www.commercialvehicle.in /commercialvehicle @CVmagazine @cvmagazine/cvmagazineindia /commercialvehicle.in t.me/cvmagazine ` 120 Optimised HVAC Solutions Transport for India Volume 16 Issue 12 • September 2022 Operators Demand Greater Recognition | Prawaas 3.0
www.commercialvehicle.in www.commercialvehicle.in Volume 16 Issue 05 • February 2022 ` 120 /commercialvehicle @CVmagazine @cvmagazine /cvmagazineindia /commercialvehicle.inBuilding The Scrappage Ecosystem | Fuels To Attain SDGs Entries Now Open! AWARD t.me/cvmagazine Tabled For Long-Term Hilux For Commercial Use 2022septemberCV Pay ` 3,000 for 3 years subscription Pay ` 1099 for 1 year subscription and save ` 1320 on the cover price and save ` 341 on the cover price Your Details (All detAils in cApitAl letters) Name: mr/ms occupation Date of birth Cityaddress state pincode pemailhone (off) mobile phone (off) Kindly draw the Cheque/DD/po in favor of NeXt GeN publisHiNG pVt ltD. (please add rs. 20/- extra for outstation cheque) please Find enclosed Cheque/DD no. Dated bank branch Name Date signature please complete the order form and mail it to us at Next Gen publishing pvt. ltd., 608, trade World, 6th floor, C wing, Kamala mills Compound, senapati bapat marg, lower parel (W), mumbai - 400013. For clarifications, email: subscriptions@nextgenpublishing.net or call +91 9321546598 TERMS AND CONDITIONS: please allow 4-5 weeks for processing of your subscription. Copies will be sent by ordinary post only. Next Gen publishing will not be responsible for postal delay, transit loses or mutilation of copies. No cancellation of subscriptions will be entertained after commencement of subscription. please mention your name and address on the reverse of your DD/Cheque. all disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts in mumbai only. TO SUBSCRIBE Why would you subscribe to Commercial Vehicle? Here are Really Reasons!Good 1 2 3Online Call Post Visit http://secure.nextgenpublishing.in/at +91 9321546598 next Gen publishing pvt. ltd., 608, trade World, 6th floor, c wing, Kamala Mills compound, senapati Bapat Marg, lower parel (W), Mumbai - 400013. T HR ee e asy Ways T O s UB s CRIB e DelivereD free to your Door Save up to 25% on cover price never miSS an iSSue again anD moSt important of all, a SeriouSly gooD quality magazine... 44213 International rate - 1 year USD 135 by air mail post electronic payment may be made with RTGS/NEFT to current account number 00602320009684 maintained with HDFC bank manekji Wadia bldg. Ground Floor, Nanik motwani marg, Fort, mumbai - 400001, maharashtra with iFsC code HDFC0000060 OR
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Cyrus’ sudden demise is a big loss to the Shapoorji Pallonji family, Group and all of us. We pray to the almighty that his soul rests in eternal peace.
A civil engineer from Imperial College, London and a management graduate from the London Business School, Cyrus used his education along with his entrepreneurial mindset to help the Shapoorji Pallonji Group reach new heights in the engineering, construction and asset development businesses.
mentor & Special advisor Hoshang S. Billimoria general manager South Girish Shet
The Bo TT omline
Cyrus kept a low profile like other members of his family. Although introverted, he was a humble, simple and kind individual and a very patient listener. Approachable to all, Cyrus was known for his ethics and integrity. Above all, he was a fine human being.
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T he industry is of the belief that an estimated 15 per cent price differential between CNG and diesel (In Mumbai CNG is priced at Rs.80 per Kg and Diesel is priced at Rs.94.27 per litre) will make a compelling case for operators to consider purchasing CNG vehicles. Manufacturers are pushing products into the market with claims of their products offering a savings of approximately rupees five lakhs over a four year period as one example. They are backing these claims with attractive financial schemes and low-interest rates. On the performance side, the focus is also on offering an inter-city range with higher-capacity CNG tanks. This they claim will reduce the need for frequent fills. Today, mini trucks are claiming to offer 400 kilometres on a single fill with dual CNG tanks; medium range up to 700 kilometres; heavier vehicles up to a 1500 kms range. A recent launch of CNG on a multi-axle truck and in the M&HCV range has also presented a new opportunity. With LNG also thrown into the mix, two OEMs have driven in LNG trucks with a claimed range of up to 1500 kilometres. LNG is denser and claimed to have a 2.5-3X fuel carrying capacity compared to CNG. But there are other factors like safety, ease of handling and infrastructural availability to be considered. In the near term, apprehensions around safety, rising TCO and geopolitical tensions will continue to influence the choices. Over the long term, a gas-based economy influencing industry choices looks inevitable. .
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All of us at NGPPL are deeply grieved and shocked to record the sudden and untimely demise of our dear and respected Cyrus Pallonji Mistry in an unfortunate road accident.
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Write to us at cvonline@nextgenpublishing.net with your feedback and suggestions or visit us at www.commercialvehicle.in to access the digital first content. YoUrVoiCe ToturnSubscribetopage 04 Cover s T ory05 THE BOTTOMLINE Ashish Bhatia 08 NEWS RBI rate hike Draft policy paper for ‘Uber of buses’ Trouble for Delhi state government? Indigenious defence equipment TN amends motor vehicles act BEST looks at inducting green hydrogen buses BMTC I-Day bonanza Tummoc expands its services in multiple cities Ebuses in Nagpur fleet Rajkot gets first ebus depot Tata Motors bags ebus order Mahindra Advanced Design Europe DICV inaugrates second RTC Tata Motors and SBI partner E:swap Station by HPCL and HEID NueGo premium intercity ebus service Porter and GoMechanic partner New Lith Pwr Mobility lineup CEAT tyres for ebuses New appointment at CASE New ACE contract in Ghana Japan pushes for green mobility Münich orders new MAN Lion City buses Ree automotive makes a debut CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in6 This monTh in Cv Transport for India: Switch Mobility has created a stir with its EV launches globally. Ashish Bhatia weighs in on the products with the potential to turn into mass modes of transportation for India. 28
Scan QR code to get started Step 1 : Open the Camera app or a QR Code scanning app Step 2 : Hold your device steady for 2-3 seconds pointing towards the adjoining QR Code Step 3 : A notification with a url will appear Step 4 : Click to visit the content as shown on the right hand side. CommerCial VehiCle www.commercialvehicle.in | September 2022 7 This monTh in Cv
The And
Opportunities: The global EV adoption gives a picture of ambitous followers, emerging EV markets and the starter nations. Operators Demand Greater Recognition | Prawaas 3.0: Prawaas 3.0 came back with its demand for greater recognition of operators. Optimised HVAC Solutions: ValeoMotherson is well known for its commercial HVAC solutions.243848 57 Plugged-In: Social Media Highlights.
Eluding Parity
CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in8 Bulletin
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated a preliminary inquiry to look into corruption allegations of corruption from the Centre in procurement of 1,000 low-floor buses by the Delhi government of NCT.
peaked in April 2022 is said to have been validated. While inflation has edged down, the persistence at elevated levels has warranted appropriate policy responses to anchor expectations going forward. The onset of the festival season should boost consumer demand, including rural.
On August 16, 2021, the CBI received a complaint of alleged corruption in the July 2019, March 2020 and June 2021 tendering and procurement process by Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). The Home Ministry had requested the CBI to look into the matter. Former Delhi LG, Anil Baijal ordered constitution of a three-member panel to look into the matter backed by support from Former Additional Secretary, Delhi government, Govind Mohan. The Delhi government is known to have asked for a clean chit in the matter. The enquiry has also questioned the appointment of DIMTS as the bid management consultant for this tender allegedly with an aim to facilitate wrongdoing. The matter of “corruption” in the Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) of the procurement by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) was raised by the BJP in Delhi Assembly in March 2022.
The Delhi government of NCT, Delhi released a draft policy paper on privatising intra-city bus transportation. As per the paper, private companies are to run air-conditioned electric and CNG buses in the National Capital Region (NCR). The draft paper by Delhi government comes after several technology companies have shown interest in starting bus services. The initiative is targeted to bring about a shift in the public transport sector with promotions of efficient premium bus services. Only electric and CNG buses can ply under the scheme initially after January 01, 2024. The bus routes and fare can be decided by the companies, who should have a fleet of at least 50 buses.
hike should be expected in the forthcoming policy announcements irrespective of the moderation in the inflation trajectory. The RBI has increased the repo rate in three quick successions by 140 bps. With inflation having eased 30 bps in July 2022 over June 2022, the opinion that inflation
RBI rate hike
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) drew attention to inflation as a key concern for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members. Suman Chowdhury, Chief Analytical Officer, Acuite Ratings & Research, said, “MPC minutes indicate that an another 50-60 basis points (bps) of a rate
Draft policy paper for ‘Uber of buses’ Trouble for governmentDelhiofNCT?
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BEST looks at inducting green hydrogen buses
TN vehiclesmotoramendsact
Indigenious defence equipment
The Tamil Nadu amendment of the motor vehicles act has given a provision which could lead to the arrest of any one who is found guilty of a misconduct against women commuters on board a bus. The act rules apply to whistling, obscene gestures, and sexual overtures against women under the category of crime in the state. Under the act, the bus conductor will have to alight any male passenger or hand him over to a police station if he misbehaves with a woman en route the journey. Conductors who behave inappropriately against women will also receive stringent punishment under the rule of law. The rules also direct the conductor to maintain a complaint book for passenger grievanaces. This complaint book has to be produced before a motor vehicle authority or to the police when need be.
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has proposed to convert around 220 diesel-run buses in Mumbai to green hydrogen. The latter is fuel produced with electrolysis of water, a low-carbon emitting source of power generation. The pilot project is planned with the Ministry of Transport. “BEST wants to explore similar technology and get rid of all polluting buses in its own fleet,” shared Lokesh Chandra, BEST General Manager. He added that the STU will have a fleet consisting of 100 per cent green energy buses by the end of 2023. The idea supposedly stemmed from Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari, who at a recent BEST event, mentioned that his private car runs on green hydrogen power. The Toyota Mirai Gadkari owns is India’s first Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) and can reportedly travel 600 kms on a full tank.
CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in10 Bulletin
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has handed over a wide range of indigenous military equipment and systems to the Indian Army in New Delhi. These include unmanned aerial systems and quick reaction fighting vehicles to increase its combat capabilities especially in eastern Ladakh. This comes against the backdrop of geo-political tensions with China. The Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle (Medium) facilitates quick deployment of troops and will enable much faster reaction. The vehicles have been procured from Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. These are tailor made vehicles with
high mobility, enhanced firepower and protection. The Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicle (IPMV) and assault boats are among the state-of-the-art equipment which were virtually handed over to respond to any challenge in a befitting manner along the borders. IPMV is aimed at providing mobility and greater protection to a large number of infantry soldiers posted at the Northern Borders. It has been made by M/s Tata Advanced Systems Ltd.. An upgraded sights system for tanks and advanced thermal imagers were among the equipment as well. The
Multi-Modal Public Transport App, Tummoc went live in six different cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Lucknow, Kochi and Jaipur over the last two months. Currently, the app is witnessing a footfall of over 40,000 daily active users from these cities and from Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad where it was launched prior. Furthermore, in Bangalore, Tummoc offers digital BMTC bus passes. On expanding services, Hiranmay Mallick, Co-founder and CEO at Tummoc said ”Each of these cities has a high number of daily commuters. Our services will help in saving the time of regular commuters by making ticket booking easy and affordable. We are getting a positive response from these cities and our user base has jumped up significantly.” Mallick shared how the company was planning to add a total of 30 cities by the end of the year.
