COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INDIA MARCH 2021 by Next Gen Publishing Pvt Ltd

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The era of smart manufacturing

DRIVING THE TATA ULTRA 2821.T (CONTAINER)

Energy Start-Up Summit 2021 Q Real-time e-bus Q Industry reacts to the Union Budget /commercialvehicle

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CV_ MARCH 2021

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STRAIGHT DRIVE

“A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN THE CV SPACE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE VISIBLE.”

ith the shadow of Covid-19 refusing to leave, a signiﬁcant shift in the CV space is becoming more and more visible. It is about applicationbased CVs taking over from tonnage-based ones. This may be in response to certain segments showing better traction over other perhaps, the shift, for certain is far deep rooted than it seems. Its roots could date back to the demonetization of 2016, the GST regime of 2017, the new axle norms of 2018, the economic slowdown of 2019 or the BSVI emission norms of 2020. It could also have in part to do with the pandemic situation of 2020. Whatever the case maybe, the positive outcome is the technology advantage the CV buyer would stand to gain. He could choose from an electric, petrol or CNG CV over diesel. He could seek better productivity, uptime and TAT. He could seek better comfort and efficiency. He could seek better reliability. He could seek much more in fact. In the face of rising challenges, he could leverage the new technology-intensive CVs to stay in business and grow. Bhushan Mhapralkar b.mhapralkar@nextgenpublishing.net

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WHAT'S INSIDE COVER STORY 18

Driving the Tata Ultra 2821.T Highlighting a distinct shift to application-based approach, the Tata Ultra 2821.T (Container) is about value. 05 Straight Drive Bhushan Mhapralkar

Olectra Greentech wins 350 e-bus order?

Ashok Leyland cuts carbon footprint Lawrence E. Dewey to retire

08 Letters 10 CV News Optimistic Piaggio? Q Omega Seiki reefer e-three wheeler Q RT Wasan leaves Tata Motors Q Daimler spins-off truck biz. Q Funds for e-buses under FAME II? Q Fastag mandatory? Q Marc Llistosella is Tata Motors’ CEO & MD Q Ashok Leyland performance improves Q Five new highway projects? Q Rapido rental services for multi-point trips Q

We welcome feedback, bouquets and brickbats on how this magazine is shaping up. Write to us at cvonline@nextgenpublishing.net or visit us on www.commercialvehicle.in

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

R YOUICE VO

March 2021 Q Q Q Q

Sweden-India mobility hackathon Eicher delivers 200 trucks to APCO DICV Academic Program Rising fuel prices bite

The era of smart manufacturing

The effect of Covid-19 has further accelerated the shift to smarter manufacturing techniques.

Energy Summit 2021 Q Q Q

New Schwing Stetter India facility New DTC buses? BorgWarner 800-volt electric motor for CVs E-commerce drives CV sales

The Energy Start-Up Summit 2021 saw experts discuss new innovations and possibilities in the area of fuel distribution.

44 Sany Excavator SY80C-9 Sany India has introduced an eight-tonne hydraulic excavator, SY80C-9. 48 Volvo Trucks Electrification Strategy Volvo Trucks is working on an electriﬁcation strategy that would include the strengthening of its existing e-trucks and new exciting launches.

Real-time e-bus In India, the e-bus space in real-time is a mix of challenges and opportunities.

54 Kenworth T680 Next Gen Kenworth’s new T680 Next Generation on-highway ﬂagship truck promises better fuel efficiency. Industry reacts to the 2021 Union Budget

The auto industry and various other related sectors like the logistics sector has reacted to the 2021 Union Budget.

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

LETTERS COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MAGAZINE 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. Tel +91 9321546598 Email us at cv@nextgenpublishing.net

Vaccine Transport

s an avid reader of Commercial Vehicle magazine, I found the story on vaccine transport interesting. It was in-depth and highlighted a number of factors that would inﬂuence the transport of Covid-19 vaccine among others under highly controlled conditions. If the story on 2021 BharatBenz CVs, including the Covid vaccine van in association with Motherson Sumi made a lot of sense, the vaccine transport story put the development surrounding vaccine vans in the spotlight. The mention of vaccine vans as yet another area that would help CV sales made for an interesting insight. However, more interesting was perhaps how the segment, like the e-commerce segment, would provide employment and an opportunity to locally manufacture. The story also looked at how the transport and logistics industry was warming up to the prospect of vaccine transport against a background that would include lack of demand through much of 2020 and beginning of 2021, and lack of utilisation apart from the falling capacity to sustain for many small transporters. Supporting the greater cause of supply chain, may it be vaccines, essential medicines and else, the role of transporters need to be recognised and appreciated. Omkar Dighe, Nashik

Scaling Public Bus Transport

uring corona pandemic it was state and city corporation bus transport who are at a front serving the nation especially essential workers. I am one of the essential workers in the medicine industry who is taking the state transport bus every day and have seen conductors as well as drivers taking safety precautions for the safety of the public. This is a noble cause and shows the dedication of the public bus transport industry to serve the nation. The seminar covered by the magazine helped me to know the insight of how the bus transport industry is working on the ground. The plight of conductors and drivers are also need to be highlighted in depth to understand how they are taking the risk in backdrop of the rising Covid-19 cases. This will help for the betterment of the public bus transport who will get more support from the people and they will follow the rule. Sakshi Makwana, Vadodara

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General Manager South

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Pen down your views and queries to COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, Next Gen Publishing Pvt. Ltd, 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, INDIA. or Login to: www.commercialvehicle.in or Email us on: cv@nextgenpublishing.net

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

NEWS

Optimistic Piaggio? O

ptimistic about achieving good growth for its three-wheelers business in 2021, Piaggio, claim sources, is eyeing new emerging application areas like e-commerce and vaccine transport as it follows a strategy to push its CNG and electric three-wheeler cargo range. Marking a departure from some years ago when it used to push its diesel three-wheeler range under the Ape brand, the company, post resuming production at its plant at Baramati in mid-2020 and witnessing its three-wheelers sales pick-up steadily, is also introducing the battery-powered version of its passenger three wheelers across the country in a phased manner.

The lithium-ion battery operated vehicle is priced at roughly Rupeestwo lakhs. Receiving a good response to its online sales platform launched later last year in an effort to drive sales in a challenging environment, and to

Omega Seiki reefer e-three wheeler

mega Seiki Mobility has introduced a refrigerated electric three-wheeler called the Rage+ Frost in collaboration with TransACNR for last-mile pharma and food application. Aimed at the emerging market for vaccine transport, the new electric three-wheeler, available across India, has a reefer body purpose designed for pharma and food carriage

at a temperature as low as -20 degree Celsius. With the capacity to store vaccines for 72 hours in a stationary state at a temperature as low as -20 degrees celsius, the electric threewheeler, ﬁtted with a Trans ACNR airconditioning system speciﬁcally developed and designed for the purpose, is projected as the one that will help access even the most remote and tough to manoeuvre locations in the country. Operated by zero maintenance lithium-ion battery technology with a battery-swapping option, the Rage+ Frost is claimed to have a low cost of running at Rs. 0.5 per km.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

integrate all Piaggio commercial vehicle dealerships across India, the company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Piaggio Group of Italy, is keeping an eye on the emerging competition in the three-wheeler space as startups and legacy players announce new products and initiatives. Confident of the steps taken by the government to modernise three wheeler passenger fleets across the country for safer and pollution-free travel fueling growth, Piaggio, inform sources, is looking at profiting from the recent scrappage policy announcement that would take away a chunk of old threewheelers from the road.

RT Wasan leaves Tata Motors A

fter serving Tata Motors for close to 28 years, RT Wasan, Vice President – Sales & Marketing (Commercial Vehicles Divison), Tata Motors, has left the company to pursue new interests. Playing a key role in the development of new CVs in the mini-truck and pickup truck segments especially, Wasan spent a good amount of time of his career with Tata Motors in nurturing the CV major’s international business. Expressing that the company gave him all that it could, and helped mould himself into what he is today, Wasan averred that he is taking a short break before moving on to a new chapter in his professional career. Spending an amount of time at the company’s Dharwad plant, which is dedicated to the manufacture of small CVs, Wasan rose through the ranks by taking on new assignments through various CV departments and verticals.

NEWS

Daimler spins-off truck biz.

Fastag mandatory?

n what is considered to be a response to the shareholders for years, Daimler AG has announced that it will spin-off its truck business into two independent companies with the freedom to operate more nimbly. The decision, said to be backed by a fast-changing environment for trucks against changing market requirements and regulations the world over, will see the Daimler Group being renamed as Mercedes-Benz at an appropriate time. A signiﬁcant majority stake in the truck business to be distributed to current shareholders, the development, said to be backed by the premise that the businesses of making luxury cars and heavy trucks and buses differ quite a bit, the spinoff of the truck business is expected to ensure that it is more agile and able to respond to changes quickly. Especially in a challenging environment post the pandemic that is asking for a signiﬁcant

shift to ﬂeet habits and technologies. Affecting more than 100,000 employees, the spin-off of the truck business, which includes the MercedesBenz brand, the Freightliner brand, the Fuso brand, and the India-speciﬁc BharatBenz brand, is also the different pace of technology development. The truck business is concentrating more on hydrogen alternate fuel technologies, claim sources, whereas the car business is concentrating more on the electric side. The cooperation between the truck and car business continuing in areas like technology, the spin-off of the truck business is subject to a decision by an extraordinary shareholder meeting of Daimler shareholders to take place in the third quarter of 2021.

