PM flagged off the “e VITARA”, Suzuki’s first Made-in-India global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) which will be exported to more than one hundred countries.

• PM also inaugurated local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant in Gujarat. 
  • This ensures that over 80% of battery value will now be manufactured within India.

About Battery Electric Vehicles

• These run entirely on a battery-powered electric drivetrain, which can be charged by plugging into the electricity grid.
  • Main Components of BEV: Electric motor, Inverter, Battery, Control Module, Drive train etc.
  • Working Principle: The power for the electric motor is converted from the DC Battery to AC.

Challenges

• Operational Issues: Such as limited driving range, and inadequate charging infrastructure 
• High upfront costs For EVs:  E.g. Batteries constitute almost 40 % of the capital cost of an EV.
• Lack of adequate awareness: Regarding EV performance among public and private stakeholders 
• Environmental Concerns: About battery waste, reuse or recycling processes.
• Stressed existing electrical grids: Due to Increased EV charging demand.

Steps Needed

• Finance: 
  • Decoupling the cost of the battery from the cost of the vehicle e.g. through leasing batteries.
  • Design and operationalize a blended fund that helps bring down the cost of capital for e-Trucks and e-Buses
• Scaling R&D on new battery technologies: to secure lower battery prices, higher energy density and reduced dependence on imported rare earth minerals.
• Strategic scaling of charging infrastructure: after due assessment of their viability at different locations