Tummoc expands its services in multiple cities
hadPeopleBengaluru.service25celebrate(BMTC)CorporationTransportationtoyearsofinaccess
Civilians of Bengaluru had access to all the buses within the city limits on August 15, 2022. This included access to air-conditioned and customised Volvo fleet of buses. A total of 61,47,323 people availed the free bus rides offered by Bengaluru Metropolitan
CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in12 Bulletin
to all the buses within the city limits on Independence Day. “A total of 5,051 buses were operated on August 15. The daily average for the month of August is estimated to be 28 lakh passengers (till August 14) as per the official BMTC statement.
BMTC I-Day bonanza
Ebuses in Nagpur fleet
On the occasion of Amrit Mahotsav Independence Day, 17 electric buses and a digital bus service under the special facilities were provided by ‘Aapli Bus’ for the citizens of Nagpur. Inaugurated at the hands of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Nagpur Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnanji B, MLA Vikas Kumbhare and other dignitaries marked their presence. On this occasion, Gadkari also traveled from the Zero Mile Chowk to GPO Chowk in the city. The new fleet will consist of a nine metre ebus from Olectra Greentech Ltd. Additionally, the Chalo bus card was launched too.
Tata Motors has already received orders for 1,500 electric buses from Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and 1,180 electric buses from West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) in the past one month.
PMI Electro Mobility drew attention to Rajkot emerging as one of the leaders in embracing electric mobility in Gujarat. “We already have electric buses running in the city and our recently inaugurated electric bus depot will act as a support system to efficaciously develop electric public transportation system in Rajkot,” he mentioned. PMI was awarded LoA last month to supply the Rajkot Municipal Corporation with 100 additional electric buses.
Mahindra & Mahindra Mahindra,theOxfordshireatInauguratedEuropeAdvancedMahindraofnewinauguratedhasitsdesigncentreexcellence,Design(M.A.D.E).Banbury,inUKbyAnandChairman,
Mahindra Group, the new state-of-theart EV design studio will serve as the conceptual hotbed for the company’s portfolio of EV products. M.A.D.E forms a part of the Mahindra Global Design Network which also includes the Mahindra India Design Studio, Mumbai. M.A.D.E also shares the campus with the Mahindra Formula E team. Equipped with state-of-the-art design tools, the studio is capable of handling end-to-end design activities including conceptualisation, 3D digital and physical modelling, Class-A surfacing, digital visualisation and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) design. It also incorporates a complete digital visualisation suite, clay modelling studio, VR digital modelling and digital as well as physical presentation areas. Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group said, “Mahindra Advanced Design Europe is another vital node in our neural network of innovation. In 15 short months, their work has already laid the blueprint for an electrifying future.” M.A.D.E has made quite the first impressions with its INGLO, a modular electric, skateboard platform.
Tata Motors bags ebus order
CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in14 Bulletin
Tata Motors, announced that it has received an order from Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) for 921 ebuses. Mahua Acharya, Managing Director and Cheif Executive Officer Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL). said, “This is a yet another significant milestone in the electric bus journey we are on. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Government of Karnataka and BMTC for their commitment and to Tata Motors for their collaboration.” According to the contract, Tata Motors will supply, operate, and maintain 12-metre electric buses for a period of 12 years under the larger tender by CESL. The Tata Starbus is an indigenously developed vehicle with superior design and best-in-class features designed for environmentally friendly and comfortable transportation. Speaking at the occasion, Rohit Srivastava, Vice President, Product Line – Buses, Tata Motors said, “ We are confident that these environment-friendly electric buses will be beneficial for the residents of Bengaluru.”
PMI Electro Mobility, India’s leading manufacturer of electric commercial vehicles, has established Rajkot’s first electric bus depot. The depot, which covers an area of 17,000 square metres has been developed by the company over a period of 11 months and claimed to feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, ranging from DC fast chargers to service bays. With this, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) has nearly 50 ebuses running on the BRTS corridor, in Rajkot. Speaking on the occasion, Anurag Aggarwal, Director,
Rajkot gets first ebus depot
Mahindra Advanced Design Europe
Tata Motors and SBI partner e:swap by HPCL and HEID
Tata Motors has joined hands with State Bank of India (SBI) to offer Electronic Dealer Finance solution (e-DFS) to its authorised passenger EV dealers. Commenting on the rollout of this finance scheme, Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. said, “To ensure we have faster EV adoption in the country, it is very important to have a strong network and empowered channel partners”. Speaking of this partnership, Dinesh Khara, Chairman, SBI said, “We are delighted to enter into this agreement with Tata Motors as this gives us an opportunity to deepen our longstanding partnership in the dealer finance programme.” It also offers us the satisfaction of being able to contribute towards a greener tomorrow, as these lines of credit will be available for financing authorised dealers of Tata Motors’ Passenger Electric Vehicles, he stated.
Daimler India Commercial Vehicle (DICV) officially opened its new Regional Training Center (RTC) in Cuttack, Odisha. This RTC happens to be the second in India, and was established in collaboration with the Directorate of Technical Education and Training, Odisha, and PPS Trucking, Odisha to train ITI students, BharatBenz drivers, and dealership sales and service personel in India’s Eastern region. At BharatBenz Academy they are closely associated with quality, training programmes to ensure our personnel are reskilled, upskilled, and trained on a regular basis to carry out a variety of tasks. The inauguration was done by Subroto Bagchi - Honourable Chairman,
CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in16 Bulletin
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL), and Honda Power Pack Energy India Private Ltd. (HEID), a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda), launched their first e:swap Station at HPCL’s COMCO outlet on the old airport road, in Bengaluru. At present, this facility will only serve electric three wheelers. Commenting on the new venture, Sandeep Maheshwari, Executive Director Retail, HPCL said, “e:swap stations will make swapping batteries a breeze for erickshaws at Bengaluru. Swappable batteries address the key EV adoption issues such as high upfront costs, range anxiety and long charging time. While Honda brings best-in-class technology to e:swap, HPCL with its 20,000+ retail outlets is expected to ensure scalability and smooth operations.” Kiyoshi Ito, President and CMD, HEID, said that HEID would focus on three actions - expanding its battery swap network in Bengaluru, ensuring the reliable service with a highly integrated system monitoring every unique battery and exchanger, and supporting vehicle manufacturers who are developing EVs utilising the Honda Mobile Power Pack e.
Odisha Skill Development Authority in the presence of Reghu G., IAS - Director of Directorate of Technical Education and Training, Odisha.
DICV inaugrates second RTC
completed two lakh kilometres of road trails. Speaking on the occasion, Satish Mandhana, Director, GreenCell Mobility said,“NueGo aims to promote usage of sustainable public transportation with zero tailpipe emission on the inter-city routes.” NueGo will provide a holistic travel experience with its World Class electric coach services.
CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in18 Bulletin
New Lith Pwr Mobility lineup Porter GoMechanicand partner NueGo premium intercity ebus service
Porterhas partnered GoMechanic to provide logistical support to the company, ensuring smooth operations and enhanced customer experience.
NueGo announced the launch of its operations on the Bhopal-Indore route. The premium electric intercity coach services brand will deliver an easy booking experience, exceptional ride quality, and in-cabin experience for inter-city travellers while ensuring a safer and greener ride. NeuGo will offer services at a special introductory price of Rs. 349 per seat. NueGo services include live coach tracking, drop point geolocation, and in-coach CCTV monitoring. In traffic, these electric coaches can travel 250 kilometres on a single charge with the air conditioners turned on.
At present, Porter’s enterprise solution – Porter For Enterprise (PFE) – has been delivering its logistics services to GoMechanic in eight cities including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai helping the company in serving more than 25 lakh customers. PFE offers hyperlocal ondemand logistic support to businesses by presenting logistic solutions with vehicles including mini trucks, tempos, and bikes for bulk delivery and business parcels for small and medium enterprises. With this partnership, Porter has helped GoMechanic in delivering and moving spare parts across vendors, warehouses, and end-customers. As per company claims, by reducing the inefficiencies in its logistics system, GoMechanic has increased customer retention from seven per cent to 11 per cent – improving margins and lowering resource wastage.
In the months leading up to the launch of the services, these coaches have already
For three-wheeler EV operations in India, Thane-based Lith Pwr Mobility Pvt Ltd. has partnered with Tork Motors Pvt Ltd. and Honda Power Pack Energy India Pvt Ltd., a subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Japan. Tork Motors’ powertrain will power electric three-wheelers under this partnership, and Honda will provide the Battery as a Service (BaaS) swapping solution. Commercial operations for BaaS have begun, and the first stint in Bengaluru already has multiple swapping stations to help it run smoothly. On this occasion, Manish Agarwal, Founder of Lith Pwr stated, “With the support of our associate partners who have vast expertise and an experience in electric automotive, we are contributing to the nation building. Our mission is to provide eco-friendly rides for daily commutes in metro cities with zero downtime on a swappable battery pack.” In line with the NITI Aayog policies to promote battery swapping in India., the development is expxected to benefit the industry by allowing Tork and Honda to provide the most advanced technology and highest efficiency in the electric threewheeler segment.
appointedhasIndustrialofbrandIndia,EquipmentConstructionCASEaCNHSunil
New ACE contract in Ghana
Puri as its new Managing Director for India. He will be responsible for spearheading the operations and expanding the brand presence in the region. He brings along a rich experience having worked in various roles in the construction equipment industry and brings in wealth of knowledge and market understanding gained over a three decades long career. He has work at leading brands including Ingersoll Rand (I), Elgi Equipment, Revathi Equipment and Sandvik. He joins CASE India from Bridgestone India. Sunil Puri expressed, “It’s a privilege to be a part of CASE Construction Equipment, a global heavyweight in the construction equipment Industry.
New appointment at CEATCASE tyres for ebuses
per cent reduction in tyre noise as compared to regular tyres. The new Ceat Winenergy X3-R has an all-steel tubeless construction with a casing to cater to the high torque demand of electric buses. The use of technology such as EVST for better stiffness and tyre grip, FaF to dampen noise, and BRIC-T to resist tread buckling are noteworthy against the backdrop of new standards for tyre expected to come into effect from April 2023, in India.
Action Construction Equipment (ACE) has won a Rs.200 crore contract from Ghana for setting up of a manufacturing plant for tractors, backhoe loaders and agricultural implements. The manufacturing unit is expected to be completed by FY24 and will have a production capacity of 4500 tractors, 600 backhoes, 600 agricultural equipment and 300 tipping trailers annually. The country is primarily dependent upon agriculture and mining. Manufacturing industries are scarce in the country, with machinery and other equipment known to be imported. The new plant is expected to generate employment along with a direct bearing on import reduction. A company statement read, “From FY25 onwards, the revenue potential from the plant is anywhere between Rs.150- 400 crore based on the capacity that is being set up.”
CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in20 Bulletin
Ceat has launched its new EV range of tyres for electric buses. The company introduced the Ceat Winenergy X3-R tyres in two different size options – 295/80 R22.5 and 255/70 R22.5. The features of these EV tyres are claimed to have been tested for ride and handling, suited to the electric bus profile. According to the company’s official testing data, the new range of EV tyres deliver 30 per cent higher mileage; 30 per cent better rolling resistance, and 50
and Hino, as well as Toyota’s FC technology - to develop products that meet the performance and environmental requirements of light-duty trucks. It will be released in to the market by January 2023 and will be used by the partners at actual distribution sites in Fukushima Prefecture and Tokyo social implementation projects.