Funds for e-buses under FAME II? A

n estimated Rs.212.31 crore has been released for the procurement of electric buses in January 2021 under the second phase of FAME scheme, claim sources. They draw attention to the reply in this regard given by the heavy industries and public enterprises minister Prakash Javadekar in the parliament recently. Sources inform Javadekar also announced that his ministry has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from million-plus cities, smart cities, state/UT capitals and cities from special category states for submission of proposal for deployment of electric buses on operational cost basis. Some 86 proposals from 26 states/UTs for the deployment of about 15,000 e-buses were received, the

minister is known to have said. Stating that the project implementation and sanctioning committee has sanctioned 5,565 electric buses to 65 city and state transport corporation for intracity operation; 600 electric buses for intercity operation and 100 electric buses for last-mile connectivity to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), sources mention that the visibility of modern electric buses is set to increase manifolds across the country.

astag has been made mandatory by a new statement issued by the ministry of road transport and highways, claim sources. They draw attention to the ministry statement issued in February 2021 that all lanes in the fee plazas on national highways shall be declared as ‘FASTag lane of the fee plaza’ from the midnight of February 15, 2021. Sources also draw attention to part of the statement that says, any vehicle not ﬁtted with a valid or functional Fastag as per NH Fee Rules 2008 entering the FASTag lane of the fee plaza shall pay a fee equivalent to two times of the fee applicable to that category. Informing that this is being done by the government to reduce waiting time and fuel consumption, sources highlight that the earlier practice where institutions giving out fastags made a quick buck by charging a hefty acquisition sum and a deposit has been done away with. Emphasising on toll plazas calibrating their systems properly so that motorists are not put at the inconvenience to go back and forth, sources said that fastag would bring more transparency.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

NEWS

Marc Llistosella is Tata Motors’ CEO & MD

ata Motors has announced the appointment of Marc Llistosella as the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Motors, effective July 01, 2021. He will succeed Guenter Butschek who has informed his desire to relocate to Germany at the end of the contract for personal reasons. Expected to be of much consequence to the commercial vehicle business even though he would be in charge of the passenger vehicle business too, Llistosella brings with him a rich and varied interest of having worked in the commercial vehicle industry in the Asia-Paciﬁc region mainly, including India where he was instrumental in setting up the Indian operations of the Daimler Group’s highly localised CV operations. As an experienced automotive business leader with deep knowledge and expertise in Commercial Vehicles thus, Llistosella, currently the board member of Einride, is expected to steer Tata Motors down the path of exciting new technologies and experiences.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Ashok Leyland performance improves H

ighlighting an improvement in its performance amid challenging market conditions in the post-Covid enviornment, Ashok Leyland has reported a 14.75 per cent rise in its consolidated revenue at Rs.5,954.17 crore compared to Rs.5,188.84 crore in the same quarter in the previous year. Reporting a 32.9 per cent year-on-year fall in its consolidated net proﬁt for the quarter ended December 31, 2020, to Rs.32.32 crore mainly on reduced sales, the company has seen cost controlling measures yield desired results. Witnessing its new LCV, the Bada Dost, and the new range of modular M&HCV CVs under the AVTR line-up, attract more footfall, Ashok Leyland, claim sources, has beneﬁtted from its ‘Digital Nxt’ initiative, which marks a combination of three innovative digital solutions. Fleet owners, they mention, have found the same to be of much use apart from

the innovative i-Gen6 (Mid-NOx) BSVI solution that promises lowest operating costs. Registering a yearon-year growth of 16 per cent in the October-December period, the CV major is hoping that its domestic bus portfolio will soon pickup pace. With LCV, Defence and Powertrain portfolio of the company experiencing good traction in Q3 of FY2020-21, Ashok Leyland is banking on the scrappage policy to boost CV sales. It is also offering a range of purpose-built reefer trucks for vaccine transport as an emerging opportunity apart from growing traction in e-commerce and construction truck segments.

Five new highway projects? T

he minister for transport and highways Nitin Gadkari has approved ﬁve new highway projects in Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, claim sources. They mention that these are worth many crores of Rupees and include development work of six-lane Korlam-Kantakapalle section of NH-130-CD under the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economics Corridor in the state of Andhra

Pradesh. The other works approved include widening and strengthening to the four-lane urban link of NH-42 in Ananthapur town in Andhra Pradesh; two and four laning of RaebareliJagdishpur section of NH-330A in Uttar Pradesh, and expansion of the Muzaffarnagar to Miranpur section of NH-709AD as well as the Bijnor to Kotawali section of NH-709AD in Uttar Pradesh.

NEWS

Rapido rental services for multi-point trips R

apido bike taxi platform has announced the launch of Rapido Rental services in six Indian cities - Bangalore, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata and Jaipur, to serve customers who have to complete multiple tasks at different locations and want to avoid the hassle of multiple bookings and waiting for the ride to arrive. Under the scheme, customers can book a two-wheeler under selected package duration

of one-hour, two-hours, threehours, four-hours and six-hours. A dedicated Captain (Rapido driver-partner) will be available with the customer throughout the trip. Every Captain would be eligible for this service and by default is enabled for Rental. A ﬁrst-of-its-kind service offering from the company, according to sources close to Rapido, it is structured such that it would provide a superior user experience

to customers and better earning opportunity to the Captains. Sources inform that the initiative was a result of customer usage data analysis, which highlighted that people have begun resuming normal life and want to complete their daily tasks outside the home in one go. With such audience in view, the service is engineered to reduce user effort and eliminate the time taken in booking and waiting for the multiple additional rides.

Olectra Greentech wins Ashok Leyland 350 e-bus order? cuts carbon footprint O lectra

Greentech has received a Letter of Award for 350 electric buses from one State Government Undertaking through Evey Trans, claim sources. They draw attention to Evey Trans being declared as L1 (Least Quoted) bidder for 350 e-buses. Informing that the order for supply of 350 e-buses is on a gross cost contract basis for a period of 12 years, sources mention that EVEY shall procure the e-buses from Olectra Greentech and deliver them to the Undertaking on a period of seven months. The maintenance of these buses shall also be undertaken by the company during the contract period, they add. While the total electric buses to be delivered by Olectra Greentech against above and earlier orders is said to be more than 1250 e-buses, the transaction between the e-bus maker and Every Trans reveals an interesting trend in the path of the proliferation of electric vehicles in India.

shok Leyland has increased the sourcing of clean energy to 60 per cent for its countrywide operations. Now 75 per cent of its energy consumption in Tamil Nadu and 60 per cent of its energy consumption throughout plants across India is procured through solar rooftop, solar ground mount, and wind-based renewable energy. Focusing on sustainable and clean energy plants in India, the CV maker has built a solar plant with a capacity of 75 MWp in Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu. This plant is one of the largest group captive solar plants in India serving a single client. The plant is expected to generate over 120 million units of power annually and was set up by Ashok Leyland’s subsidiary, Prathama Solarconnect Energy Pvt. Ltd. The solar panels, according to Ashok Leyland sources, are in a ﬁxed-tilt mounting arrangement for peak energy production. Drones were used to relay back real-time information and progress. The latest software and applications have been installed for realtime monitoring and optimisation. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

NEWS

Lawrence E. Dewey to retire A

llison Transmission has announced that Lawrence E. Dewey will retire as by not seeking re-election at the company’s 2021 annual meeting of stockholders. He joined the board in October, 2007, as Allison Transmission’s President, CEO and Chairman following the purchase of the Allison business by The Carlyle Group and

Onex Corporation. Succeeding Dewey is Allison Transmissions’

current board member and president and CEO David S. Graziosi. He was selected as the next chairman of the board following the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders. Allison Transmission specialises in the manufacture of fully automatic transmissions for medium and heavyduty commercial vehicles and medium and heavytactical U.S. defense

Sweden-India mobility hackathon T

he Embassy of Sweden, the Consulate General of Sweden in Mumbai and the Swedish Institute conducted a 42-hour digital Sweden-India Mobility Hackathon in February 2021 to design, test and execute ideas for the future pertaining to mobility. The hackathon looked at important issues regarding safe and sustainable transportation with participants collaborating intensively on digital innovations to create functioning solutions to predetermined challenges by the end of the event. These, on lethal accidents in traffic, safe and sustainable transport, air pollution and emissions from the traffic sector, infrastructure for connected vehicles and sustainable logistics. Students, entrepreneurs, innovation enthusiasts, developers, designers, creatives and mobility experts across India and Sweden participated in the hackathon. They innovated and co-created on the topic of the future of sustainable mobility sector, highlighting an ability to work on industry challenges and develop solutions and proof of concepts. The participants had access to a unique network of major Swedish and Indian companies and institutes and worked to solve questions based on open data sources. They pitched ideas and received guidance from the partners to further develop, realize and implement their solutions. Institutions and universities also participated. The hackathon also highlighted the strong connection between India and Sweden and the Sweden-India Transport Safety & Innovation Platform (SITIS).

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

vehicles. It is a supplier of commercial vehicle propulsion solutions, including electric hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems. Allison Transmission has a manufacturing base at Chennai in India where a select transmission products are made as well as exported. Allison Transmission also sources a good deal of components from India.

Eicher delivers 200 trucks to APCO E

icher has delivered its 200th truck to APCO Infratech Pvt. Ltd. It marks the delivery of 200 tippers and trucks (6028T Tippers, 6028TM Tippers, 6046 Tractor, 3019 water tankers and 10 other medium duty trucks) to the Lucknow-based customer specialising in infrastructure development. The vehicles supplied by Eicher are used in the building of the prestigious mega NHAI projects in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Claimed to offer best-in-class power to weight ratio, torque-to-weight ratio, and superior grade-ability, the trucks and tippers, laced with modern features (Fuel Coaching, intelligent driver information system and cruise control) are backed by a comprehensive Site Support Model. This facilitates varied servicing needs for the trucks by setting up functional service stations at the project work sites, leading to time-critical requirements. The Site Support Model also includes a professional team from Eicher that is fully geared with tools, parts and equipment to support any downtime of tippers including schedule maintenance.

NEWS

DICV Academic Program D

aimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has announced a milestone in their DICV Academic Program with the graduation of 18 employees from Vellore Institute of Technology’s Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering degree. Since starting in 2016, the program has enrolled a total of 67 employees, all of whom

are supported with mentoring, tuition costs and shortened working hours that enable them to attend dedicated classes. Through the program, DICV aims to ensure a supportive workplace environment that empowers employees and expands their knowledge base. Aimed originally at staff who wished to improve their technical

knowledge, the program is now being expanded in four broad directions; Technical Specialty, Domain Expertise, Future Strategy and Innovation & Technology. Under these four pillars, selected employees could gain access to a range of accredited courses in engineering and management ﬁelds, all the way from undergraduate to PhD.

