Consistency in India Policies

Ms. Motwani highlighted the significance of maintaining the Make in India initiative without dilution. According to her, the government’s policies should remain steadfast to encourage local manufacturing, preventing a shift towards importing components, particularly from countries like China. The CEO emphasized that the industry has started investing in local manufacturing, and any policy reversal could disrupt this positive trend.

Consistent Policies for Long-term Competitiveness

Expressing concern over potential confusion in policies, Ms Motwani stressed the need for a long-term and consistent approach. She emphasized that policies, once established, should not undergo frequent changes. In the context of Tesla’s potential entry into the Indian market, she advocated for clear and unwavering policies, asserting that consistency is crucial for creating an environment where investors and manufacturers can operate with confidence.

Focusing on Make in India for Long-term Competitiveness

According to Ms. Motwani, India should prioritize the Make in India initiative to ensure long-term competitiveness. She warned against becoming a country heavily dependent on other nations for EV materials, stressing the importance of sustaining local manufacturing efforts. Consistent policies aligned with Make in India, she believes, are vital for building a robust and self-reliant EV industry in the country.

Incentives for Electric Vehicles

To sustain demand in the EV sector, Ms Motwani advocated for the continuation of incentives for purchasing electric vehicles for the next 3-5 years. She specifically proposed extending incentives to electric cars priced up to ₹20 lakh under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles (FAME) India scheme. This, she believes, will further encourage the adoption of EVs among the general public.

Proposal to Include Small Electric Cars in the FAME Scheme

FICCI, under Ms Motwani’s leadership, has recommended the inclusion of small electric cars in the FAME scheme. The proposal suggests offering incentives for private electric cars up to ₹20 lakh, acknowledging the growing interest among the public. Currently catering to public and commercial transport, the FAME India scheme could potentially support the expansion of incentives to privately owned electric cars, fostering a broader adoption of clean energy vehicles.

Continued Dialogue and Ecosystem Creation

Ms. Motwani urged for deeper inter-ministerial dialogue regarding the EV segment, emphasizing the need for task forces to plan the next five years of ecosystem creation. She highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration to ensure sustained demand momentum and the development of a comprehensive ecosystem.

Conclusion

As the electric vehicle sector in India continues to evolve, the insights shared by Sulajja Firodia Motwani underscore the critical need for consistent policies, incentives, and a collaborative approach. By focusing on Make in India, extending incentives, and actively involving all stakeholders, the Indian government can create a conducive environment for the sustainable growth of the electric vehicle industry.