REE Automotive has announced P7B, a class3 delivery truck built on a P7 cab chassis. The new P7-B is part of a fleet of vehicles available to andevaluate,customersprospectivetotest,experience
the unique agility, performance, and design enabled by REE’s novel REEcorner x-by-wire technology. The prospective customers experienced the low step-in height designed for faster delivery times as well as reduced energy consumption due to better aerodynamics and efficient power management system of the P7 chassis architecture. Customers also experienced the agility and manouvreability afforded by REE’s all-wheel drive and all-wheel steer for vehicle control, leading to better handling and safety in adverse conditions. The driver-focused cabin is designed for optimal ergonomics and human-machine interface for maximum driver comfort, safety, and productivity. The P7-B aims to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to help facilitate the fleets’ transition to EVs. The P7 delivery truck targets a maximum speed of 75 mph (120 kmph), max range of 150 miles (241 km), up to 4,400 lbs (2,000 kg) payload, and Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR) of up to 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg). The configuration can be modified to best suit customer needs.
Stadtwerke München (SWM) in Germany has ordered 21 new MAN Lion’s City 18 E electric articulated buses for the Munich transportation company (MVG). The new buses will gradually enter service in the Bavarian state capital beginning of mid-2023. The MAN Lion City 18 E is all electric, capable of producing a power range of 267-320 kW with the new ebuses claimed to have a 250 kms range. The bus is powered by two central electric motors on the second and third axles. “We are pleased that we were able to convince with our submitted offer and that MVG has commissioned us with 21 further fully electric 18m city buses,” says Frank Krämer, Head of Bus Sales, MAN Truck & Bus Deutschland GmbH. All-electric Lion’s City 12 E has been in field trials at MVG since 2020.
CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in22 BulleTin | inTernATionAl
Japan pushes for green mobility
Toyota Motor Corporation, Hino Motors, Ltd., and Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) announced a collaboration to plan and develop light-duty Fuel Cell (FC) electric trucks for the mass market. The collaborative initiative is expected to contribute to the realisation of a hydrogen society as well as carbon neutrality by expanding on customer options given the increasing pull for hydrogen. The companies will also promote the market introduction and widespread use of FC electric trucks. On the path to carbon neutrality, various powertrain options, such as HEVs, BEVs, and FCEVs are available to meet customer demands. CJPT will be in charge of the joint development of mass-market light-duty FC electric trucks. The four companies will pool their resources - truck technology developed by Isuzu
Münich orders new MAN Lion City buses REE automotive debuts
and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems is catering to a wide spectrum. The company continues to optimise HVAC solutions for new and emerging segments like Electric Vehicles (EVs). The focus is also on light weighting and building dedicated cockpit-centric solutions in keeping with driver ergonomics and comfort requirements of operators. The solutions extend to incab purification as well as the conventional passenger compartment products in the form of roof-top fixtures. In recent times, special attention has been made to optimise solutions for people- and cargo-movers. Cyril Xavier, Chief Operating Officer at Valeo Motherson Thermal Commercial Vehicles India (formerly Spheros Motherson) has shared in the past how the company has planned for an extensive mix of products. The three key variants that VMTI is known to have planned years ago included a model that would be powered by the truck engine itself. The second product would be powered by a slave engine, and the third product would comprise of pipes to deep freeze the truck via an eutectic system for transporting frozen food. The new product range is a testimony to the company’s on
v
valeo-motherSon iS well known for itS commercial hvac SolutionS. prateek parDeShi lookS at how the company iS optimiSing theSe.
@Prateek2101 CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in24 Product Launch
aleo-Motherson, a leading manufacturer of Heating,commercialVentilation
Optimised HVAC Solutions
NEW HVAC RANGE
ground execution. It has won it accolades for an innovative and sustainable product strategy.
minibuses. The ‘Minisphere’ weighs only 38 kgs. Claimed to be one of the quickest HVAC units to install, the unit requires minimal labour and time making it ideally suited for retrofitting. Aimed
Cyril Xavier, Chief Operating Officer at Valeo Motherson Thermal Commercial Vehicles India (formerly Spheros Motherson)
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The new HVAC range from the company includes rooftop cooling units like the CC335E and CC165E. The CC335E launched for electric vehicles is a lightweight construction. The company with it has prioritised performance, and ease of installation while ensuring low energy consumption. This was achieved by a low unit weight which contributed to battery range maximisation. It features an intelligent variable control of up to 32 kW with a variable speed compressor. The compact design has an integrated compressor eliminating the need for refrigerant lines. This in turn aids in a better interface with bus bodybuilders and OEMs, for example.TheCC165E adds to the HVAC range. It is suited to electric mini- and mid-sized buses. The compliant design has been tailored to the requirements, and it boasts of higher airflow, reliability, thermal comfort, and ease of maintenance. The company has optimised energy efficiency through intelligent control of the compressor and electric fans and or blowers. It has also integrated a compressor to eliminate refrigerant hoses with an electric compressor and an integrated inverter. Both HVAC units are designed for use with the R407c refrigerant. The manufacturer also offers HVAC solutions for
A recipient of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme approval, Valeo India Pvt. Ltd. is increasingly localising its products. It is cutting its sub-assembly, and import dependence. Over 1000 units of HVAC systems have been sold in India and the Middle East till date as per company sources.
A new air purifying system called the UV-C Air Disinfection System (UV Purifier) helps filter the in-cabin air. With the growing demand for sterilisation in public transportation and private vehicles alike, the product, in a single airflow cycle, is claimed to eliminate more than 95 per cent of viruses (including Covid-19). The manufacturer claims that UV Purifier is a scientifically tested for UV technology. It weighs around 11.8 kgs.
IN CABIN AIR PuRIfICATION
the dashboard, the under floor, and the rear of the driver seat. The circulation air flap system and air diffuser flaps are both electrically powered.
kgs. The Frontbox with a brush blower (two-stage) or EC fan (infinitely variable or three-stage) comes with both horizontal and vertical mounting options. Furthermore, installation options include the centre of
In componentsaddition,like the ‘Front Box’ are intended for driver cabin air conditioning. Designed to be a lightweight construction with 100 per cent aluminium (housing and heat exchanger) for lower vehicle fuel/power consumption and corrosion protection, it weighs around 12
OCALISATION
at lowering the Total Cost of Operations (TCO), the unit is made available in 10 kW and 13 kW variants. It makes it apt for moderate climate zones as well as hotter terrains. The air outlet can be positioned both centrally or laterally. The design is claimed to aid in better aerodynamics with a minimum height of 184 mm. The Minisphere is compatible with the 1234yf refrigerant.
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CommerCial VeHiCle september 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in28 Cover sTory Transport for India Switch mobility haS createD a Stir with itS ev launcheS globally. ASHISH BHAtIA weighS in on the proDuctS with the potential to turn into maSS moDeS of tranSportation for inDia.
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induja Group company Ashok Leyland Ltd. with its subsidiary Switch Mobility Ltd. is on a quest for transforming the mobility landscape. The subsidiary company of the world’s fourth largest bus manufacturer has laid out a road map to launch zeroemission products like electric buses and electric Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) at affordable price points. The focus is also on offering the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in the Indian market with its commercial vehicle product range. Positioned as Ashok Leyland’s global arm for all green mobility solutions, the company’s road map has a clear focus on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in the product mix for the near-to-medium term. However, one can’t rule out
CommerCial VeHiCle www.commercialvehicle.in | september 2022 29 Cover sTory
the possibility of alternative green solutions to BEVs over the long-term either. In India, on a Year-To-Date (YTD) basis, the company has taken massive strides, in line as a testimony.
The EiV 22 is said to have been a pet project at the company.
Cover Story
Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, Switch Mobility India and Chief Operating Officer at Switch Mobility Ltd.
Following the inauguration of the Switch India Corporate Office in Chennai, the company followed through with the launch of the electric double-
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Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman at Hinduja Group of Companies (India)
EIV 22 fOR INDIA
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he reassured of the Hinduja Group’s commitment to greenDrawingimperiality.from the experience of successfully inducting a double-decker fleet into the Transport for London (Tfl) network, the company took upon the challenge of reviving Mumbai’s iconic double-decker bus in the electric guise. It launched the air-conditionednine-metre,EiV22in a near frenzy, to coincide with the 75th Independence Day celebrations amidst much fanfare. The EiV 22 is built in keeping with the modern-day Indian operator and passenger aspirations. The company is contracted to deliver 200 ebuses to BEST Undertaking over the next year. Of these, 50 buses would be delivered by the third quarter of the current Financial Year (Q3-FY2023). The commercialisation, however, involves several processes including homologation by certifying agencies like ARAI and setting up of the charging infrastructure to name a few. The buses could be inducted earlier if the processes are fasttracked with the backing of the government. The bus body, as per BEST officials, is being built by trusted partner Antony Garage Private Limited (AGPL) part of the Antony group known to have healthy relationships with customers, which includes State Transport Undertakings (STUs) like BEST, Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT), Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) and Accordingothers.toBabu, the EiV 22 is built on the same modular platform as the Switch EiV 12. The commercialisation of EiV 22 for Switch India is as momentous as it was many
decker, EiV 22 in Mumbai, in August 2022. The company at the behest of stakeholders in both the Central and the State government is said to have found both adulation and support for its proven solutions, doing public transport duties globally. This support came especially from key stakeholders and decision-making figures like Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. Having visited the company at its London facility, the Union Minister is said to have expressed a desire to have the buses ply in India, to the Hinduja Group and Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, Switch Mobility India and Chief Operating Officer at Switch Mobility Ltd. The decision to enter into a bilateral cooperation arrangement between the Transport for London (TfL) and the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on a wide
Nitin MoRTHUnionGadkari,Minister,India.
range of transport mobility solutions and associated activities in urban environments was taken during the same three-day official visit. It included the planning and delivery of mobility solutions including ticketing, passenger information, major project financing, maintenanceinfrastructurestrategies and behavioural change and public transport promotion. Switch India took it up as a challenge and saw through the development cycle leading to the buses being inducted into the stage carrier, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking much to the delight of the Union Minister. Gadkari thanked the Hinduja Group and Team Switch for fulfilling the promise made to him in line with the Government’s larger vision. He expressed, “There is a need to transform the country’s transport system, looking from a long-term perspective. With a focus on reforming urban transport, we are trying to build a low carbon footprint and high passenger density integrated Electric Vehicle (EV) mobility ecosystem. With growing consumer demand for greener transport solutions, the Government’s vision and policies aim to encourage higher adoption of electric vehicles.” Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman at Hinduja Group of Companies (India) hailed the introduction of the EiV 22 as the new era of electric and sustainable mobility solutions. He cited the efforts taken by the Union Minister, Niti Aaayog and Convergence Energy Services Ltd. terming them, forward-looking. Crediting BEST for being ahead of the curve,
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moons ago for the parent company Ashok Leyland. Back then, the latter pioneered the double-decker segment with the forward-controlled chassis fitted with a front-mounted engine. The popular Titan model was the base for future derivatives that are known to capture the imagination of
CommerCial VehiCle www.commercialvehicle.in | September 2022 33 Cover Story
generation after generation in the maximum city. It struck a chord with nearly four generations of commuters as a fair estimate. A testimony to the sentiments involved in the launch of the EiV 22! For us in the media, a trip to Ashok Leyland Towers, at Guindy, in Chennai is incomplete too without paying homage to the double-decker parked at the premise. It is reminiscent of the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s role in the city’s glorious past, a legacy that Switch India is hoping to build
According to a NITI Aayog and Boston Consulting Group joint study in 2018, India has ~1.2 buses per 1000 people, below
on and take to the next level. It’s also true that the maximum city grew in stature and found itself increasingly restrained by the rapid urban development. This led to the iconic double-decker nearing extinction with only a handful (~ 48 nearing end of life) plying in select pockets of the city. These will be gradually phased out by 2023 according to BEST officials, making room for the EiV 22 to take over the baton as an able substitute. The EiV 22 has been tweaked for the Indian market and marks a new chapter of public transportation in Mumbai. With it, Switch India, according to Babu is hoping to make public transportation in India more attractive than private modes of transport.