Rising fuel prices bite New Schwing Stetter India facility

he rising fuel prices have come to bite CV operators and other stakeholders. It is the small transporters that seem to facing the most brunt. With diesel prices in Mumbai crossing the Rs.87 per litre mark in later February 2021, small transporters, already in a precarious condition post the lockdown and the economic slowdown of 2019, are said to be either temporarily or permanently shutting their operations. Mentioned an All India Motor Transport Congress member that the continuous increase in diesel prices has put small transport operators in a quandry as they operate on a daily basis. Fuel, he added, now amounts to over 62 per cent of the total cost of operation of a truck, and is putting tremendous pressure on the bottom line of such players. Vineet Agarwal, Managing Director, Transport Corporation of India Ltd (TCIL), and President, Assocham, is known to say that the government should allow the logistics sector to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) on fuel purchases to help reduce costs amid rising freight rates due to increasing fuel prices. He is also known to say that across the industry as a whole, the cost structure has gone up because of the fuel prices. Freight rates across several sectors have moved up because of the increase in fuel prices, Agarwal is said to have expressed too.

chwing Stetter India has commissioned its fifth and most modern manufacturing facility in Cheyyar, Tamil Nadu. Spread over 52 acres and comprising 50,000 sq. m. of built-up area, the facility, termed as Schwing Stetter’s global manufacturing hub, will make concrete boom pumps, stationary pumps, self-loading mixers, shotcrete pumps, excavators, wheel loaders and motor graders. Built with an investment of Rs.300 crores, the facility will attract further investment as it adds to its ability to be sustainable and greener. With a natural green cover, the facility highlights Schwing Stetter’s efforts to digitise and leverage telematics, IoT and robotic machine learning. Including a NABL certified quality testing lab and a custom bonded warehouse facility, the new facility will also employ woman workforce on the shop floor as part of an initiative towards equality and empowerment of women. To manufacture excavators in the next three months, the new facility adds another 7500 units worth of capacity per year soon. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

NEWS

New DTC buses? T

he Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has announced that it will induct 1,000 air-conditioned and low-floor buses by June 2021, claim sources. They mention that the organisation will induct 89 more AC low-floor buses under the Cluster Scheme fleet. The 1000 buses will be painted blue instead of the usual red (AC) and green (Non-AC) coloured DTC buses, inform sources. They explain that Blue colour has been chosen for different operating model, which is also a part of the Cluster Scheme fleet. Stating that the DTC has already inducted 311 buses out of 1000, sources say that another 89 units will soon add to the cluster scheme, making it even more effective. The remaining 600 buses are expected to arrive by June 2021 as well, added sources. Drawing attention to the recently inducted 1,000 standard floor CNG buses with hydraulic lifts under the Cluster Scheme, the sources mentioned that a plan to induct 1,000 electric buses by September 2021 is also being chalked out. Also said to be working on including 300 AC, low-floor electric buses of 12 m length by end of this year on build-own-operatetransfer (PPP) basis for 11 years, DTC is known to have requested the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to allow passengers to travel in the aisle or standing position in its buses.

BorgWarner 800-volt electric motor for CVs BorgWarner has introduced a High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) electric motor – HVH 320, for use in a variety of hybrid and electric CV application. Equipped with 800-volt capabilities and available in four variants, the motor supports manufacturers’ goal of a common electric drivetrain. Capable of delivering approximately 97 per cent peak efficiency and over 400kW of power, the motor, available in four variants, is modular and flexible. Offering clean and quiet operation while reaching a torque output of up to 1270 Nm, it supports the vehicle’s shifting sequence and charges the battery by generating power while braking or driving downhill. Featuring patented stator winding technology, the motor is easy to integrate. It is available as a fully housed motor or as rotor/stator assembly in either variant form.

Statement about ownership and other particulars about COMMERCIAL VEHICLE, as required to be published in the first issue of every year after the last day of February. Form IV (See rule 8) (Press and Reg. Of Books Act, 1867) Place of Publication : 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai 400013, India. Periodicity of Publication : Monthly Printers Name : Mr. Marzban Jasoomani, Nationality : Indian, and printed at Kala Jyothi Process Pvt. Ltd, 1-1-60/5 RTCX Roads, Hyderabad - 20 Publisher’s Name : Mr. Marzban Jasoomani, Nationality: Indian, Address: Next Gen Publishing Pvt.Limited, 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. Editor’s Name : Bhushan Mhapralkar, Nationality: Indian, Address: Next Gen Publishing Pvt.Limited, 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India. Names and addresses of individuals who own the newspaper and partners or shareholders holding more than 1% of the total paid up equity capital: Next Gen Publishing Pvt.Limited, 105-106, Trade World, B-Wing, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel (W), Mumbai - 400013, India.

Details of shareholders of Next Gen Publishing Pvt.Limited who are holding more than 1% paid up equity capital of the company as on January 31, 2021. i. Shapoorji Pallonji & Company Pvt Limited, 70, Nagindas Master Road, Fort, Mumbai 400023 ii. HDFC Limited, 5th Floor, Ramon House, H. T. Parekh Marg, Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai 400 020 iii. Rajpal Singh Sethi, Green Gate, 693, Flat 702, Perry Cross Road, Bandra, Mumbai 400 050 iv. Zubin N. Kamdin (Executor of Estate of late Sam Nariman Polishwala), 29/A, Naoroji Seth Street, Thakurdwar, Mumbai 400 002 v. Aditya Chitale-(Executor of Estate of late C.N.Mistry), F-19,0-1, Bridge View C.H.S.Ltd., Sector-10, Airoli, Navi Mumbai 400 708 vi.Hoshang Billimoria, B-221, Grand Paradi, 572, Dadyseth Hill, August Kranti Marg, Mumbai 400 036

I, Marzban Jasoomani hereby declare that all particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Date: February 14th, 2021

Sd/ Marzban Jasoomani Signature of the Publisher

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

NEWS

respective sector has emerged as one of the big sectors for the transportation industry. In terms of the logistics requirements of the e-commerce sector, nearly half is met by road transport while the rest is met by rail and air against the background of the commitment to deliver goods in less than 24 hours, they add. While Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, NCR and Chennai have emerged as major hubs for e-commerce activities, it is the Pune-Bangalore, Mumbai-Delhi, BangaloreDelhi, Chennai-Mumbai, and Nagpur-Kolkata routes that have emerged as the busiest. Termed as a byproduct of the guidelines laid down by the government to keep Covid virus from spreading, e-commerce activities have seen a steady rise since the second quarter of the current ﬁscal. With the news of a second wave and the risk of new stains, e-commerce transactions are only expected to rise further. This would in-turn create a strong and steady demand for commercial vehicles at the ﬁrst mile,

line-haul and last-mile levels. The most demand as of current claimed to be for ICVs, emerging developments show that as the ﬂow of goods increases, demand for M&HCVs will also increase. With the e-commerce sector in India poised to grow from an estimated USD 40 billion in the current ﬁscal to an estimated USD 100 billion by 2023, the demand for CVs in e-commerce sector is only expected to keep growing albeit with changing requirements for addressing the customer needs as they look at reaching out to more and more pin codes. The number of mobile internet users is expected to swell to 1 billion in the next three years from 600 million now, the demand for CVs by the e-commerce sector is also poised to get

stronger as new hybrid models supported by a chain of brick and mortar showrooms emerge over time, mentioned an industry observer. As pickup points of convenience emerge; as e-commerce sector expands its reach to newer areas of food, furniture, pharma, textile, auto among others, the demand for CVs is only expected to rise, albeit with purpose-built assets designed to serve the exacting application needs overtime, explained an analyst. The day is not far when your favourite car could be delivered at your doorstep by a car carrier as part of an e-commerce transaction much like a television set or a fridge would be delivered, he added. The buyer would not even need to go to the showroom, he quipped.

For representative purpose only

f the construction truck segments have shown traction lately on the back of the announcement of mega infrastructure projects by the government, in the post lockdown environment, it were the e-commerce segment trucks that drove sales at CV makers. At Tata Motors, as much as seven to 10 per cent of M&HCV and I&LCV cargo sales during the current fiscal are claimed to have come from the e-commerce sector as compared to the previous year. Ashok Leyland too has seen a surge in e-commerce application CV sales in the current fiscal. There’s been a sigificant rub-off effect on CV sales as purchasing patterns and trends in the Covid environment saw a spike in e-commerce transactions, claim sources. They mention that as much as 25 per cent of sales in ICV and haulage segments of Ashok Leyland came from the e-commerce sector. Drawing attention to electric three-wheeler and mini-four wheeler startups as well as retrofittment specialists profiting from the e-commerce sector transportation requirements, sources inform that the

For representative purpose only

E-commerce drives CV sales

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

COVER STORY

DRIVING THE TATA ULTRA 2821.T (CONTAINER) Highlighting a distinct shift to application-based approach, the Tata Ultra 2821.T (Container) is about value. Bhushan Mhapralkar

he road is bad, and the ride is unforgiving. An old two-lane cement road leading the traffic out of Ambernath and past Taloja MIDC in Navi Mumbai is not in the best of its shape. Better yet, it has not been cared for; the vagaries of nature having taken a toll over the years and perhaps decades. As a road without toll tax, the resulting ride in the new Tata Ultra 2821.T (Container) is turning out be bumpier than expected. It gets a little better on a newly built stretch some twokms down south and closer to the Taloja MIDC area. Carrying itself admirably over the wellpaved stretch as well as the most ravaged one, the Ultra 2821.T is turning out to be an interesting

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

truck to drive and know. It is quite modern for certain. The Taloja MIDC entrance provides a unique insight about the truck’s length. The civil works going on have narrowed the road, and it takes and amount of manoeuvring to proceed. Capable of acommodating a 32 ft. container at the back, the Ultra 2821.T has a 6750 mm wheelbase. A slightly shorter variant with an ability to accommodate a 24 ft. container has a 5505 mm wheelbase. The better condition of the MIDC road further accentuates the truck’s ability to provide a comfortable driving position. The suspended driver’s seat and the lack of cabin vibration indicate time and again that this truck is not just

COVER STORY

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

COVER STORY noticeably different from the BSIV Ultra, it is increasingly reﬁned and comfortable to pilot. Over the BSIV Ultra, the reﬁnement of this BSVI truck shines through. If one were to chose an air-conditioner, the ride would be even quieter. In a non-air-conditioned truck, with the windows rolled down, an amount of road noise is had for certain. The roar of the pasing trucks and the hum of other vehicles, big and small. But, then that is small price to play for what is a comfortable sleeper cabin with twin passenger seats. The safety cabin also has a berth for a two-driver setup, and is of the walk-through variety. As part of the highly versatile

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

and modular Ultra platform, the 2821.T is also hinting at a significant shift taking place in the CV industry, that of the rising demand for application-based CVs over tonnage-based ones. With a certain influence on moving certain tonnes of cargo, the shift to application-based CVs is driving a noticeable change in strategy at the CV makers, and at the wheel of the Ultra 2821.T this seems to play out well. Aimed at parcel, express and e-commerce ‘linehaul’ applications, this truck is as modern as any mass-volume truck could be. It is quite capable of defining the term, ‘Value Trucks’, highlighting in the process, an express

business purpose of better productivity and earnings. A 6x2 truck with a 28-tonne GVW, the Ultra 2821.T is powered by a 200 hp, ﬁve-litre four-cylinder common-rail diesel engine of the Tata Motors’ Turbotronn family. It is energetic in its ability to support the truck’s performance and seeming to be quite fuel efficient too. Propelling the truck to good speeds and presenting it with good drive-ability, the engine, situated below the seats in a ‘mid-ship’ position under the titlable cab, is contributing to the good reﬁnement levels. With good driveability to boast of, the Ultra 2821.T is equipped with the GF750 six-speed manual transmission. The

