
It said, “An abrupt and sudden changeover will disrupt the entire eco-system of vendors, OEMs, dealers, spare parts manufacturers, and mechanics, as well as other stakeholders, thereby impacting the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the industry.”
Hero MotoCorp said. “A phase-wise introduction will not only allow for a smooth transition but also enable all involved parties to understand, accept and if required, make course-corrections in their approach towards EVs”.