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In U.K. with a single trip priced at pound sterling 1.65, commuters can also opt for weekly, monthly and annual passes besides opting for integrated multi-modal transport trips. This is among the reasons known to have contributed to the doubledeckers being a popular mode of public transportation. In its agreement with BEST, the running cost of the EiV 22 has been optimised over the last one year on the energy utilisation and energy regeneration fronts. These will be especially higher in case of the double-decker. The company has also carefully worked out the battery pack size and number of chargers and charging cycle on its modular platform. A detailed study was carried out on the routes the bus will ply
EIV 22 DESIGN AND ARCHITECTuRE
developing nation benchmarks like 19 per cent in the U.K. where double-deckers are a popular choice. There is also a vast disparity between the adoption rate of states.
on including parameters like the brakethrough time. The agreement with BEST has the per kilometre running cost at Rs.56.4 per km after taking into account an Rs.66 lakh subsidy under the GCC model. Switch India plans to take the bus to other cities pan India too. It will also reach out to private bus fleet operators for their custom requirements in line with plans for deeper market penetration in the next phase of deployment.
The Switch EiV 22 has been designed, developed and manufactured in India from the Chennai plant with bodywork carried out in Mumbai. It is claimed to have been equipped with the latest technology, ultra-modern design, highest safety and best-in-class comfort features. Hailed as a significant achievement in terms of packaging, it is the world’s first semi-low floor, air-conditioned, electric double-decker bus in comparison to the low-floor Metrodecker EV suited to the U.K. It boasts of a wider door on the rear overhang and a rear staircase like in the yesteryear models but also makes room for a front ingress and egress in line compared to a front and central placement in the U.K. model of buses. Now that the engine is out, designers were able to make room for a staircase running behind the driver’s cockpit explained Babu, The double-decker makes use of a lightweight aluminium body construction and claims to offer a higher passengerto-weight ratio. This asserted Babu, has played a significant role in helping the company
During the tech walkthrough, he drew attention to the buses being 36 per cent efficient and offering 86 per cent higher
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A few, front row seats were found to have seat belts too in a welcome move. This will please passengers seeking apt modifications to match the ongoing talks of a renewed focus on occupant safety.
Ahead of the curve, Switch India is attempted interiors with carlike comfort to win customer patronage. Babu highlighted that the India specific bus occupy less road, terminal and depot floor space per seated passenger leading to a low carbon footprint replacing a stadium full of cars or offsetting 35 cars on the road.
carrying capacity than singledecker buses. This in effect would lead to 26 million litres of diesel saving and save 72-tonnes of CO2 emissions, he pointed out. He gave the example of Bengaluru where 70 per cent of the Switch buses run on Solar power-generated electricity to answer critics questioning the lack of clean power at source for EVs in India. “This is just the beginning,” he averred.Thearchitecture of the double-decker uses a 650 V system like in the Switch EiV 12 and the Switch e1. It draws power from a 231 kWh capacity, two-string, liquidcooled, higher-density NMC chemistry battery pack with a dual gun charging system enabling a slow and fast charge (50-90 minutes). It is claimed to have a range of up to 250 km for intra-city applications on a single charge. The battery pack is located under the floor with special attention paid to lowering the Centre of Gravity (CG). This is claimed to have made the ride quality
Seats are intentionally designed to use a lightweight cushion in contrast to global counterparts using a thicker cushion. The seat can be provided with optional USB charging ports. In the bus unveiled, the USB port was located underneath the seat which might make it inconvenient especially when the bus sets in motion.
enhance the competitive cost per kilometre, per passenger. The Switch double-decker can ferry nearly twice the number of seated passengers as a comparable single-decker bus. With a largely 2x2 seating layout configuration, the bus can ferry 66 seated passengers including the pilot. This was achieved with only an 18 per cent rise in the kerb weight, he informed.Thestyling is contemporary and interiors are designed to be feel-good, and roomier allowing for natural light to fall in through the all-around, generous glass work. The bus also features an emergency door complying with the latest safety standards. Compared to a heater in the U.K. counter part, in India, the air-conditioning duties are done by a JTAC HVAC unit installed at the rear interior panel of the bus. For example, there is an unit installed in the lower deck and controlled by the driver dash. It is selected to suit the hot climatic conditions to provide utmost passenger comfort.
Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer, Switch Mobility India and EiVEiVatSwitchHinduja,Ltd.atOperatingChiefOfficerSwitchMobilityandDheerajChairman,MobilityLtd.thelaunchofthe12lowfloorand12standard.
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company flagged off 75 units of EiV 12 in August 2022 as part of a total order book of 300 units. In its earnings call, confirmed Hinduja, that the total order book for the company stood at 600 units (including 200 EiV 22 units). On participating in the tender process of public transportation at STUs, averred Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Switch Mobility Ltd. that the company would pursue them but not at the cost of profitability. Most contracts signed by the company are on a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model with up to a 10 to 12year lease period wherein the company’s arm Ohm Global
If one were to look at the chronology, the Switch EiV 12 will be hailed as the first step for the company in realising its affordable zero-emission mobility strategy in India. The 12m low floor standard intracity and tarmac variant were launched in Chennai, in
June 2022. A testimony to the company’s capability to offer bespoke mobility solutions, the Battery Management System (BMS) is focused on energy density. The pack is claimed to be 30 per cent lighter and offers 4000 charge cycles enabling the company to offer an eight years warranty on the Li-Ion NMC pack. Modular batteries are said to increase the capacity per battery cell for the same weight. This translates to a higher range of kilometres. Up to 300 kms per day with a single charge, and up to 500 kms per day with dual gun fast charging. The electric drivetrains and batteries are calibrated to ensure superior efficiency with long battery life to deliver a lower TCO in the market.The bus fed off the bus segment’s revival post the two pandemic marred fiscals when the segment plummeted as a whole and was among the worst hit! The EiV 12 found first takers in Bengaluru Municipal Transport Corporation (BMTC) and is also learnt to have received interest from a leading airline for their ground fleet signalling an early market acceptance. For BMTC, the
The company, stated Babu, is also taking along supplier partners that have helped it meet the FAME II compliance requirements. For instance, the company has leveraged the India parts ecosystem and synergies with companies like Dana, a tier1 supplier known for drivetrain and e-propulsion systems. In July 2021, the two signed a strategic agreement. Turning into a strategic investor in Switch Mobility, it became the preferred supplier for electric drivetrain components for the company’s e-bus and EV commercial vehicle offering. Dana provides e-axles, gearboxes, motors, inverters, software and controls, and electronics cooling.
EIV 12 fOR INDIA
Mobility
more stable in comparison to the earlier ICE generation of double-deckers that Mumbaikars rode in.
environmentally friendly transport solutions while enhancing the overall customer experience.’’ With a presence in over 40 cities, Chalo will in turn deploy its consumer technology solutions such as the Chalo App and the Chalo Card, offering conveniences such as live bus tracking, digital tickets, and travel plans. It will also facilitate route determination, frequency, schedules, and fares while Switch will account for the supply and maintenance of the electric buses. Going forward, he opined that Public Private Partnership (PPP) model would play a crucial role in buses. Here private players are expected to play a vital role.
CO2, and equivalent to planting more than 30,000 trees. Switch Mobility (Formerly Optare Plc), the Ashok Leyland subsidiary first secured its long-term growth when the parent company (Ashok Leyland), in July 2010, acquired a 26 per cent stake in the former. The deal back then was estimated to be valued at USD 7.5 million. Fast forward to 2017, the company raised its stake to 98.31 per cent. This was done through the conversion of loans intoAtequity.thattime around, they followed up a successful trial in York, with local operator First Leeds launching the trial of a new fully electric double-decker bus first unveiled in 2016. In 2018, the company further built on its aspirations to turn the subsidiary into a premier bus player in the U.K. At the same time, the company anticipated needs in overseas markets like Europe and India. In 2020, these aspirations led to the rebranding of Optare Plc as Switch Mobility Ltd. With its proven products like the Metrodecker EV, Metrocity for the U.K. market, and the recently launched Switch E1 for the European market in addition to the India-specific launches, the company has upped the ante. It has nine manufacturing facilities globally. The company also announced a new advanced manufacturing and technology centre in Valladolid, Spain. The company will utilise the global investment outlay to the tune of Pound sterling 300 mn. “Of the TIV of 44,000 buses in 2030, the company is looking at the opportunity presented by the EV adaption of 16,000 buses. It is expected to go only higher than projected at the going rate, concluded Babu.
PARTICIPATION IN TENDERS
Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Switch Mobility Ltd. asserted that the company would pursue them but not at the cost of profitability referring to aggressive bidding by OEMs in the case of bidding in the tendering process for STUs as one example. The company has also partnered with transport technology company Chalo. The two signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for an initial period of three years. Through a strategic collaboration, the two will deploy 5,000 state-of-the-art electric buses across India. The buses will be deployed across metros and other cities, which
eMobility as a Service AI DigitalpoweredTwin We use Big Data interactionsSmart Upgradableover-the-air
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Mobility transformed.
On the findings of the index (the study was first undertaken in 2018), Barnik Chitran Maitra, Managing Partner & Chief Executive Officer, India & South Asia, Arthur D. Little,
the spectrum, Mexico, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam and South Africa find themselves at the bottom of the pack as starter nations. Rajan Wadhera, Former President of Mahindra Automotive Sector and SIAM admits to the eluding parity between nations has India finding itself with a low, two per cent rate of adoption despite a heightened optimism. “It is largely due to a huge price differential with traditional engine counterparts and the absence
T
CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in38 Game ChanGer
@atashishbhatia
he global EV adoption continues to be “time displaced”. Every region has a different rate of adoption leading to Management Consulting firm, Arthur D. Little categorising them as ‘Ambitious Followers’, ‘Emerging EV Markets’ and ‘Starter Nations’ in the Global Electric Mobility Readiness Index - GEMRIX 2022. While Norway, China, Germany, Singapore and the UK lead the pack as ambitious followers at the top end of
the global ev aDoption giveS a picture of ambitiouS followerS, emerging ev marketS anD the Starter nationS. aShiSh bhatia lookS at the factorS Driving the eluDing parity between evS anD ice vehicleS anD opportunitieS.
The Eluding Parity And Opportunities
of adequate EV infrastructure in the country,” he opined. Stressing on the need to create indigenous solutions and support a domestic value chain, Wadhera backs India’s potential to become a global EV powerhouse led by the two-wheelers ecosystem and backed by suppliers.
OEMs themselves can look at
It is quintessential that all the stakeholder’s partner. Component suppliers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), power generation and distribution companies, the government and the customers must come together. On the product innovation front, the study suggests OEMs look at the bespoke model or shared architecture/platform across different powertrain units. Drawing from global success models, the trend suggests providing larger interiors with a lesser footprint and offering a lesser cabin intrusion citing an example of VW ID3. Notably, it calls for components to be shared with other vehicle manufacturers as is the arrangement with Mahindra and Ford using the Volkswagen MEB platform.