COVER STORY

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

COVER STORY

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

COVER STORY unit’s gear shifting quality is good and adds to the comfort of driving the truck. In an ergonomically well-design cockpit, the gear shifter is located bang inside the centre console. If such an arrangement were to highlight modern engineering, the Ultra 2821.T is quite a modern machine no doubt. It is in-line with the changing times, regulations and shifting customer requirements. Makinga positive ﬁrst impression, the Ultra 2821.T does feel a tad long when viewed in the large ORVMs as a rolling chassis. The container superstructure is yet to be built! While the sleeper cabin of the 6x2 truck is easy to climb and exit, the doors open wide. Their trim, which includes an armrest built-in, is modern. It is two-tone in colour and provides a vital link to the modern architecture of this vehicle. Launched in 2018 as one of the most modern, modular and versatile CV platforms to come out of Tata Motors and after the Prima, the Ultra 2821.T is one the many ultra modular variants had on the respective platform. Springing many variants from an LCV to a MCV, the Ultra 2821.T as a part of the platform, is interesting. This truck is about long-haul assignment. The 700-litre twin tanks announce the same in no uncertain terms. About driving from Delhi to Chennai non-stop with two drivers on board to ensure timely delivery of cargo, the Ultra 2821.T is about safety, comfort, reliability, productivity and faster turnaround. With comfort and driveability higher up in the list of deliverables, the modern sleeper cabin of the container

truck is welcoming. Its exterior, replete with large two-tiered head lamps, a psuedo grille and easily repairable three-piece bumper, is indicative of a good ability to cheat the wind. The use of plastic points at weight saving. Spacious enough for two drivers to call it their home as they pilot it from Delhi to Chennai or vice versa, the Ultra 2821.T is well-engineered. Providing good visibility – a central mirror on the top ensures that the blind spot right in front of the truck’s nose is taken care of, the truck has a large windscreen at the front. The tapering windowline aids good visibility as well. Proving to ergonomically wellengineered, the Ultra 2821.T is comfortable to drive as well as be in. The suspended driver’s seat has ample adjustment. The steering is also adjustable to an extent. The two form part of a modern outﬁt that

includes a modern dashboard with a music system at the top centre, and two USB chargers as well. Above it is a 12V socket too. If the gear shifter, jutting out of the centre console, draws attention, it is the comprehensive digital instrument console that impreses. It is indicating a fuel efficiency of 5.1 kmpl. Chances are that it will fall to between 3.5 and 4 kmpl when the container is loaded. However, that still makes it an efficient truck. There’s a real-time gear advisor on board and as part of the comprehensive digital instrument cluster. It coaches the driver on shift up or down as per the need (road and load conditions). Not far from the gear shifter are the 3-drive modes. They are switches that are used to extract better fuel economy (the rising diesel prices no solace) by weighing in on the COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

COVER STORY load and road condition. What the 3-drive modes essential do is to alter the ECM map thereby altering the delivery of fuel among other attributes as part of a closed loop ﬁnely-balanced fuel injection system. With SCR thrown in for good measure, the working of the diesel IC engine has got even more complex. The Ultra 2821.T has a 60 – litre DEF tank. It could be better seen in context of the truck’s application area and a 700-litre twin fuel tank set up. Presenting plenty storage space in the form of door pockets, overhead bins and two gloveboxes among others, the modern sleeper cabin of the truck is well-thought out; as a long-haul machine

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

that could be operating on a stricter time schedule. Riding on 20-inch dia. low rolling resistance radial tube-type tyres, the Ultra 2821.T, defining good value, is clearly an application-based offering. It is a ‘value’ proposition that is at home in an increasingly competitive and challenging business environment. Claimed to be priced in the region of Rs.30 lakhs, the Ultra 2821.T is a modern truck that will fit into the scheme of things at a fleet operator or a logistics company looking to accomplish their express, parcel and e-commerce assignments. While reaching out to most pin codes in the country a challenge as well as a way to succes, the

support of line-haul trucks is made crucial. It is at this very juncture that trucks like the Ultra 2821.T come into the spotlight. Fitted with rear parking sensors, the truck, said to be also aimed at POL tanker application, as well and albeit in a different vein, makes a versatile machine. It is capable and modern. Most of all, it is application-basd. In the face of the competition (there is a similar offering on the Signa platform as well), the Ultra 2821.T makes a strong case for itself. It does so by presenting itself as a good value equation equation, supported by a combination of reﬁnement, comfort, ergonomics, performance and efficiency.

For representative purpose only.

IN FOCUS

THE ERA OF SMART MANUFACTURING The effect of Covid-19 has further accelerated the shift to smarter manufacturing techniques. Bhushan Mhapralkar

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

IN FOCUS

ot only have the CV manufacturers in India had to go back to the drawing board to redraw the best and the seemingly fool-proof strategies to conduct their business, they have had to further accelerate the shift to smart techniques. They have had to, in the process, embrace new technological developments in the area of Artiﬁcal Intelligence (AI), the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), automation, big data, 5G, etc. While companies like Lincode, a leading AI-powered visual inspection company with multiple patent-pending defect detection capabilities, have announced collaboration with Switzerland-based Global Automotive Alliance, which has an in-depth domain knowlegde of the automotive and manufacturing segment on a global level, the accelerating shift to smarter manufacturing techniques in the Indian auto

industry at various levels is opening the doors to the next level of efficiency, expertise and productivity enhancements. Expressed Vinay Raghunath, Partner & Leader, Automotive Sector, EY India, that automotive shopfloors are evolving and adopting digital technologies as challenges like slowdown in demand, non-availability of labour, concerns on health and safety management on the shop floor assume importance. An early adopter of digital manufacturing techniques, the Indian auto industry, he added, has not been able to keep pace with the developments in view of the uncertainty relating to ROI and other factors. With techniques like AI playing a key role in the automotive value chain encompassing regions not just on the shopfloor but also design, pre- (supply chain and materials) and postproduction (dealer network

and aftermarket value-added services like predictive maintenance, spares, insurance, etc.), the shift to smarter manufacturing techniques has further accelerated in the post Covid-19 environment. Mentioned a source close to Ashok Leyland that the CV major took to smart manufacturing initiatives some years back. The planning of the application technique, he added, started even before and primarily for three reasons – to improve productivity through modernisation and digitisation, to address quality issues that are difficult for human beings to detect, and to incorporate made-to-order or mass customization capabilities. As suppliers, OEMs and other stakeholders of the Indian auto industry strive to overcome challenges made bigger or created by Covid-19, a shift towards hyper-intelligent digital technologies is also found to be

For representative purpose only.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

For representative purpose only.

IN FOCUS

growing. This, especially in view of the announcement to roll-out 5G later this year. The primary reasons being given in favour of this move are an ability to achieve resilience and develop immunity against market uncertainties in future.

For representative purpose only.

TACKLING DISRUPTIONS Stating that the Indian economy and the auto sector were already facing signiﬁcant

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

headwinds even before the Covid pandemic struck, an automotive industry observer said that 2020 proved to be a very unkind year for the Indian CV industry as well as the transporters. He explained that the transporters, already burdened with rising fuel prices and higher compliance costs, met with the prospect of sudden deceleration in ﬂeet utilisation sans demand.

The CV OEMs, at the other end, he added, saw a drastic drop in sales, the ripple effect of which set alarm bells ringing across the entire value chain. The transition to BSVI pointing at a 10 to 15 per cent escalation in acquisition costs amid a lockdown that brought utilisation levels down to 10 per cent roughly, got the CV industry in India to look at ways to ensure that unprecedented disruptions do not catch them unaware like the Covid-19 pandemic almost did. It immediately began to look at ways to achieve resilience and develop immunity against market uncertainties in future, The CV industry in India and its partners, according to an industry source, are working towards a new normal by adopting smarter manufacturing techniques. Amid an amount of trepidation concerning the results had from the application of smarter manufacturing techniques until now, industries they are looking at ways to overcome challenges like integration of Information Technology (IT) systems used for data-centric computing with Operational Technology (OT) systems. This, primarily includes digital platforms deployment and integration, data readiness and cyber security. Redrawing strategies to seek as well as develop digital talent, a range of skills and capabilities that would be necessary to drive smart factory transformation including cross-functional proﬁles like engineering-manufacturing, manufacturing-maintenance, and safety-security, industries, attention to costs and ROI among various other factors is being looked at. Considering

IN FOCUS

Stated a manufacturing head at a CV manufacturer on the condition of not revealing his name, that the race for lower takt time is getting smarter and more ruthless. It would hereafter be about artiﬁcial intelligence and automated processes than about employees and their participation in the manufacture of vehicles like it was until now. Pointing at the speed at which regulations are being thrust

upon the Indian auto industry and sans a concrete longterm road map to boast of, he said that ROI is fast becoming a matter of big concern. Justifying the accelerating shift towards smarter manufacturing techniques, he also highlighted the fact that there will be less of humans and more of machines henceforth. With electric vehicle startups making news, on the

For representative purpose only.

A SMARTER WORKING ENVIRONMENT With the focus on making the employees smarter as well as the machines smarter, the rising shift to smarter manufacturing techniques is touching processes like inbound logistics, production planning, sourcing, press shop, body shop, paint shop, quality control and outbound logistics through data visualisation, sensors, analytics, AI-based alerting and fully automated workﬂoors is being increasingly compounded by data collection, historical data and high quality extensive data mining. This is in effect paving way to digitized performance management systems, digitally enabled quality management system, smart automation, technology enabled platforms to automate E2E processes.

For representative purpose only.

the rising need for soft skills such as problem solving and collaboration, attention is being given to adoption of new technologies and the right time to do so. With plant utilisation levels yet to get anywhere closer to the 2017 or 2018 scenario, CV manufacturers and suppliers are said to be evaluating ways to implement smarter manufacturing techniques against the backdrop of social distancing, lesser manpower, revised shift schedules, higher focus on employee health and safety, and modiﬁcation of plant layout. Working on crisis management and building resilience to prepare for unprecendented events like the Covid pandemic in the future, the Indian auto industry is looking at productivity gains, emerging competition and risk aversity in the globalised world as per an EY report.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

IN FOCUS

For representative purpose only.

competitive front a new status quo is emerging. It is certain to have an effect on the shopﬂoor environment; on the adoption of smarter manufacturing techniques. The elements of Industry 4.0 inﬂuencing the move to smarter manufacturing techniques in order to reduce the cost of computation, storage and connectivity, a cloudbased culture is fast emerging. . It is supported by a gradual increase in the understanding of emerging technologies. The plummeting prices of sensors, 3D printers and robots are providing an advantage too. The CV industry, including OEMs and suppliers, is increasingly leveraging smarter technology solutions for asset tracking through the use of embedded

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

sensors, RFID and GPS, etc. On the back of the challenge to keep manufacturing costs down, predictive maintenance with the use of smart manufacturing techniques is gathering force at even the tier-three lower rung of suppliers in the auto industry. This is about monitoring parameters like temperature, pressure, vibration, machine rpm, and ﬂow rate. FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING Resorting to ﬂexible manufacturing and ARbased solutions to upskill manpower, the shift to smarter manufacturing techniques is fast assuming a stance where technology would effectively tackle disruption, meet present and futire customer

requirements, and provide them with a rich and differentiatied experience. With connected vehicles paving the way to the future, the shift to smarter manufacturing techniques, apart from underling quality, resource optimisation, streamlining of business processes and adoption of new emerging technologies, is about anticipating the advantage of solutions like digital twins and rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing among others versus ROI. As new regulations and disruptions present themselves, it is the judicious employment of smarter manufacturing techniques that will prove to be the big difference between ‘win’ or lose’.

