Nitin Kumar, Surajeet Dasgupta &Amp; Anjali Singh

Stories by Nitin Kumar, Surajeet Dasgupta &Amp; Anjali Singh

EV sales zoom past 1 million in 2023

EV sales zoom past 1 million in 2023

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2023

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in India topped the 1 million mark in less than nine months in 2023, a milestone that took an entire year in 2022. According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Vahan Dashboard, 1,037,011 EVs were registered with regional transport offices till September 19, accounting for 6.4 per cent of the total automobile sales in the country this year. The sales surge can be attributed to increased individual purchases as well as business-to-business (B2B) acquisitions by EV fleet operators, industry sources said.

Heavy industries' ministry scraps human safety tests for EV batteries

Heavy industries' ministry scraps human safety tests for EV batteries

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2023

The Centre on Wednesday scrapped the mandatory human safety tests for electric vehicle (EV) batteries required to qualify for incentives under various government schemes. The ministry of heavy industries, in its fresh guidelines, has made compliance with the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH's) prevailing EV battery testing standards the only requirement to get incentives under the Centre's various incentive schemes.

US-based Coupang to set up tech centre in India

US-based Coupang to set up tech centre in India

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2023

Coupang, a prominent online retail giant headquartered in the United States (US), is gearing up to establish a cutting-edge technology centre in India, aiming to hire several dozen skilled professionals by the end of the year, Business Standard has learnt. The intended expansion involves the recruitment of software engineers across various domains, underscoring Coupang's commitment to extend its global reach. The Indian team will support the company's global technology team, sources said.

Centre releases first ever list of 30 critical minerals

Centre releases first ever list of 30 critical minerals

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2023

In a significant move to enhance its strategic resource security, India has officially released its first-ever critical minerals list, identifying 30 key critical minerals crucial to the nation's economic growth and technological development. This pioneering step aims at reducing import dependence, enhancing supply-chain resilience, and supporting the country's net-zero objectives. Union Minister Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi, while releasing the Critical Minerals for India report in New Delhi on Wednesday, said, "India is readying for an Atmanirbhar Bharat."

PM Modi's US visit: India's entry into critical mineral alliance on table

PM Modi's US visit: India's entry into critical mineral alliance on table

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US is expected to see discussion on India's possible entry into a US-led global alliance on critical minerals, officials told Business Standard. In June last year, the US, the European Union, and other G7 partners launched the Minerals Security Partnership to ensure that China did not further strengthen its grip on supplies of critical minerals the world over. Various ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, have communicated to the Ministry of External Affairs to explore the possibility of India joining the partnership, officials said.

Only 41% of EVs FAME II scheme target achieved

Only 41% of EVs FAME II scheme target achieved

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2023

As the government plans no further extension of the scheme beyond FY24, the task is to achieve the unfinished target of subsidising 914,707 EVs.

Lithium reserves found in Jammu and Kashmir put on bidding block

Lithium reserves found in Jammu and Kashmir put on bidding block

Rediff.com   3 May 2023

The central government is expected to complete the auction of the 5.9-million tonne (mt) lithium reserves discovered in the Reasi district of the northern Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) by the end of this calendar year, Union Mines Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj said on the sidelines of the launch of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) report on 'New-Age Energy Minerals' on Tuesday. "Auction will be over by the end of this year," said Bharadwaj, adding, "We have already recommended a transaction advisor to the J&K government for the auction of lithium reserves." However, the exact timeline for an auction will be decided by J&K authorities, Union mines minister Pralhad Joshi said in Parliament last month.

'Aim to make FAME scheme more transparent'

'Aim to make FAME scheme more transparent'

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2023

'The aim is also to probe how the ministry and testing agencies made negligence in examining these OEMs, so that such negligence is avoided in the future.'

Green mobility: CNG vehicle sales are up 82% in 5 yrs

Green mobility: CNG vehicle sales are up 82% in 5 yrs

Rediff.com   10 Apr 2023

Amid a shift in mobility trends and people increasingly opting for less polluting energy sources, sales of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles increased more than 82 per cent in the past five years. A total of 729,902 CNG vehicles were sold in 2022-23 against 400,825 in 2017-18, according to VAHAN Dashboard. Though the increase in sales of CNG-powered vehicles has been significant, their share in overall vehicle sales remains minuscule as is the case with EVs.

'I am not the target, my leader KCR is'

'I am not the target, my leader KCR is'

Rediff.com   23 Mar 2023

'He is exposing the failings of the BJP, which is rankling the party.'

EV dealers find that without FAME there's no fortune

EV dealers find that without FAME there's no fortune

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2023

Subsidies have been stopped for several manufacturers that are under investigation for alleged violations of local-sourcing rules.

India Lost 30 Tigers In 2 Months

India Lost 30 Tigers In 2 Months

Rediff.com   1 Mar 2023

This is the highest number of tiger deaths in three years.

Tata Motors bags India's largest electric vehicle fleet order from Uber

Tata Motors bags India's largest electric vehicle fleet order from Uber

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2023

Tata Motors, India's largest electric passenger vehicle manufacturer, has signed an agreement with ride-hailing company Uber to supply 25,000 electric vehicles (EVs), the company said. The agreement is the largest EV commitment between an automotive manufacturer and a ride-sharing platform in India. Under the agreement, Uber will deploy Tata Motors' XPRES-T EVs by partnering fleet operators in Delhi National Capital Region, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad.

Tata Motors bags largest EV fleet order from Uber

Tata Motors bags largest EV fleet order from Uber

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2023

Tata Motors, India's largest electric passenger vehicle manufacturer, has signed an agreement with ride-hailing company Uber to supply 25,000 electric vehicles (EVs), the company said. The agreement is the largest EV commitment between an automotive manufacturer and a ride-sharing platform in India. Under the agreement, Uber will deploy Tata Motors' XPRES-T EVs by partnering fleet operators in Delhi National Capital Region, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad.

EV makers seek extension of FAME II subsidies in Budget

EV makers seek extension of FAME II subsidies in Budget

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2023

as the FAME II deadline of March 31, 2024, nears, EV manufacturers are worried about their investments and future plans.

Unit sales power Ola Electric to profitability

Unit sales power Ola Electric to profitability

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2023

'Through volume numbers and unit sales one can see, we are not making a loss'

Not just EVs, new technologies a big draw at this year's auto expo

Not just EVs, new technologies a big draw at this year's auto expo

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2023

Innovation ranging from exterior designs of vehicles to EV charger locks grabbed eyeballs at the expo

Auto Expo 2023 Day 1: EVs Rule!

Auto Expo 2023 Day 1: EVs Rule!

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2023

Almost all of these companies either unveiled their new electric vehicle or alternative energy-powered models.

Big electric two-wheeler makers won't plug into motor show

Big electric two-wheeler makers won't plug into motor show

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2023

Even as India overtakes Japan in automotive sales in 2022, moving to third place for the first time, oddly enough the country's biggest motor show is going to see some big hitters give it a clear miss. Some prominent automotive brands have cited high event costs, negligible returns on investment, poor event management, and unfavourable location as reasons for their reluctance to participate. Major pure-play electric two-wheelers, too, are riding past this year's edition of the Auto Expo.

Joshimath Tourism Industry Stares At Sinking Fortunes

Joshimath Tourism Industry Stares At Sinking Fortunes

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2023

The tourism industry plays a vital role in the town, accounting for 70 per cent of its economy, according to experts.