R E P O R T : 0 6 2 0 2 2 G L O B A L E L E C T R I C M O B I L I T Y R E A D I N E S S I N D E X G L O B A L E - M O B I L I T Y R E A D I N E S S D I S T R I B U T I O N CommerCial VehiCle www.commercialvehicle.in | September 2022 39 Game ChanGer
up quality”. On charging infrastructure playing a key role in the EV adoption in starter nations, attention was drawn to heavy investments required to build a robust DC charging infrastructure that can meet the fast charging requirements.
said, “While studying global EV markets, we found that market readiness and EV adoption are driven by different factors in different regions. In some markets, environmental friendliness is the key, while in others, the cost of the EV. Many countries, especially those in our starter group including India, primarily focus on cost and environmental concerns rank lower,” he shared. According to the findings, in India, 40 different types of vehicles are on offer largely comprising two- and three-wheelers in comparison with China offers 100 different models led by passenger cars. The report draws attention to competition in starter nations “growing significantly, driving prices down and pushing
report. The study pegs the EV adoption rate by 2030 for passenger vehicles at 10 per cent; three-wheelers at 95 per cent; two-wheelers at 35 per cent and commercial vehicles at 22 per cent. India remains one of the largest EV markets in Asia behind China and ahead of Japan.
By 2030, it is estimated that 30 per cent of the Total Industry Volume (TIV) of 10 mn units would be attributed to EVs led by two- and three-wheelers with passenger vehicles at five per cent. India is expected to feature among the top 10 EV markets, globally. The need of the hour is for private and government institutions to work hand-in-hand and remove the barriers. A coming together of this sort can propel India’s EV adoption rate to 50 per cent with more than 17 mn EV units sold by 2030. In effect, one in every 10 EVs sold globally will be from India. The Indian government has set itself a goal of attaining 30 per cent of EV penetration in cars; 70 per cent in commercial vehicles and 80 per cent in two- and three-wheelers backed by the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) as per the
PARTNERSHIPSSTAkEHOLDER
EV ADOPTION IN INDIA
The low EV adoption rate in India is also attributed to the recent safety and quality concerns with ~7000 recall in electric scooters alone. The alleged battery explosions due to overnight charging in cases are said to have made customers wary. With 100 per cent FDI permitted, collaborations like the one between Magnis Energy Technologies and public sector company Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) to set up a one to 30 GWh manufacturing capacity are deemed as a testimony to India attracting foreign players. This has also led to PE funds supporting domestic EV companies with robust technology and plan of action. Notably, investments in India’s EV space are pegged at 255 per cent higher in FY22 compared to FY21.
As of April 2022, there are limited EV options available, with just 17 car models and 25 two wheeler models in the market, compared to more than 200 ICE models available for cars and two wheelers, each Given the lack of EV penetration across income segments, consumers have been reluctant to purchase an EV as their primary mode of private transport, mostly opting for EVs as their second or third vehicle
1 6
While there is unanimous consent over the environmental benefits of operating an EV over an ICE vehicle, there are still serious environmental concerns over the battery manufacturing process EVs, however, are much cleaner for the environment over the long term, irrespective of how emission intensive the battery manufacturing process and energy grid is, according to British power company EDF Energy As technology advances, this will further change for the better In fact, an EV’s production emissions can be undone within the first 18 months of use, per a recent study
Lack India still peer sign ecos polic (suc and Hyu grow expe
Fig 10:
A R T H U R D L I T T L E
could reduce from the current eight per cent to more than 30 per cent by 2030 owing to battery manufacturing costreducing with the evolution of technology. If the estimates are right, owning an EV could be 30 per cent cheaper compared to ICE counterparts by 2025. For those criticising the intensive battery manufacturing and emission processes involved, the study claims that the production emissions can be undone in the first ~18 months of use. With evolution, better product design and energy capacity are expected to bring down costs and provide a more satisfactory experience for consumers. Liion cell manufacturing is also expected to evolve in stages, with phase one concentration on battery pack assembly, and manufacturing becoming more localised eventually.
As mentioned previously, 21 of the top 30 most polluted cities in the world are in India Hence, sustainable mobility is not just a choice, but will soon become a necessity This also presents a unique opportunity for EV manufacturers to highlight their eco friendly capabilities and align with the mindset of an environment conscious next generation
The Total Cost of Ownership
G
manufacturing key components like motors, batteries and chargers or source these from key suppliers. The two (OEMs and suppliers) must partner to ensure the security of supplies as they look to develop inhouse capabilities over the medium- to long-term. The two must invest in innovative startups too! While OEMs can provide charging and swapping solutions, they must invest in secondary offerings to help augment industry and drive economic growth. A centralised network of equipment and supplies was identified as extremely critical in preventing “stockouts”. Specialised dealers must come in for complex repairs with trained personnel for an efficient after-sales service to customers. Here component manufacturers mustn’t shy away from building capabilities. They must partner with international players, where the need is on technology transfers, states Mitra.
ADDRESSING SAfETy AND quALITy CONCERNS
dia have ue d Also, ted for an esign ainable h a for inter ble in the rs, which are barely used for inter city travel
As upfront cost gets lower, owning an EV is expected to become more than 30% cheaper in comparison to ICE counterparts by 2025
LOWERING ACquISITION COST
ble nations
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Limited availability of EV models
OEMs, which are heavily dependent on government subsidies at the moment, will also be motivated to improve existing margins In fact, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) team calculated the lifetime cost of every car model available in the global market and concluded that electric cars were always significantly cheaper than gas burning counterparts, largely because of fuel prices Given India’s dependence on oil imports and rising fuel prices, the government is further incentivized to make the shift to EVs sooner rather than later As the long term cost benefits become more evident to the price sensitive Indian consumer, the transition from ICE vehicles will become inevitable r o w i n g c l a m o u r f o r s u s t a i n a b l e m o b i l i t y s o l u t i o n s
The industry is closely watching the new prospects for various electronics and battery-related items, including controllers, capacitors, and so on. As per the study, component makers are recognising the importance of investing in EV component technology and capacity. It cites big investment announcements made by component players like Sundaram Fasteners, which announced a phase-wise investment plan of over Rs.100 crore over the next five years. Demand for required minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper and nickel is also expected to increase with changes in component requirements. The demand for aluminium, for instance, is predicted to increase by a factor of 14. Hindustan Copper, NALCO and HINDALCO are being deemed as change agents, providing novel alloys like steel-aluminium blends that will lower total costs.
A. GEMRIX is designed to define the readiness regarding EVs in a specific market from a customer’s point of view. Here each variable asks “what is the benefit for the customer?”. Therefore, for the supply side, we included variables like the number of available models in different categories and from the demand side the priorities of the customer like price, quality, innovation etc.
Speak to aShiSh bhatia on the global ev aDoption rateS, barrierS anD opportunitieS for SupplierS in the ecoSyStem.
q. With Norway at the highest readiness level, how do you compare the scores to large geographies like China and India?
Dr Andreas Schlosser, Partner, Global Head of Automotive, Germany
Arthur D. Little is fortunate enough to have offices with brilliant people all around the world. For GEMRIX, we involved two to three colleagues from each of the evaluated markets for the local research. Over two months, we collected roughly 1,000 specific data points that have been carefully validated and cross-checked as the quality of available data significantly varied between countries.
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Global EV Adoption
Industry Talk
in an inDuStry talk SeSSion, team arthur D. little compriSing of Dr anDreaS SchloSSer, partner, global heaD of automotive, germany, barnik chitran maitra, managing partner at arthur D. little inDia anD South aSia, anD fabian Sempf, principal arthur D. little inDia, local heaD of automotive practice
q. What was the scale of this massive A.exercise?
q. Does it cover the supply and demand side extensively?
Norway has a small sample size to begin with?
buying and for manufacturers to invest in. The incentives level the playground with the ICE industry that built carefully optimised ecosystems over many decades. You can think of government subsidies as a kind of kick starter. Once the EV ecosystem is running on a full scale, with lower production costs and well build infrastructure, incentives will not be needed anymore.
A. Again, incentives as required to kick-start the EV ecosystem. In our study, Norway reached a score of 116, with 100 marking the point where EV and ICE are equally beneficial for customers. This means that Norway could dial back on subsidising while EV still stays more beneficial for customers than ICE. Other countries will reach this point in the coming years as well.
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A. We see government incentives as a clear driver for EVs. The incentives help to bridge the gap to make an EV attractive for customers to think about
q. Are there some regions that are doing away with incentives?
A. We see a very similar development in all evaluated countries, however, time-displaced. The countries on the upper ranks in the evaluation started their journey toward EV already many years back. In particular, the introduction of government incentives plays a significant role in bringing EV costs down and driving public opinion more toward EVs. Norway for example, started such initiatives almost 20 years ago, which pays off now. Countries like India have just started on this journey but will see a similar uptake in the coming years.
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q. How do the ambitious nations compare to the starter nations in the report?
A. Generally, all metric are calculated relatively. For example, in the category charging infrastructure, we look at variables like “charge points per highway kilometre” or for innercity charging at “charge points per 1,000 population”. Our core target of measuring the benefit of an EV compared to ICE for the customer is rather independent of a country’s size. However, in larger countries like China, change is harder to implement as in smaller countries like Norway. We acknowledge this fact in our report by discussing the situation in each country with dependence on factors like the GDP and average income.
once the ev ecoSyStem iS running on a full Scale, with lower proDuction coStS anD well built infraStructure, incentiveS will not be neeDeD anymore.
q. How much of it is to do with Govt. interventions and incentivisation?
Barnik Chitran Maitra, Managing Partner at Arthur D. Little India and South Asia
q. Does the India fAME outlay compare well to global outlays in regions with a higher adoption rate?
A. Countries are at different levels of EV adoption and customer acceptance and accordingly, they are using different types of policies/incentives for furthering EV penetration. According to our Global EV report, India currently lags behind countries like Norway, China and Germany in terms of regulatory support for EV adoption. While India scores 14.47 in regulation, countries like Norway and China score above 20. However, we believe that subsidies will have to be timed thoughtfully and Indian government has been taking steps in the right direction. If you see a country like Norway is now starting to withdraw the subsidies provided earlier as EV adoption has picked up already.
CENTRAL ASIA NUR-SULTAN | 18-20 MAY 2023
TURKEY ISTANBUL | 2024
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NORTH AMERICA DETROIT | 04-07 FEB 2023 INDIA BENGALURU | 24-26 AUG 2023
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BUS, COACH AND PEOPLEPEOPLE
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ALL ABOUT BUS, COACH AND PEOPLEPEOPLE
ALL ABOUT BUS, COACH AND PEOPLEPEOPLE
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ALL ABOUT
q. A word on some of the pioneering companies (both OEMs and tier suppliers of emobility including startups) contributing to the adoption of EVs.
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harder. For example, the power grid in many areas is not capable of supporting large amounts of charge points simultaneously. Also, often times, especially in rural areas, the needed data connection to the charge points does not work reliably. Finally, to provide a country with a greener alternative for mobility, the needed energy would need to come from renewable energy sources. However, today over 70 per cent of India’s electric power comes from burning coal, oil or gas. So, to achieve the goal of greener mobility, the challenge in infrastructure goes well beyond building charge points.
the ambitiouS followerS will moSt likely reach the point in the next five to Seven yearS, in the Starter countrieS, it will take 10-15 yearS Still to reach equality between ev anD ice acroSS all SegmentS.
A. Globally, Tesla certainly is the first name that comes to mind. Tesla has not been the first to the EV game, but they have been the first to figure out how to scale EVs for passenger cars, not only in terms of production but also regarding marketing hype, which was important especially when Tesla started the Model S in 2012. In India, EV was pioneered by Reva already back in 2001. The car certainly had some drawbacks, but it started a public discussion on electric mobility. Despite the early start, the real uptake of EVs in India has to be credited to more recent start-ups, especially in the two-wheeler space. Companies like Ather and Ola Electric not only understand how to design electric vehicles that the customer wants to buy but also understand how to drive the hype about electric mobility, which is equally important. Companies are thinking holistically about not just offerings their vehicles but building the entire ecosystem of battery manufacturing and charging/ swapping either by themselves or with partners.
q. In the markets with higher adoption, is growth driven by PVs or CVs say public transportation? How do you see it playing out in the future?