INDUSTRY TALK

ENERGY START-UP SUMMIT 2021

The Energy Start-Up Summit 2021 saw experts discuss new innovations and possibilities in the area of fuel distribution. Team CV

little known Punebased company Repos Energy made news last year because of its unique business model to deliver fuel to the doorstep of those who need it to run their machines — CVs, tractors, etc. On May 01, 2020, the company kicked off an initiative to deliver diesel fuel

to the doorstep of farmers in Pune district for their farm equipment. In ﬁve talukas of Pune district, Repos Energy’s four mobile petrol pumps (bowsers) dispensed diesel to over 10,000 farmers in a brief span of 18 days. It pressed into service truck (on Tata Ultra 1014 chassis) bowsers to support the farmers during

the lockdown, and against the backdrop of the fast approaching sowing season. Since then, much water has ﬂown under the bridge. When the experts in the ﬁeld of fuel distribution met recently at the Energy Start-Up Summit 2021, they discussed the challenges and opportunities in the fast-emerging business

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

INDUSTRY TALK

Sateesh Machiraju, Head - Sales & Marketing, ILCV Trucks, Tata Motors.

Matt Powers, Business Development Manager, Gilbarco Veeder-Root.

sector. They discussed how the initiative of doorstep fuel distribution would support mechanisation of agricultural and construction equipment among others. They also discussed about how such an initiative could help curb CO2 emissions. Taking heed of the rapid shift in fuel distribution, Sateesh Machiraju, Head - Sales & Marketing, ILCV Trucks, Tata Motors, expressed that he expects more start-ups to enter. “Over 80 per cent of the supply of pure liquid fuels would be on wheels in the next five years,” he stated. Of the opinion that the future of energy distribution in India is bright, Machiraju mentioned that the demand for diesel fuel has been rising steadily. He added that Tata Motors is helping Repos Energy to build an ecosystem. Matt Powers, Business Development Manager, Gilbarco VeederRoot, averred that a significant shift in fuel distribution began in 2018 with the advent of electric vehicles. In 2019, the trend to supply fuel to the doorstep of those who find it difficult to get their machines to the fuel station was quite evident, he quipped. Praising the development of mobile fueling in India,

Powers informed that new technology is finding its way into gas stations, and in the area of fuel distribution. Mobile fuel distribution trend is catching up the world over, he said. With an ability to bring about a big change in bowser and fuel dispensing technology, the aspect of mobile fuel distribution is leading to new experiments and prototypes every now and then, Powers added. He remarked further, that the benefit of this would further enhance the efficiency of fuel distribution. Of the view that companies could act as a hub or portal fuel site where the bowser could deliver it to the point of use, Powers pointed at a distribution model that would well-serve businesses like mining and construction companies. Stating that mobile fuel distribution companies will profit from trends like rising farm mechanisation, Powers mentioned that it would lead to a considerable reduction in carbon footprint. About carbon footprint reduction, John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute, USA, stressed on the need for efficient fuel distribution. Drawing attention to the rising momentum of carbon pricing,

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

Eichberger averred that some past major oil companies have expressed a preference for carbon pricing mechanism to address emissions since it is much more transparent and easier to understand. He added, “About 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emission in 2020 was governed by carbon pricing mechanism.” Of the opinion that some markets like India will take time to move away from liquid fuels despite a big push towards electric vehicles, Eichberger said that diesel fuel distribution should be done such that its quality is not lost while being transmitted. Said Manish Sinha, Deputy General Manager (C&PJ), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. that his company has funded around 15 start-ups connected to different aspects of the energy sector. Many applications were for fuel delivery bowsers, he informed. Announcing that Indian Oil is working with many startups, Sinha averred signiﬁcant progress has been achieved after delivery at the door step was given permission in 2019. Pointing at a series of changes made in the policies and regulations governing fuel retailing in the country, he explained that his company was working with start-ups to take to the market new business ideas that would elevate business prospects of the entire value chain. Expressed Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog, that energy demand over the past few decades has steadily increased across all sectors. He informed that India’s per capita energy consumption stands at 30 per

INDUSTRY TALK

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute,USA.

Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog.

Tarun Kapoor, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.

cent of the world’s average, which is 0.44-tonnes of oil equivalent consumption per capita versus the global average of 1.9-tonnes of oil equivalent. Highlighting the need for energy transition to electric mobility, Kant said that new and emerging growth areas need to be looked at. Founder and Chairman of Praj Industries Ltd., Pramod Chaudhari, said that biofuel would help India reduce carbon footprint. He expressed that India is the third-largest

energy-consuming country. It has more than 80 per cent import of crude oil and 40 per cent of LNG, added Chaudhari. Tarun Kapoor, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, said that the energy demand of the country was complemented by energy transition. He quipped that the energy transition taking place was however different from those in the other markets. Stating that developed countries have reached the level where they don’t need

more energy, and are focusing on renewable energy and fossil fuel-based energy, India is seeking more energy from fossil fuels even as it looked at renewable energy sources and moves over to them over the years. Of the opinion that mobile fuel dispensing sector will grow, Kapoor said that start-ups should be supported for their ability to bring new ideas to the table. “Budding entrepreneurs should track the international market and brainstorm new ideas,” he signed off.

During pandemic Repos Energy delivered diesel fuel to the doorstep of farmers in Pune district for their farm equipment. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

SMART TRANSPORT

The image is used for representative purpose only.

REAL-TIME E-BUS

In India, the e-bus space in real-time is a mix of challenges and opportunities. Deepti Thore

lectric buses in India are continuing to proliferate, albeit with the support of Government schemes like FAME II. Their growth is more or less limited to the shared mobility domain and includes a small fleet with a number of public transport undertakings spread across the country. A key factor in their operate-ability is finance. It is also linked to their ability to tap opportunities and overcome the challenges. In terms of finance, the creation of viable options is necessary. A significant funding cost is associated with the procurement of charging

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infrastructure and more buses. This also varies with the size of the e-buses that are being procured. Whether they are of seven-metre length and with a certain capacity, or whether they are of 12-metre length. The price of e-buses also differs from company to company, from the use of its technology and various other factors surrounding the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) throughout the life of the vehicle. With Covid-19, transport undertaking organisations are experiencing their ﬁnances being deeply impacted. There’s not much room to

further increase the deficit. It is the impact on the finances of transport undertaking that is providing a real-time check on opportunities and challenges in the e-bus space. A more cautious approach is in the offering. Before undertaking new projects, it is imperative thus, that a clear vision for bus transport at national, state and city levels, backed by supplemental funding is to be chalked out. The bus system in India has not yet found a way to implement bus services in a sustainable fashion. It is very difficult to undertake large programs of electrification

SMART TRANSPORT

BUSINESS MODELS The high potential business models are also crucial to drive investment. This model has to be evaluated in consultation with State Transport Undertakings (STUs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and operators. The TCOs for each of these models and key policy enablers are essential to make or break a deal. It is perhaps a prime indicator of

one e-bus model or variant being chosen over the other. Against a backdrop like this, there are some business models which are already being proposed. The Gross Cost Contracts (GCC) adopted by FAME II tenders in Pune for vehicles owned and operated by private entities with per-km payment by STU for example. The risk factor associated with this model is financial sustainability for STUs for carrying out e-bus operations and certainty of payment for private operators and contract bank-ability and terms. The financial lease (public transport) model for vehicles leased and operated by STUs or private entities against a fixed-rate per km includes risk factors such as lower upfront costs and unclear tax implications. Considered as an

asset in the balance sheet, it may call for VGF subsidy. The unbundled (public transport) model for STU or operators to procure bus and lease batteries is another model where risk factors include less upfront costs, lack of FI’s or NBFCs or leasing companies and lack of reuse or recycle market impacting development of leasing options. The aggregator model (for public transport) is about procuring an e-bus and batteries and leases them to the operators. The risks in this involves the lack of a policy or regulatory environment. There is a lack of DISCOM or aggregator with the necessary expertise to play a role. The private inter-city buses model adopted by ‘Purple Mobility’, a private bus operator based at Pune, is for vehicles operated

The image is used for representative purpose only.

because the long term financing is not secure. Few important factors in terms of financing and funding are enhancing revenues in terms of Vehicle Registration Tax, Annual Vehicle Tax and fuel surcharge, rebalancing expenditures within state or city budgets and finally adjusting the fares.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

The image is used for representative purpose only.

SMART TRANSPORT

by the service provider. It is about vehicles being owned or leased. The risks involved in such a business model is the lack of FAME subsidies. There is also the need for distributed charging infrastructure, common charging, depot and terminal facilities. THE COMPLEXITIES The main key driver which will deﬁne the base of adoption is institutions deﬁning operational capabilities required for successful operations of e-buses. The introduction of electric buses requires state engagement, as the complexities associated with charging and higher upfront costs are substantial. The process must take into account several more factors when deploying an e-bus compared to a diesel bus. STUs need to understand the need for a completely different approach to vehicle deployment and

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scheduling, due to the intersection between charging requirements, range and operating schedule. This shows the complexity faced

with e-buses compared to diesel buses. The level of complexity is very different for e-buses and diesel buses. The level of complexity is deﬁned by the need to train people, adopt new tools and develop new thinking. For large scale adoption of e-buses, training a lot of people in terms of optimising battery size, battery life cycle, type of charging and so on will be required. It is important that the parameters are as clear as possible and the timelines are consistent with the level of complexity associated. There are several policies which are implemented by the government in recent times to promote e-buses. Fame II, for example with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crores provides an incentive to 7000 buses and is focused on shared mobility with buses and three-wheelers getting 70 per cent of demand incentives. Under the scheme, some 5595 electric

SMART TRANSPORT

THE OPPORTUNITIES In fact, there are many STUs which are also taking required measures for the transition to electric mobility. Andhra Pradesh, for example, is looking at taking a big leap forward by converting 100 per cent of the state’s bus ﬂeet into electric by 2029. Delhi is said to be planning to have 50 per cent of its new

buses as electric. Assam is also said to be planning to introduce 500 electric buses, which will be exempted from state GST. Gujarat is known to target procurement of 1500 e-buses on road by 2022, and to develop an additional 25 bus depots on PPP mode. Kerala is also known to commit conversion of its ﬂeet of over 6000 buses to run on electricity by 2025. Madhya Pradesh is claimed to target conversion of 100 per cent of its bus ﬂeet to electricity by 2028. Maharashtra, on the other hand, is providing an additional subsidy of Rs.10 lakh for the development of e-buses. In Punjab, a provision has been made by the state government to offer 100 per cent waiver on permit fee and Motor Vehicle Tax (MVT) to private bus operators. In Telangana, 100 percent e-buses are expected to be operated by 2030 for intra-

city, inter-city and inter-state transport. In Tamil Nadu, close to about 1000 e-buses are scheduled to be introduced every year. These are a few big movements towards electric buses in India. For India to become a country with sustainable urban transport, it would take time. However, steps in that direction are deﬁnitely being taken, and with buses leading the way. It is the e-buses, which are poised to complement the various new-age public transport systems that are springing up in cities. The progress in the deployment of e-buses is good so far. It is supported by FAME I as well. With various STUs showing much initiative, some 600 e-buses have already been made operational across different regions of India. These involve major cities like Pune, Kolkata, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai and others.

The image is used for representative purpose only.

buses have already been sanctioned to 64 cities or state governments. Niti Aayog has also prepared a Master Concession Agreement (MCA) for procurement of e-buses on OpEx basis. The hiring of electric buses by local authorities are exempted from GST. GST on EVs and chargers have been reduced to ﬁve per cent as compared to 28 per cent for other vehicles and 43 per cent for hybrid vehicles. Policy decisions are being taken by the Government to promote e-buses.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

INDUSTRY TALK

INDUSTRY REACTS TO THE UNION BUDGET The auto industry and various other related sectors like the logistics sector have reacted to the 2021 Union Budget. Team CV

he Indian auto industry has reacted to the Union Budget 2021. The focus of the union budget, it is clear by now, is on health and infrastructure. In his post budget reaction, Kenichi Ayukawa, President, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has expressed that the budget is visionary and reflects government’s expansionary stance with a thrust on infrastructure building with measures for efficiency improvement and increasing competitiveness. “Good macroeconomic growth will translate to good auto sector demand,” he mentioned. The official

Kenichi Ayukawa, President, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

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Daimler India Commercial Vehicles statement regarding the 2021 union budget welcomed the government’s decision to introduce the voluntary vehicle scrapping policy and the budget allocation for the road projects under the Bharatmala programme. It reads that there is a need to understand the actual infrastructure spends in the state government budgets that will help create buoyancy in the market. The announcement of infrastructure for roadways, the statement mentioned, would create more demand for BharatBenz products in the construction tipper segment where a growing

Avinash Raghav, Co-founder & MD, Shift Freight.

customer base is already visible. Said Nishant Arya, Executive Director, JBM Group, that the allocation of Rs.18,000 crore for the public bus transport services has come as a sigh of relief for the bus makers who have been caught in the doldrums from 2019. “The proposed PPP model will inturn help the sector to create employment as well and overcome the adverse effect of the pandemic,” he added. Of the opinion that the heavy and medium commercial vehicle sector will see a boost in demand as a sum of Rs.5.54 trillion has been allocated for infrastructure development, Arya remarked

Deepak MV, Co-founder and CEO, Etrio.

INDUSTRY TALK that the 2.5 to five-percent reduction in customs duty on some of the semi-finished and finished steel products will have a positive impact on the automotive industry. Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director & CEO, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., expressed that the budget is growth-oriented. It has a significant focus on healthcare and infrastructure, he added. Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group India, averred that the Budget 2021-22 will spur growth and has the potential to generate employment with a focus on key sectors like healthcare, infrastructure and manufacturing. “The focus on scrappage policy and PLI for automotive sector needs to be studied for details. The promised review and consolidation of GST and Customs Duty structure (rates) by Sep 2021 is a welcome development,” he added. According to Bali, the purchase of 20,000 buses will augment and render the much-needed support to the industry. About the Union Budget 2021-22, Vikram Kirloskar, Vice

Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said that it strikes an remarkable balance between growth and fiscal prudence by setting pragmatic revised targets and glide path for fiscal consolidation. It emphasises on capital expenditure and infrastructure creation through borrowing and asset monetization and not through any significant increase in taxation, he added. Of the opinion that the voluntary scrapping policy can help take older vehicles off the roads to lower fuel consumption, pollution, and generate additional demand for cleaner new vehicles, Kirloskar expressed that they have continuously worked towards creating a self-reliant and competitive local manufacturing ecosystem. The production linked incentive scheme could potentially make India a part of the global supply chain for both traditional and advanced automotive technologies, informed Kirloskar. Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors, said that the union budget 202122 is a progressive statement

Kamal Bali, President & MD, Volvo Group India.

Ankit Kumar, CEO, Gozero Mobility.

of intent and action that aims to both stimulate and sustain growth following an unprecedented year. He added that the significant increase in overall allocation towards capital expenditure and comprehensive measures like the focus on rural development, infrastructure investment, impetus to manufacturing, social welfare, and entrepreneurship and digitisation, would enable holistic development. From the auto industry perspective, Butschek highlighted the voluntary vehicle scrapping policy, measures to augment public transport system in urban areas, continuing focus on adoption of cleaner fuels, outlays for road infrastructure development and Swachh Bharat Mission. BUDGET FOR SUPPLIERS AND MSMES? Sanjay Phadke, EVP & Head Global Platforms, Alliances & FI Business,Vayana Network, an electronic network that connects corporates and their supply chain to financial institutions for easy, quick and low-cost access to trade

Ashwath Ram, Managing Director, Cummins India.

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IINDUSTRY TALK

financing of their payables and receivables, that the focus on enhancing macro spending across healthcare, infrastructure and large scale manufacturing spells a big positive. The resultant virtuous cycle will provide a significant tailwind to MSMEs too. There are many specific measures on changes in duties, easier compliances etc that would provide support to MSMEs that are ravaged by Coronavirus crisis, he added. Ashwath Ram, Managing Director, Cummins India, described the budget as progressive with a focus on the socioeconomic development of the country and emphasis on railways, the power sector, infrastructure, healthcare, and enhanced digital connectivity. “The voluntary vehicle scrappage policy,” he said, “will have a positive impact and drive the commercial vehicle and auto sector forward.” “MSMEs and other user industries, affected severely by the recent sharp rise in iron and steel prices, will receive a push by the decision to double

the allocation of MSME and reduce the customs duty on some of the steel products, remarked Ram. He drew attention to the government’s focus on highways and infrastructure investment. This will provide the necessary impetus to the CV and construction equipment businesses, he added. Of the opinion that the budget is optimistic, Farrokh Cooper, Chairman & MD, Cooper Corporation Pvt. Ltd., mentioned that the significant stress on railways, power sector, infrastructure, healthcare, banking, insurance, and agriculture will help revive the country’s economy. He added that the voluntary policy to scrap vehicles would have a positive effect on the automobile industry. The decision to double the allocation of MSME and to reduce the customs duty on steel, Cooper remarked, would help. Vikas Bajaj, President, AIFI (Association of Indian Forging Industry), said that the budget will have a positive effect with the focus

on railways, power, health, infrastructure, banking, and insurance and agriculture sectors. The voluntary policy on vehicle scrappage will have a positive effect on the auto sector, he added. The positive step to reduce customs duty uniformly to 7.5 per cent on semis, flat, and long products of nonalloy, alloy, and stainless steels would contribute to better raw material prices and lower input costs, remarked Bajaj. Sanjay Gupta, Vice President and India Country Manager, NXP Semiconductors, expressed that the first-ever digital budget’s focus on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and R&D is welcome. Positive is the announcement to invest Rs.50,000 crore in the National Research Foundation over the period of five years, he added. Of the opinion that R&D is the lifeline for any organisation, Gupta said that there was a need to focus on ‘design-in-India’ and ‘Make-inIndia’ to get ahead of the curve. Said Suresh KV, President, ZF India, that the budget is

Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors.

Vikas Bajaj, President, AIFI (Association of Indian Forging Industry).

N Nagasatyam, Executive Director, Olectra Greentech.

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INDUSTRY TALK in-line with the government’s vision for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. Welcoming the voluntary scrappage policy announcement, he averred that backed up by an effective implementation plan it would really boost the growth of the auto industry. Drawing attention towards the announcement to allocate 1.18 lakh crore to improve public transport in Indian cities and procure 20,000 new buses, Suresh KV stated that a strong push in infrastructure building including roads, economic corridors and railways will enhance the demand for heavy and mediumduty commercial vehicles and increase employment opportunities. He welcomed the allocation of Rs.1.97 lakh crore over the next five years towards the Production Linked Incentive scheme (PLI) to boost manufacturing in India. Harsha Kadam, CEO, Schaeffler Group India, expressed that the budget has the ingredients to deliver long-term growth. The government is bullish on public spending, he added.

Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Bridgestone India, mentioned that the scrappage policy for vehicles would lead to increased demand. ACMA, the apex body of Indian automotive components manufacturers, appreciated the budget’s focus health and infrastructure. Its statement read that the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, coupled with the ‘Nation-First’ initiative, will propel the sector towards growth. The statement also underlined initiatives like road infrastructure development, voluntary scrappage policy, impetus on research and development, and PLI among others, as conducive to strong growth. Mentioned Udit Sheth, Vice Chairman, Setco Automotive Ltd., that the budget is progressive and focuses on infrastructure and spending. “It would boost the job market and build confidence of the industry,” he added. BUDGET FOR EV PLAYERS? As far as EVs are concerned, this budget turned out to be progressive. Said Sohinder

Gill, Director General, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles, that the scrappage policy would encourage the adoption of greener vehicles. It would also automatically create a push towards electric vehicles, he added. Drawing attention to the setting aside of Rs.2,217 crore for 42 urban centres with a million-plus population for clean air, Gill averred that some of the amount from it could be used to spread awareness about e-vehicles and their ability to contribute towards air clean. Appreciating the government’s plan to strengthen public transport sector under PPP models with an outlay of Rs.18000 crores for operating 20000 buses, Gill said that it would further strengthen the EV industry by acquiring more number of e-buses. Nishchal Chaudhary, Co-Founder & CEO, BattRE, said that there are no direct incentives introduced for the EV industry. The proposed steep increase in capital expenditure will push the growth and induce a higher consumption, which will definitely boost automobile

Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Bridgestone India.

Rhitiman Majumder, Co-founder, Pickrr Technologies.

Suresh KV, President, ZF India.