A. In many of the countries in the ‘Starter’ category, especially in India, customers are very price sensitive. Historically, average prices of cars in Starter countries have been on the lower side and the offering in the lowprice segment is very strong. At the same time, there is no mass-production of electric vehicles and components in those countries so far. Combined, the price difference between EV and ICE is larger than in the countries of the ‘Ambitious Follower’ group. Also, additional benefits like environmental friendliness do not play such a significant role in Starter countries like with the Ambitious Followers. This means that government subsidies would need to bridge a quite significant gap to make EVs attractive to customers.Intermsof infrastructure, there is always the chicken-and-egg problem. As long as there are no vehicles, investing in infrastructure doesn’t make sense and the other way around. In the Starter countries, very often we see additional challenges in technology that make building infrastructure
toDay over 70 per cent of inDia’S electric power comeS from burning coal, oil or gaS. So, to achieve the goal of greener mobility, the challenge in infraStructure goeS well beyonD builDing charge
q. for starter nations like India/ Brazil what are the major challenges regarding cost and infra?
wpointS.heninner-city
tranSport reacheS Saturation, pvS are the next category to Drive change forwarDS.
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Fabian Sempf, Principal Arthur D. Little India, Local Head of Automotive Practice
even longer. We do not see a significant uptake before 2035. Also, alternative power trains like fuel cells are being explored for heavy commercial vehicles with long-haul requirements, by leading OEMs across the world.
A. Yes, India needs to build sustainable charging infrastructure to manage the higher load in the coming years. Given that DC charging provides a much faster-charging capacity, installing these chargers on highways can help in serving passenger as well as commercial EV vehicles. Although as per the current state, India needs to focus on building a smooth charging ecosystem where the government, power companies, OEMs, etc. can all help in providing reliable and affordable charging facilities to the end customers.
each oem haS a platform anD haS StanDarDiSeD itS partS with little inter operability wewellamanufacturerbetweenS.however,SthiSmoDelworkeDveryiniceformanyyearS,expectittocontinue.
Financing options are comparable for EVs and ICE vehicles. For electric
q. Is financing of EVs comparable to ICE vehicles? Any region that has got it A.right?
q. What would be the next tipping point in EV adoption and when do you see greater parity in different nations and the scales of adoption?
q. Are PE funds and investors fuelling this adoption with generous seeding rounds based on high valuations?
However, this is assuming a rather constant progression based on what we know today. Over the last years, we have seen the significant impact of events like the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine or a significant change in policy after a change of power. Such singular events, which are impossible to predict, can change the prediction completely and could lead to a much faster adaption of EV.
q. When do you expect India’s two- and three-wheeler winning run to extend to other segments? for example light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles including buses and trucks?
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A. Our study is designed exactly
q. Do you see India focusing on scaling up DC charging infra cited as quintessential?
A. VC funds and investors have been very bullish in the e-mobility space. For the last five-years funding for start-ups has been growing exponentially (just barring the pandemic year 2020) In fact in 2021, venture funding reached an all-time high of USD 444 mn across 25 transactions, despite the second Covid19 wave and extended lockdown. Investors are looking across the value chain. Along with OEMs like Ola Electric, Bounce etc., ecosystem players like battery manufacturers (e.g. Log9, Lohum) and changing infrastructure players (e.g. Magenta, ChargeZone) have raised large amounts from investors. Even the early-stage startups, across the value chain, have been able to raise seed capital with aggressive valuations. This will surely fuel the adoption of EVs as there will be more offerings in the market, more competition will lead to better products and price points for customers and a rapidly developing ecosystem will boost customer confidence in electric vehicles.
around the question of this tipping point. The key question is: When is EV equally beneficial as ICE? This is the point that we defined as a score of 100 in our study. As described, all countries are on the way toward reaching this goal, however, it will be faster for some and will take longer for others. The ambitious followers will most likely reach the point in the next five to seven years, in the starter countries, it will take 10-15 years still to reach equality between EV and ICE across all segments.
A. As described above, we see already today a significant shift towards EVs for inner-city transport (mainly buses and last-mile delivery commercial vehicles). Also with taxis, we will see a constantly rising EV adoption over the nextForyears.aprivate four-wheeler, some prerequisites need to be built up first. This includes a broader availability of EV PVs in the low-cost segment and more convenient charging (more and faster charge points). Even though interest and sales numbers of EV PVs will constantly grow over the upcoming years, we expect this to be slow over many years and just pick up significantly well beyond 2030.
A. In early market phases, big fleets are usually one of the main drivers. In China, for example, taxi fleets and buses. In European markets, corporate fleets are important. Transport and delivery fleets with high electrification targets for the next years (Amazon, Ikea, DHL). Also, public transport (Buses), some cities only buy electric buses looking forward. All kinds of large-scale inner-city fleets heavily profit from the advantages of EVs very early in a country’s transformation process and therefore pushing the conversion to EVs forward. However, when inner-city transport reaches saturation, PVs are the next category to drive change forwards. For longdistance commercial vehicles, ICE will prevail the longest. Even in Norway, we see that heavy-duty trucks are still almost fully driven by combustion engines.
For light commercial vehicles, adoption can be expected to be a bit faster than for heavy-duty vehicles. For heavy commercial vehicles and trucks, the story is the same, but it will take
Standardisation across manufacturers is especially needed regarding the charging technology. For PV, a small number of global standards exist, e.g. charging connector, and charging capacity, so that charge point operators can support all of them relatively easily. In other areas, especially for two-wheelers, many companies currently work with proprietary standards, completely sacrificing inter operability. This trend can be seen globally.
In terms of drivetrain components, the ecosystems seem to evolve very similar as we see in ICE. Each OEM has a platform and has standardised its parts with little inter operability between manufacturers. However, as this model worked very well in ICE for many years, we expect it to continue. We do not see a distinct difference between regions in terms of standardisation.
q. What is the adoption rate of renewable energy sources in regions with a higher EV adoption rate?
A. Not surprising, we see a correlation between a government’s interest in electric mobility and renewable energy. All of the top-scoring countries in GEMRIX are pushing renewable energy heavily. Norway for example sources a significant part of its energy from hydropower. Overall, Norway generates more than 50 per cent of its energy consumption from renewable sources. In Germany, for example, it’s approximately 20 per cent.
q. How mature is the after life handling in regions with a higher adoption rate? What can starter nations learn from them?
battery technology will likely See at leaSt one breakthrough in the next DecaDe in aDDition to the continuouS optimiSation of exiSting technologieS.
q. To sum up, growth and challenge areas for the adoption leaders, aggressive adopters and the starter nations alike?
A. As described, the EV journey is very similar in the different countries but time-displaced. However, countries like India face some additional challenges (need for strengthening the power grid, changing power production to more renewable energy sources or coping with the customers’ expectation of low prices). Still, we are confident that all countries will overcome the challenges eventually and will reach the point of equal benefit between EV and ICE.
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A. Battery cost is the largest contributor to the high cost of EVs. This is true not only for starter nations. At the same time, many companies around the world invest heavily to make battery technology more efficient and cheaper. For example, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries can be a solution to reduce cost in certain scenarios, which can be seen in China.Additionally, research in entirely new battery technologies, like saltwater batteries, for example, is at an all-time high. Battery technology will likely see at least one breakthrough in the next 10 years in addition to the continuous optimisation of existing technologies.However,as the demand for batteries will also rise significantly over the coming years, recycling will play a significant role. Generally, using recycled batteries could be cheaper
than sourcing raw material for new ones, if the ecosystem is optimised accordingly.Lastly,despite high battery prices, a parity can also come in as requirements for ICE will rise. In Europe, for example with the soon-tocome Euro VII standard, requirements will rise to a point where constructing ICE vehicles will get more expensive than EVs.
q. Do you see battery costs as a deterrent for starter nations? When do you see a level playing field coming in?
q. How do the regions compare when it comes to standardisation of the EV ecosystem including key drivetrain A.components?
scooters, nationalized banks as well smaller banks and NBFCs have tied up with OEMs for the financing of vehicles and are offering similar interest rates as ICE vehicles with 10-15 per cent down-payment required. For electric scooters, decent tenures as long as four years are being offered by some of the financiers. As there exists some concern about end-of-life residual value or resale value for an e-scooter, some of the OEMs are offerings assured buyback offers as well. Newer models like subscriptions and operating leases (in case of commercial use) are being implemented by EV OEMs and ecosystem players. We see in the market now that customers are concerned about the resale value of their ICE vehicles as EV adoption is picking up. Across most of the countries we studied in our global report, financing options for EVs are very similar to ICE vehicles.
A. Generally, there is almost no after life handling for EVs anywhere in the world due to the simple fact that even the first EVs sold on a larger scale are still good to go on roads for at least five to 10 years more. However, battery recycling already plays a significant role today, as, during battery production, many of the cells do not meet the quality standards and need to be recycled immediately. China is leading with the highest capacities for battery production and recycling likewise. Europe and the US are catching up quickly. Therefore, the key learning here is the need of scaling up production and recycling of batteries at the same time.
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fter a forced break, Prawaas 3.0 made a strong comeback. A testimony to this was 20,000 visitors descending at HITEX International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in Hyderabad. The third edition saw the convergence of private bus fleet operators and State Transport Undertaking (STUs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), busbody builders, witnessedrepresentation.andbodyIndiaCarIndustries,AffairsMinistryofproviders.andtechnologymanufacturers,componentsoftwareandcompanies,startupsvalue-addedserviceBackedbytheMinistryRoad,TransportandHighways,ofHousingandUrbanandMinistryofHeavyGovt.ofIndia,Bus&OperatorsConfederationof(BOCI),aNationalApexofBus&CarfleetownersoperatorsputupastrongThethirdeditionparticipationfrom
@Prateek2101 CommerCial VehiCle September 2022 | www.commercialvehicle.in48 Exhibition And ConfErEnCE
sustainable passenger mobility, the third edition hinted at a sense of urgency to align with new and emerging trends in the mobility industry. The transition from ICE to EVs was deemed inevitable. Jagdish Patankar, Executive Chairman, MM Active, Sci-Tech Communications, at Prawaas expressed a sigh of relief on being able to put together a physical event after 2019. “All major OEMs and a lot of technology companies across India have participated. In fact, we are happy to have received international interest this year. The third edition is an attempt to bring back the lost confidence of the transporters,” he expressed.
Reality CheCk
Aiming for safe, smart,
The current state of private transportation must be enhanced, and a few reality checks must be performed to gain a perspective on this side of the industry’s demands. Private
A
Operators Demand Greater Recognition Prawaas 3.0
over 100 plus exhibitors and key speakers from the ecosystem. Prasanna Patwardhan, President of BOCI and Chairman and Managing Director at Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions Ltd. set the tone of the event. He stated, “Private transport operators ferry more than 32 crore passengers daily. This is exponentially higher than airlines, railways and STUs put together. Yet, the sector has not received due recognition.” He drew attention to buses providing multi- pronged benefits. Decongesting urban metros, reducing the cost of commute and boosting tax revenue for the government were called out as a few of these. Citing the severe hit to domestic tourism during the peak lock downs of the pandemic, Patwardhan called upon the government to support the segment expected to benefit from better mobility solutions on offer from the OEMs.
prawaaS 3.0 came back with itS DemanD for greater recognition of operatorS. prateek parDeShi caught up with the StakeholDerS to gauge the Sentiment.