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IINDUSTRY TALK and EV sales, he added. Of the opinion that the expectation of the EV industry to reduce GST on lithium batteries and other raw materials to five-per cent was not met, Chaudhary remarked that the current GST structure is leading to a huge working capital blockage, and is hindering growth. Expressed Ankit Kumar, CEO, Gozero Mobility, that the voluntary vehicle scrapping policy would incentivise move to new vehicles and more innovative mobility solutions, pushing the EV industry into the limelight. Drawing attention to the allocation of Rs.2217 crore to tackle issues plaguing air pollution, targeting 42 cities with a population of more than a million, Kumar said that he is optimistic about the rise of charging infrastructure and electric vehicles. He also stressed on the National Hydrogen Mission with the proposal to draw energy from renewable. It is an initiative that will ensure the availability of an entire value chain in energy consumption, including EVs, quipped Kumar. Deepak MV, Co-founder and CEO, Etrio, averred that the budget demonstrates the commitment by the government to boost demand and generate employment through investments in areas like infrastructure, finance, and healthcare. Extending support to startups and MSMEs through tax exemptions and increased coverage of small companies’ threshold, the budget, from

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the auto industry standpoint, takes soft steps in the right direction through measures like voluntary scrappage policy, he added. Stressing on the allocation of Rs.1.97 lakh crore towards PLI along with custom duty increase on components, Deepak said that domestic manufacturing will get a fillip. The EV industry, he quipped, could have got more support with the mention of charging infrastructure development and moderation of inverted GST tax structure. N Nagasatyam, Executive Director, Olectra Greentech, said that the allocation of Rs.4,400 crore towards promoting clean air in the cities with more than onemillion population and steps to close the thermal power stations surpassing the permissible emission limits, reaffirms Government’s commitment towards curbing the pollution. “The allocation of Rs. 1.7 lakh crore will help in better transport infrastructure offering a comfortable travel to the commuters across the country,” he added. BUDGET FOR TRANSPORTERS? The road transport industry did not ﬁnd any mention in the budget despite it asking for relief and hand holding post what is described as the world’s most stringent lockdown at the beginning of the current ﬁscal. Averred K. Satyanarayana, Co-founder & Director, Ecom Express, that he is happy to see the government’s commitment towards ensuring smooth logistics services by creating an outlay budget for national highway projects to the

tune of Rs.1.18 lakh crore of 8,500 km by March 2022 and an additional 11,000 km of National Highway Corridor. “This impetus on infrastructure and logistics will help to boost the economy,’ he added. Welcoming the continued focus of a digital India with the introduction of an Rs.1,500 crore scheme on digital payment, Satyanarayana said that it would help smoothen the customer interface for logistics companies like theirs. Pushkar Singh, Co-founder & CEO, Lets Transport, said that the voluntary vehicle scrapping policy announcement is welcome and will result in more sustainable and better logistics. The allocation of Rs.1.18 trillion and an announcement of over Rupees-two trillion worth of highways in four states will aid smoother logistics and transport, he added. Averred Rhitiman Majumder, Cofounder, Pickrr Technologies, that the infusion of money for road development in four states is a welcome move for smoother and faster logistics movement. “The move will further ensure greater connectivity in tier-2 and tier-3 cities,” he added. Avinash Raghav, Co-founder & MD, Shift Freight, said that the new economic corridor to boost road infrastructure and the decision to award 13,000 km of roads under the Bharatmala Mala project are good moves by the government. “Not only will this create better connectivity, it will also add to job opportunities at the grass root level,” he added.

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OFF-HIGHWAY

SANY EXCAVATOR SY80C-9 Sany India has introduced an eight-tonne hydraulic excavator, SY80C-9. Team CV

ot on the heels of the announcement regarding the manufacture of the 15000th machine in India, Pune-based Sany India has launched an eight-tonne hydraulic excavator called the SY80C-9. Introduced at a time when the government has announced mega infrastructure projects, which could provide the much needed ﬁllip to the off-highway equipment industry, the new excavator is being presented by the company as a reliable machine. A machine that ﬁnely balances the performance and efficiency needs of its operators. Supported by a tag-line, ‘Quality Changes the World’, the excavator is claimed

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to be suitable for fishery and brickfield industry applications. The two are particularly found in good numbers in the eastern region of the country. Pointing at the SY80C-9, Dheeraj Panda, Director -- Sales & Marketing, and Customer Support, Sany Heavy Industry India Pvt., expressed that it is capable of offering significant productivity gains to the fishery and brickfield industry. “The machine would offer higher return on investment by proving to be efficient and reliable,” he added. Of the opinion that the government’s focus on infrastructure development has led to a rise in demand for excavators, Panda averred that he is confident of excavators

finding more and varied use as the economy recovers from the pandemic. Starting the Indian operations in 2009 with the manufacture of concrete equipment, Sany India, well-aware of the excavator’s multi-purpose role as a machine used for loading, digging, mining and quarrying, is keen to see the SY80C-9 find many takers on the basis of its advanced features and superior qualities. Expecting the machine, powered by a 58.5 hp Kubota engine and featuring a well-synchronised hydraulic system, to find use in applications like general grading and landscaping, digging of trenches, holes, foundations, demolition, and construction, the company

OFF-HIGHWAY is following a distinct ‘make in India’ strategy. With an operating weight of 7920 kg, the excavator is equipped with solenoid controlled load sensing and Dynamic Optimization Matching Control System (DOMCS). Having a variable displacement axial piston pump and a bucket capacity of 0.32 cu. m., the excavator features smart machine alert, robust undercarriage, heavy-duty structure, a remote monitoring system and advanced dynamic control. The remote monitoring system helps to monitor the machine remote and ensure it does not lose out on efficiency or productivity. It also helps with tracking and geofencing of the machine. A load sensing control system helps the oil flow to the desired area, reducing unnecessary oil usage. It also

helps to get optimum fuel efficiency. The automatic idle function reduces fuel consumption whereas the three three working modes (S, L and B) ensure that the machine operates at optimal efficiency in connection with the nature of the given application. Equipped with a large welded box-type boom arm made up of high strength material, the excavator has a good boom swing. The machine arm at the tear is specially reinforced and offers torsional resistance to the arm assembly’s strength. Its high strength bucket surface gives longer service life. Its optimised design reduces rock and sand resistance. The heavy-duty upper frame in the machine is designed to improve the platform’s bending strength.

The ‘D’-shaped large section stronger beam is designed to withstand external shocks whereas the undercarriage is made up of high strength alloy steel with good wear resistance and durability. The water-proof and dust-proof cabin of the excavator is air-conditioned and spacious. It has an adjustable suspension seat with back-seat inclination, height adjustment, armrest height adjustment, and more. The rear cushioning of the seat is designed for operator comfort. It reduces operator fatigue. Vibrationproof anti interference colour LCDs provide realtime information regarding machine’s working status. There’s an abnormal alarm function too, to ensure safe operation.

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INTERNATIONAL

VOLVO TRUCKS ELECTRIFICATION STRATEGY Volvo Trucks is working on an electrification strategy that would include the strengthening of its existing e-trucks and new exciting launches. Team CV

urope is no stranger to electric truck experiments. Every European CV major has invested substantial sums and resources for the cause. Much has been achieved in a way to alternate fuel strategy in terms of CO2 emission reduction. More needs to be achieved to attain a sustainable zero emissions goal as more and more trucks hit the roads in Europe with motors and battery packs onboard to complement urban delivery ﬂeets and serve customers like big retail chains, municipalities

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among others. Aiming at a complete fossil-free product range by 2040, Volvo Trucks is pushing its e-truck range at various levels and in various continents. Pushing its e-truck portfolio and electriﬁcation strategy to encompass new application areas and possibilities, the Swedish CV major is expected to achieve good progress on the alternate fuel front this year. Said to be working on some ultimate game changing moves in the shift to zero-emission mobility, and to provide a sustainable goal for transport mobility

against the backdrop of extreme climate events, it is known to work closely with its suppliers and other partners. The clear aim is claimed to be about reducing operating costs for customers and higher efficiencies for the end users. Proving to be exciting animals, the current ﬂeet of e-trucks from Volvo -- the e-FL, e-FE and the e-VNR, are showing the promise of being multiple times more efficient than their diesel counterparts at moving the same freight. The electric versions of Volvo FL and FE deployed in select

INTERNATIONAL European markets as seeding units are helping end users such as restaurants or stores to reduce inventory. According to Jonas Odermalm, Head, Product Strategy -- FL & FE trucks, Volvo, their quieter operation-ability is enabling them to operate at off-hours or in the middle of the night unlike diesel trucks that would be not allowed to operate. This would invariably help such businesses to save money. Roger Alm,

and e-FE trucks in 2019, Volvo has gained good ground until the start of 2021. Upon an amount of research at the ﬂeet and end customer level in Europe, Volvo Trucks saw an opportunity to provide solutions to some unique challenges with its trucks. Challenges like daytime delivery hiccups, which called for the end customers to invest in higher inventory. With e-truck for urban regions, the end customers could save the

need to have double amounts of all ingredients in the store. They could hope for shipment in time. They could hope to be more efficient and address their fear of losing out on their clients. The fact that urban Trucks’ often travel at lesser speeds than their long-haul counterparts saw Volvo Trucks’ develop e-trucks like the e-FL and e-FE to save much energy and reduce emissions. A look at the e-FL and e-FE trucks

President, Volvo Trucks, is of the opinion that Volvo’s work in the area of e-trucks is taking them closer to fulﬁlling their customers need for sustainability. It is aiding many transport operators working hard to reduce their environmental footprint and improving drivers’ working environment. Most of all, added Alm, our work in the area of e-trucks is paving way for quieter and cleaner transports. VOLVO E-FL, E-FE AND E-VNR Announcing its electriﬁcation efforts in 2019 with the e-FL

Roger Alm, President, Volvo Trucks.

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INTERNATIONAL

Volvo FL Electric truck.

Volvo FE Electric truck.

Volvo VNR Electric truck.

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with city distribution and refuse operations, and it will be clear. The e-FL is a twoaxle truck with a GVW of up to 16-tonnes. Producing 248 hp, it comes in two different wheelbases and a battery capacity that enables an operating range of up to 300 km. The e-FE, at the other end, is a three-axle truck with a GVW of up to 27-tonnes. Producing 496 hp and having an operating range of up to 200 km, it is being used for waste collection, light construction transports and deliveries in urban regions. Given the low average speed of about 20.1 kmph and a load averaging about 15 per cent of its maximum load, an e-FE waste collection truck is turning out to be more efficient than its diesel equivalent. This, since the average efficiency of diesel at such a low-load level is claimed to be about 20 per cent. In comparison, the e-truck has the ability to exhibit about 80 per cent efficiency. Add brake energy recuperation and more efficient auxiliary drives, and the level elevates itself to about five times that of a diesel equivalent. In North America, the e-VNR is attracting takers on the premise that it is available in three configurations (a single-axle straight truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of 15-tonnes and two tractor configurations of 29-tonne GCWR and 37-tonne GCWR). Rated at 455 hp, the e-truck, with its driveline very similar to that of the e-FE, is fitted with 264 kWh lithium-ion batteries. These could be charged up to 80 per cent within 70 minutes and offer an operating range of

INTERNATIONAL

PILOT TESTING AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE In its quest to extend its electrification strategy to construction trucks, Volvo is working on the FMX platform with an electric driveline. The Swedish CV major is, in fact, pilot testing at a construction site in its home country, an FMX electric truck. The project is jointly run by Volvo Trucks and Swerock, with the support of JOAB ( truck body manufacturer) and Saraka ( concrete mixers manufacturer). An electric FM truck with mixer superstructure is also being tested by Swerock in Gothenburg. There’s also an electric Volvo FMX truck fitted with a hook lift being up to 241 km. Aimed at urban transportation, the e-VNR is addressing the heightened energy needs. With even things that worked before with mechanical technology being made electronic or digital -like mobile devices and more, the e-VNR is helping US urban fleets to seek the advantage of e-trucks with their ability to haul the same loads as a diesel truck equivalent, saving costs and upping efficiency in the process. Commercially available for customer applications and driving cycles with local and regional distribution ranges, the e-VNR, according to Peter Voorhoeve, President,

tested. It is being tested at a large urban construction site, claim sources. They mention that Volvo has appointed a team to monitor the performance of the e-construction trucks. This would help Volvo to further develop a range of e-construction trucks for various applications. Providing both stationary charging stations and portable ones to address customer’s driving cycles and help them to maximise productivity, Volvo Trucks is cooperating closely with Swerock to empower it to reduce its environmental impact and fuel consumption in the process.

Volvo Trucks North America, is a result of having worked alongside our fleet customers to plan beyond the vehicle and have developed an entire support system to ensure the vehicle meets their needs dayin and day-out. VISION 2021 With the e-FE, e-FL and e-VNR fairly well-entrenched, Volvo Trucks, as part of its electrification strategy, is expanding the envelope. It is looking at the electrification of its FH, FM and FMX heavyduty truck range. With a gross combination weight of up to 44-tonnes and the range of

up to 300 km depending on the battery configuration, the electrification of FH, FM and FMX range would unleash many new application possibilities without having to pay for a significant carbon footprint. Averred Alm, that Volvo Trucks would be putting on sale the electric versions of these trucks this year in Europe and start volume production in next year. Aware that a swift transition from fossil fuels to alternatives is not an easy job as conditions vary for transporters and markets, the Swedish CV major is looking at the entire ecosystem as well as the key areas where

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INTERNATIONAL

The electrification of FH, FM and FMX range would unleash many new application possibilities.

it could go to work to make such a transition easier. It is in particular looking at areas such as ﬁnancial incentives, access to charging infrastructure and type of transport operations. Considering the time it would take for transporters to transition to electric, Volvo Trucks, according to Alm, is keeping an eye on even the most minute market shifts. It

is also preparing for a stage where the preference would be for a mixed ﬂeet powered by different fuels. At least during the transition period. Having designed a chassis for its trucks such that they could be used for diesel as well as alternate fuel drivelines, Volvo Trucks, has done a lot of work to power its alternate fuel strategy on a long-term

E-trucks is part of the Volvo Trucks larger scheme of things in its journey to a complete fossil-fuel free product range by 2040.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

basis. Its customers therefore could choose to have the same model with electric, gas or diesel driveline. Averred Alm, that such a move made it easier for them to offer the same product characteristics like driver environment, reliability and safety across drivelines. Of the opinion that electric is an investment for the future, Alm mentioned that zero tailpipe emissions and lower noise of an electric truck opens up many new possibilities to transport goods. e-trucks can now carry goods where regular trucks can’t. Creating more opportunities to perform a wide range of transports assignments during off-peak hours and improve fleet as well as space utilisation, e-trucks, because of their lower noise levels also make for a smoother drive. Their significantly lower vibration levels in the cab make for better safety. Ideal for urban transport because the electric motor fitted in the truck offers a smooth and seamless power delivery, e-trucks are part of the Volvo Trucks larger scheme of things in its journey to a complete fossil-fuel free product range by 2040 no doubt. The CV major is well aware of the need for battery and hydrogen-electric vehicles with a more extended range. Expressed Jessica Sandström, Senior Vice President, Product Management, Volvo Trucks, “We are committed to driving the development of sustainable transport solutions.” “We are here to enable an easy and viable transition to electrified transports,” she added.

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KENWORTH T680 NEXT GEN Kenworth’s new T680 Next Generation on-highway flagship truck promises better fuel efficiency. Team CV

uel efficiency is a factor that is dear to ﬂeets and road transporters the world over. The rising cost of fuel and efforts to ﬁnd alternate ways of propelling vehicles is

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

enough to underline the fact. And, especially concerning commercial vehicles big and small. As an on-highway ﬂagship HGV, the Kenworth new T680 promises six-per cent better fuel economy by

the virtue of its sleek design. Highlighting significant improvement in aerodynamics, driver comfort and ergonomics and technology with features like a 15-inch digital screen dash display, the new truck seeks a fine balance between aerodynamics and performance. Looking beyond the promise of six-per cent better fuel economy by the virtue of its sleek design, the next generation truck includes in its specs a 76-inch sleeper. Easier-to-service and replete with components that offer longer life for maximum uptime, the long-haul tractorhead, starting with a narrower hood and grille design that cuts neatly through the air, features A-pillar turning vanes that create less wake next to side windows and smoothens out the airflow around the cab. Also featuring integrated front air dams, redesigned chassis fairings, and optional 28-inch side extenders, the truck boasts of a tandem axle fairings that combine with new wind-slick wheel covers to reduce turbulence around the rear wheels and on to the trailer. A result of an integration of engineering teams, aerodynamic experts and the styling department, the T680 Next Gen truck is a result of the expanding of boundaries of truck design and continuous development involving over 100 truck drivers for their inputs. Powered by a

INTERNATIONAL 13-litre EPA 2021 Paccar MX-13 engine that does between 405 hp and 510 hp, the new T680, according to Joe Adams, Kenworth chief engineer, is the most aerodynamic truck in company history. Supporting fuel efficiency enhancements with the means of optional side extenders that extend an additional nine-inches – 28-inches in total length, that helps close the tractor/trailer gap and smoothen out the airflow from the top and sides of the tractor onto the trailer to be precise, the new T680 also has the airflow under the chassis addressed. This, said Adams, keeps the airflow closer to the cab and reduces turbulence. Apart from the narrower hood, it is the restyled bumper that contributes to the truck’s ability to cheat the wind. And, without altering the approach angle or the ground clearance. The bumper flowing back under the chassis to guide airflow, the fully LED headlamps of the new T680 provide a crisp bright light. They have a built-in infrared heater to quickly clear ice and snow and include signature daytime running lamps and turn signals. The new LED side turn indicators offer increased visibility to surrounding traffic. The steps into the cab redesigned too with a more stair-like entry to aid aerodynamics, the new truck profits from innovative technologies such as a 15inch digital display, Next Gen SmartWheel and other advanced driver assistance systems. The 15-inch digital display, standard on the Next Generation T680, is the largest standard factory COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

INTERNATIONAL

display available in any North American truck to date. Its design is easily adjustable to enable drivers to match their preferences, while also automatically displaying critical content. Drivers, mentioned a Kenworth source, can control the digital display with intuitive controls on the new standard Kenworth SmartWheel. The SmartWheel also puts cruise control and radio functions at the driver’s ﬁngertips. The new digital instrumentation system, at the other end, allows seamless viewing selection between two minimised views, basic view, maximised view and even a driver customisable favourites’ view. The digital display also offers advantages when the truck is parked. When the driver presses the exterior light self-test switch for example, the truck runs a full system check with the presentation of a quick analysis and summary of multiple systems status on the display. When a driver pulls in for the day and shuts the truck off, the screen transitions to a trip summary

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE March 2021 // www.commercialvehicle.in

INTERNATIONAL THE T680 LEGACY FLAGSHIP The new T680 truck with significant aerodynamic and other improvements that result in a six-per cent rise in fuel economy and service-ability draws from the already popular and successful T680. A classeight truck as per the American standards, the new T680 builds on the ‘Advantage’ model enhancement announced in 2014 with the promise of a five-per cent increase in fuel economy. As a flagship offering from Kenworth, the T680 has been a popular heavyduty tractor-head line-up in the North American market with regular upgrades to stay ahead of the competition. Made available with a special factoryinstalled aerodynamic package and an optimised powertrain combination of the Paccar MX-13 engine integrated with the Eaton Fuller Advantage 10-speed automated transmission, the T680 Advantage truck in 2014 was very well received. Displayed at the 2013 Mid-America Trucking Show, the truck with its fuel

view. It opted for, it could even provide a driver performance assessment report and coaching advice. A drive summary, which reports statistics on information such as average fuel economy, idle time, cruise control usage, as well as any potential mechanical issues, also presents itself at the end of a work day. Offering a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, and introducing lane keep assist and torque assisted steering as optional for the ﬁrst time, the new T680 uses camera input to identify when the truck is departing the lane and provides a ‘nudge’ to help keep centered in the lane. This feature requires Bendix Fusion and comes with torque assisted steering, which

economy benefits resonate turned out to be subject of much attention with fleets and owner operators looking to save money in fuel costs. Termed as a true game changer by Kenworth, the new T680, drawing from a series of improvements enacted to the flagship truck-line over the years, elevates the prospect of an efficient and reliable vehicle to a new level. The aerodynamic enhancement journey of the new T680 could be traced to the efforts that led to the upgrading of T600 in 2008 to T660. As part of the modernisation of its product line-up, Kenworth treated the T600 to a substantial revision to its aerodynamics, terming it as T660 thereafter. Arriving in 2013, the T680 marked the third-generation aerodynamic Kenworth conventional serving as a single replacement for the narrow-body T660 and the wide-body T700. For 2021, Kenworth has also introduced T680E as a truck powered by battery-electric powertrain.

provides additional torque to the steering column, thereby reducing driver fatigue. The T680 Next

Gen truck also includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, collision mitigation and side object detection. The cabin being projected

as ultimate home away from home, the new T680 could be had with a 80-degree swivel passenger seat. It could be had with a swivel table top too. With good use of noise insulating material and LED interior lighting, the new truck, it is clear, is designed to is designed to optimize performance in the line- haul, in pickup and delivery applications, and in regional haul operations too. Available in day cab, 40-inch, 52inch and 76-inch-sleeper cab conﬁgurations, the next generation Kenworth truck, with its improved chassis packaging, is an indication of how productivity gains in terms of market requirements are changing the face of trucking in North America. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE www.commercialvehicle.in // March 2021

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Articles inside

Kenworth T680 Next Gen

Volvo Trucks Electrification Strategy

Sany Excavator SY80C-9