In the neighbouring countries where the population is almost similar to that of India, the bus penetration is almost 60 per 10,000 people. In comparison, India has a ratio of 12 buses per 10,000 people leaving an immense scope for growth.
travel, he lauded the efforts of MoRTH. Commenting on road infrastructure minister G Reddy, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern, Government Of India (GoI) mentioned, “Prior to 2014, India had 90,000 kms of National Highways (NH). With the present government, an additional 70,000 kms network has been added. He assured that the aim was to build global quality of NH by 2024. He thanked Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari for his vision and execution of building new roads under which the aim is to build 60 kms per day in the revisedIndiatarget.hasthe second-largest bus and coach market in the world. Prawaas 3.0 witnessed a coming together of all the stakeholders including OEMs. The pandemic, it was said, helped fast-track the development of new products. Special attention was paid to meeting operator needs who in turn looked at meeting commuter needs. Digitalisation and electric mobility were identified to be among the major focus areas to force recovery from the bus segment’s slump. “Customers, it was found, were concerned about the safety and higher quality and are open to paying a premium in exchange for the value additions deemed as the new normal. The tier2 and tier3 cities were called upon to prioritise the acquisition of highquality buses.
working on value-added services including e-ticketing. Manoj Agarwala, Senior Vice President, redBus, opined, “With 5G, we will require better network coverage and connectivity as we don’t need higher speeds beyond a point for the bundled services.”
He cited the growing traffic bottlenecks and called for support to decongest the densely populated urban metros, especially during peak hours. “A bus for an individual person occupies approximately 10 sq. ft. while a car occupies at least 100 sq. ft. Admitting to road expansion and road quality as major contributors to rapid and secure
Agarwala cautioned that the installation will be a long-drawn process and initially be limited to metropolitan areas.
Cost of ConGestion
With the 5G spectrum auctioned, and the rollout expected sooner than later, the stakeholders including technology companies are formulating a strategy for urban metros and tier regions. Companies like redBus, Abhibus, Chalo, Bitla, and Paytm Bus are
“For bus operators, no bankers are stepping in, whereas the STUs are supported by the World Bank, A. Afzal, General Secretary, BOCI,Thepointed.shiftto rear-engine buses was highlighted. Akash
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To fund the transition to public transport, especially the shift to EVs, stakeholders called for greater industrial funding.
It is no secret that India is densely populated. Urbanisation and traffic congestion are increasing at a rapid rate and public transport needs to catch up. Speaking on the cost of congestion, Rohit Shrivastava, VP and Head-Buses, Tata Motors, explained, “The cost of congestion is far too high accounting for an estimated USD 20 billion in four metros alone. Public transportation should be improved to draw a switch from private to public transportation.” Citing the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model as a crucial approach for the shift, he called upon stakeholders to execute such collaborations.
the 5G Rollout
bus fleet operators are known to own 17 lakh buses out of a total of 19 lakh buses plying in the country. They account for 92 per cent of the total bus fleet operational in India. In comparison, approximately 1.3 lakh buses belong to the State Transport Undertakings (STUs), with an additional 20,000 buses plying under the umbrella of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Roadways, railways, airways, and seaways all contribute to tourism transportation. It was unanimously agreed that the need of the hour is to offer an integrated transport solution with a special focus on people movers under the broader classification of roadPatwardhantransportation.cited key statistics to back this argument. All airlines handle a passenger load of six lakh on a daily basis. In comparison, railways and metros amass 2.6 crore passengers per day. Here, it is noteworthy, that STU-operated buses ferry a daily commuter load of 6.5 crore. That the private fleet operators ferry 32 crore commuters per day calls for equal if not greater recognition from the decisionmakers. Commenting on the bus and coach segment being a major contributor to tourism, Patwardhan, said, “For tourist places, pickup and drop points are not available and hence buses are forced to stop far away from the desired pickup stops. While private cars, he lamented, are allowed to go closer, in turn, discouraging commuters from boarding the relatively economical modes like buses.”
Exhibition
Raj Ratan Tours And Travels
East
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST)
West Favourite Bus Operator
redBus People’s Choice Awards Winner (STU) 2022 Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC)
Mahender Singh of Prawaas 3.0 - Gaddi-da-Sardar Tata Motors
West Favourite Bus Operator
Chartered Bus
South Favourite Bus Operator
Innovative display Abhi bus, Intangles, Valeo-Motherson PeoPle’s ChoiCe aWaRds WinneR 2022 Zone Award Winner
Dolphin Tours and Travels
Exhibitor awards: Interactive and Best managed redBus, Repos, VECV Content and Information JTAC, Autotrade, JBM
West Favourite Bus Operator
Go Tour Travels and Holidays
SVKDT Travels
The State of the Art Infrastructure for Public Transport Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation- Vadodara
West Favourite Bus Operator
redBus People’s Choice Awards Winner (STU) 2022 Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) redBus People’s Choice Awards Winner (STU) 2022 Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC)
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Orange Tours and Travel
South Favourite Bus Operator
Favourite Bus Operator
CateGoRy WinneR
Narmada Travels
Best Public Private Partnership Initiatives
South Favourite Bus Operator
Special award remembering
redBus People’s Choice Awards Winner (STU) 2022 Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)
Facilitating Public Transport through better Infrastructure Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC)
safety+ aWaRd WinneR 2022 Award Winner
Sustained Public Private Partnership
Category Winner
Laxmi Holidays
PeoPle’s ChoiCe aWaRds WinneR (stu) 2022 Award Winner
redBus Safety+ Award Winner 2022 Shyamoli Paribahan redBus Safety+ Award Winner 2022 Sangitam Travels redBus Safety+ Award Winner 2022 KMRL Kalaimakal
Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC)
And ConfErEnCE
Vehicle fitness is crucial to realising the shift to public transportation. Shekhar Channe, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, MSRTC drew attention to the fitness of the vehicles. He cited that the fitness certification process should be automated reducing human intervention at every stage. RTO officers are known to have their own limitations pertaining to certification. Here new Inspection Centre (INC) will play a key role. Once the centres are in place, fitness certifications can be offered at a quick pace. Issues like vehicle registration on a stateto-state basis and state tax were brought out at the forum with stakeholders asked to bring about improvements. Tirumala Rao, Managing Director at APSRTC, said, “Our STU is probably the first one to be entirely driven by the government.” This was cited as an example for greater Government intervention in other overlooked STUs across the country.
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The transport industry accounts for 15 per cent of pollution. Here, road transport contributes 90 per cent of the air pollution as per a statistic presented. As per India’s target of COP26, carbon neutrality by 2070 can be achieved by switching to electric mobility. Two- and three-wheelers, it was agreed, witnessed a speedier transition. They account for an estimated 15 per cent of the EV universe. “In India, we have CNG, gasoline, and biodiesel alternatives but Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Hydrogen are the options which will help us to conquer
ChallenGes in intRaCity tRaVel
Commenting on EVs deemed as the future of mobility, Passey was quick to stress the need to look at the source of power to make the value-chain green. A nonrenewable source of energy negates the whole electric drive. Gradually, in order to improve the future of public transportation, the government, OEMs, and fleet operators should collaborate on the common end objective. The transition to new technologies, in the short term, could drive up inflation.
The school bus industry is one of the most impacted segments of intra-city travel. After nearly two years of near-complete halt, the school bus industry is gaining traction with schools opening up. On school bus fitness certification, it was said that the need of the hour was to assess fitness by the on-road use of the vehicle in question against the age of the vehicle. A demand was raised for other vehicle segments as well given the rollout of the scrappage policy. Schools in the Northern region of India charge students for a year’s worth of tuition while only paying bus operators for ten months, said Harish Sabharwal. The safety of school buses was discussed further. The case study of young children sticking their necks out while the bus is in motion was raised. Solutions like metal grilles known to be in use were discussed. The use ability of seat belts for this age bracket was also touched upon. The susceptibility of CNG buses to fire was also discussed.
E-mobility also includes transportation of goods, and Vikash Mishra, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at MoEVing gave the example of his company’s transition to freight transport using EVs. He mentioned, “A typical lastmile delivery costs the company rupees one per kilometre using an EV while a diesel three-wheeler costs about five per kilometre resulting in a net saving of rupees four. He also highlighted the need to put in place better credit availability.
GReen VehiCles
Passey, President, Bus division, VE Commercial Vehicles said,” Apart from India and African markets almost all other global bus markets have shifted to the rear-engine drivetrains. The use of front-mounted engine is obsolete.”
VehiCle fitness
our aim of carbon neutrality,” mentioned Amit Bhatt, Managing Director at ICCT, he further added, “Even though electricity is generated from fossil fuels at source, EVs have efficient motors compared to ICE. As India switches to a new, renewable energy-powered grid, carbon emissions will be improved upon, he agreed.VikashSharda, Co-founder and Director, Spoctech Green Ventures Pvt. Ltd. pointed to a sustainable future that can be made possible by four priority measures. Longterm thinking, harmony with nature, circular flow of resources, and renewable sources of energy. A survey undertaken with the members of BOCI concluded that an estimated 60-65 per cent of the members were ready to hop on the ebus bandwagon. To accelerate this switch, addressing bottlenecks like higher initial acquisition costs, charging infrastructure, battery and range issues, lack of government support, and the lack of skilled technicians were cited as the need of the hour. Ravi Panga, Director and Chief Executive Officer at Caausis E-mobility Pvt. Ltd. said, “ All operators, stage carriers, and most importantly private fleet owners should step up to have a mass mobility shift.”
exPloRinG neW GetaWays
Aligning with the Prawaas 3.0 theme and to meet operator and mobilitypassengerneeds, Tata Motors launched next transportationlastdistancesustainablegeneration,longandmilemasssolutions.
BuildinG a neW fRameWoRk
After nearly two decades in the Indian coach industry, Volvo Buses India launched the The1000ofintercitylong-distancedesignedbuscoach,9600anewplatformfortravelmorethankilometres.VolvoEicher
Customers opt for products which provide good efficiency while carrying more passengers at once. Ashok Leyland displayed a new 13.5m bus chassis to meet this set of requirement. It also displayed the Oyster ZX bus. The BSV, four-cylinder, i-Gen6 engine powered 4x2 chassis is engineered for high speed intercity commute with larger saloon space. It offers 20 per cent additional passenger capacity (36 sleeper berths) against the 12m intercity chassis (30 sleeper berths), claimed to maximize per trip revenue. It can be offered in two seating configurations. A 2x2 layout, accommodating 52+D, and a 2x1 layout sufficient for 36+D (sleeper). The Oyster ZX comes with a seating capacity of 32-42 seats.
The Skyline Pro E 3012, its electric sibling offers a 32+D capacity with a 220 km range. The Eicher Pro 6019 S 13.5m chassis was introduced for customers of cowl.
a 2X2 configuration with 32+D, and a 2X2 variant in a 36+D configuration. The hIroi offers utility features like an independent reading lamp, USB charger, three-point seat belts, and an Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR). The Executive LX is made available in two seating layouts: the 2x1 and the 2x2. In case of 2x1, customers can opt for a 24+D+1 or a 26+D+1 configuration. These come with full recliners. The 2x2 is offered in a 35+D+1 or 37+D+1 with semi-recliners.
Commercial Vehicle (VECV) lineup included five commercial vehicles. In addition to the 13.5m Volvo 9600 the company also showcased the 12.4 m Intercity sleeper coach with a 2x1, 30+D configuration. The Skyline Pro 3010 L was positioned for staff and school bus services with its 36+D capacity
RedefininG luxuRy
It launched the Magna, a 13.5m luxury coach that has a front-mounted engine and wide berths for added comfort. Available with two seating arrangements 50+D and 36+D, each sleeping berth is six ft. long. For intra-city application, the Ultra electric 9/9 was pushed. The Starbus CNG was positioned for school and staffing duty cycles. A caravan based on an LP 712/45 chassis was quite the attraction. For midand last-mile service, the Winger 9S and Magic express were showcased. An in-house Tata engine, the five-litre Turbotronn suited for the LP 1618/53 chassis was also at display at the exhibition.
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Exhibition And ConfErEnCE
taRGetinG intRa-City aPPliCation SML Isuzu was 2x1threeavailableHiroiyear.showLXtheTheapplications.intra-cityfocusedprimarilyonbusHiroiandExecutivewereonthisTheismadeinlayouts:with22+D,
the ChanGinG faCe of aiRPoRt duty MG Group showcased the Columbus its Airport Handling Manual (AHM) 2021 compliant coach.
Airport duty cycles are more into travelling from the airport to the aircraft. Looking at fulfilling the role of a mass mobility option, MG Columbus offers a 71+D capacity (nine seating and 62 as standees). The bus is equipped with electronically controlled suspension (kneel) for ease of ingress and egress. At the heart of the coach is a six-cylinder, in-line BSVI engine producing a peak rated power of 218 hp at 2300 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a retarder. The bus has also been seen plying on Indore airport duty as a testimony to its acceptance.
uPGRadinG eV eCosystem as a Whole JBM showcased a nine-metre bus with a seating capacity of 37+D. The bus is offered in two configurations, a 2x2 and 2x1 (optional). Given the adequate length of the vehicle, the turning radius is relatively small, requiring a minimum of 20 metres. It is designed to take on congested and narrow city roads. The company also placed alongside the ‘Ecofuel’ charging tower, part of the overall sustainable e-mobility ecosystem. The tower offers dual charging connectors that can accommodate two buses at a time. Its application is targeted at the staff segment and STUs. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is known to have recently incorporated 97 new JBM buses in its fleet.
a ClusteR of PiCkuP tRuCks
Isuzu India has been offering a cluster of pickups for commercial use from the S-cab to Hi-lander. The Hi-lander was on display at Prawaas 3.0. The 4x2 pickup truck offers a payload carrying capacity of 225 kgs. It also serves as a people mover with its dual crew cab. The canopy, imported from Thailand, called “Carryboy” weighs around 100 kgs. With it, the Hilander can carry approximately one tonne of payload. At Prawaas 3.0, the vehicle was loaded with more than ten suitcases as a testimony. It draws power from a four-cylinder VGS turbo BSVI engine with a peak rated power of 163 hp at 3600 rpm.
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imPRoVinG BRakinG effiCienCy
An onboard cloud service from Mobileye, an Intel company, offers a thorough overview of fleet safety and productivity. The vehicle receives a full kit of Mobileye, since it avoids interfering with the wiring harness, it can be installed on new vehicles. These tools enable it to monitor driver’s performance, and safety analyses like collision avoidance. It also tracks fuel levels and theft using intangles digital twin technology with 98 per cent accuracy, make geofencing, tracking, and tracing simple, and more. Further, a predictive vehicle health tool, enables alerts for parameters such as engine cooling, battery charging, fuel-air metering, and perhaps other aspects. At Prawaas 3.0 a dashboard with all technologies was on display, while a screen in the front played an A/V the AI functioned giving alerts on the device.
With the recent announcement of Green castings developed with Volvo Trucks India, Brakes India Private Ltd. (Brakes India) has been at the forefront of leading new technology developments. The company showcased a diverse range of auto components including an air brake system, clutch booster, and an electromagnetic retarder. Fluids such as brake fluids, power steering fluids, and coolants were also on display. It showcased three retarder models: K70, HB1200, and BIK140. The numbers correspond to the maximum torque capability, increase in brake lining life for reducing downtime, increase in tyre and drum life, and improving driver’s drive ability. All retarders work on a four-step actuation depending upon the driver’s application.
Intel Corporation, a semiconductor company has come up with a solution helping the driver and fleet operators to access live data while in transit. Intel focused on Onboard Fleet Services, driver safety, and vehicle telematics to keep fleet operators notified 24 hours a day. According to Intel, fleet businesses can reduce efficiency losses by 50 per cent by helping commercial fleet drivers be safe and effective.
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a ViRtual Vision system
Dashboards have evolved from erstwhile wooden frames to FRP and now vacuum-formed components. Migma Packtron offers a complete solution, from concept to design to mass production. At Prawaas 3.0, the company displayed dashboards and door trims with a variety of cup holders of the same dimensions, manufactured using different materials. Depending on the needs, the vacuum form/process employs four types of plastics: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), High Impact Polystyrene Sheet (HIPS), and thermoplastic compounds. The manufacturing hub has a monthly capacity of producing components for over 2000 buses. The most recent advancement is a five-axis router and trimming robot that aids in the trimming of complex components. The product portfolio also includes dashboards, AC ducts, driver and emergency door trims, side panels, mudguards, and other accessories. Ashok Leyland, VECV, Volvo, Olectra, and JBM are among the company’s major clients.
neW aGe inteRioRs
Exhibition And ConfErEnCE
solution foR tRoPiCal CountRies Eberspächer Suetrak Bus Climate Control Systems
India Pvt. Ltd. (Eberspaecher) presented efficient and eco-friendly air conditioning systems for buses and coaches. At Prawaas 3.0, the manufacturer displayed two products under roof-mounted HVAC systems.For long and mid-size hybrid and batterypowered buses, a new AC135 AE all-electric air-conditioning system, as well as the fifth generation of the AC353 for coaches and intercity buses, are also available. V-toothed belts, climate control controls, various types of blowers, a demister, and a condenser are additional HVAC parts. The cooling and heating capacities of the AC135 AE’s various versions range from 30 kW to 40 kW. A well-designed heat exchanger and an optimised condenser are features of the AC3535. As a result, the AC system is more efficient and has significant weight, refrigerant (up to 15 Per cent), power, and fuel consumption reductions are achieved. Eberspaecher offers its Clean Air solutions to purify the air inside buses thoroughly. Particulate filters and a polarised media electronic air cleaner in the bus AC system remove contaminated water droplets from the air. UV-C LED modules are one strategy for eliminating viruses.
a PositiVe outlook
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BeatinG the heat With JtaC
Trans ACNR is the flagship company, owning JTAC in India. It showcased the SL206E and SLE 25028kW from the HVAC series. The SL denotes SnowLeopard. SL206E has a cooling capacity of six kilo Watt suited to various duty-cycles like that of caravans, driver cabins, and for vanity vans. The SLE 25028kW air conditioner is suitable for a nine metre electric bus. Solutions including an air purifier with an air quality display using a monitoring system, temperature, and TVOC are expected to find takers.
TKT Greentec Pvt. Ltd. a leader in HVAC system based out of China, displayed three models, the TKT-50ER, TKT-50ES, and TKT-260E. Nearly 500 units of the 260E, which was specially created for nine to 10m pure electric buses, were delivered this year. The unit measures 2700 mm in length, 1830 mm in width, and 250 mm in height. It has a cooling capacity of 26 kW. With 497 units sold in India across Pune, Dahward, and Delhi., the company has a positive outlook. The 50ES on show has a cooling capacity of 5000W and measures 728 mm in length, 522 mm in width, and 200 mm in height. it is designed for caravans, truck cabs, and other similar applications. The 50ER has a similar cooling capacity and use as the 50ES, but the difference between the two is that the condenser on the 50 ER is a two-piece unit, whereas the condenser on the 50 ES is a single unit. Additionally, the condenser airflow on 50ER is 2000 cu. m. per hr as opposed to 1500 cu. m. per hour on the 50ES.
a Relief to Bus oPeRatoRs Bitla Software Pvt. Ltd. one of the bus industry’s largest technology and solution providers, introduced GenX solutions. The Ticketsimply app allows users to book, cancel, or modify tickets while keeping them up to date on real-time passenger boarding status. The company has advanced to the point where all of the activities previously performed by the fleet operator on the system are now available at the touch of a button via a new app. Trackingo is a new app for tracking, halts, speed alerts, and communication with passengers via IVR. The shortroute app has complete cash flow visibility, preventing double seat bookings. A new accounting module for operators was also showcased for customers looking at optimising processes like handling cash, collection status, and cash flow in real-time. This module helps to avoid the hassle by providing customised access to financial details.
imPRoVinG tRansPoRtation teChnoloGy
Waiting for the bus in long busChalo,commuters.problembeenarriveactuallybuswhenknowingwithoutqueuesthewillhasaforatransportation
diGitisinG india
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CustomeR at the foRefRont Google Street View has boosted digitisation in India. According to Rahul Sharma, AVP of Product at Abhibus, customers are making their reservations digitally. Similarly, customers would also benefit from experiencing the options partners have to offer, including services provided, the rental vehicles and the selection of cars or buses, through virtual reality or 3D technology. He added that going cashless and being mobile have improved and changed the online experience in some ways. With the EV wave and available EV inter- and intra-city buses, having a charging infrastructure will be critical. Infrastructure must be improved while also accounting for the downtime required for charging and the hectic schedules of these fleet operators. He stated that Abhibus, in collaboration with APSRTC and TSRTC, has developed a unified ticketing solution system to integrate all critical systems into a single platform.
Since the inception of Prawaas back in 2017, redBus is associated with Prawaas as the curator of the “redBus People’s Choice Awards,” as well as a sponsor and exhibitor. At Prawaas, redBus displayed a bouquet of seller-side solutions and new Line of Business (LOBs) to appeal to a diverse range of bus operators. A new development called the revMax, our AI/ ML-powered dynamic pricing solution for bus operators could help to automate pricing and maximise revenue. Many fleet owners also inquired about “ryde,” new LOB for rental cabs, tempo travellers, and buses. RedBus’s recent offering, “rise,” a platform specifically designed to help bus operators improve their revenue and profitability by deploying industry best practices, allowing them to provide a superior customer experience, piqued the operators’ interest. With the industry rebounding postCovid-19, we have lined up a slew of exciting products and solutions that will help to accelerate industry growth and benefit the entire ecosystem.
technology firm lets commuters track their bus in real-time with the Chalo App and get digital bus tickets with the Chalo Card. A onestop shop for a comfortable and trouble-free travel experience. Commenting on the response to its solutions, Mohit Dubey, Co-founder and CEO, of Chalo said, ”As of today, over 2500 bus operators are using our technology across 40 cities and the number is growing by the day. Along our journey, we have also realised the importance of uplifting the quality of buses on our roads.” The company has partners OEMs like Switch Mobility india to deploy 5,000 ebuses starting with Mumbai and could partner new OEMs soon.
Exhibition And ConfErEnCE
Amegh Gopinath, New Delhi
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RamakrushnaPanda, Bhubaneshwar
Jupanjot Singh Ludhiana
Aniket Mhatre, Mumbai Faheem Shafi, Bangalore
Sanket Gandhi, Ahmadabad
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Mrinal Majumdar Cluster Trainer at Mahindra & Mahindra, raining Division
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VenueOrganiser 19 - 25 January 2023, Bengaluru, India International Machine Tool & Manufacturing Technology Exhibition For more information contact: Mr. Deepak Patil, Mob: +91 9892377080, Email: deepak@imtma.in Key Highlights Ÿ 5 Exhibition Halls Ÿ International Seminar on Machining Technologies Ÿ Aatmanirbhar Bharat Pavilion Ÿ Special Focus on 3D Printing and Industry 4.0 Ÿ Academia Pavilion Ÿ International Buyer and Seller Meet Largest Machine Tool and Manufacturing Technology Show in South and South-East Asia International Exhibition of Cutting Tools, Tooling Systems, Machine Tool Accessories, Metrology & CAD / CAM
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