Indian Electric cars Markets and Models - AutoMechanicaVikas

Hybrid Vehicles Market Surpassed Electric Vehicles: A Growth of 27%

September 12, 2024September 12, 2024 by vikas.sinha21

Introduction:

Hybrid Vehicles:

The hybrid Vehicles market in India is ahead of any other alternative fuel vehicles and surpasses electric vehicles. The popular model Toyota Innova Hycross and Grand Vitara Hybrid, are practical and eco-friendly options for customers and driving a surge in hybrid car sales.

Toyota has emerged as the largest hybrid electric vehicle brand in India.

Fig: Schematic diagram of Hybrid Vehicles

Toyota has emerged as the largest hybrid electric vehicle brand in India.

When the BEVs (battery-electric vehicles) face challenges in the market, the HEVs (Hybrid electric vehicles) are experiencing remarkable growth in India. The JATO Dynamics data says that the sale of hybrid cars increased by 27% from January to July 2024 and reached 51897 units as compared to the 40811 units during the same period last year. This surge highlights a growing acceptance of hybrid vehicles among Indian consumers.

The rise in hybrid vehicle sales is largely attributed to the popularity of strong hybrids, or HEVs, which saw a 27.1 percent increase in sales to 51,832 units from 40,773 units last year. Strong hybrids combine a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) with a battery-powered electric motor, allowing them to run on both petrol or diesel and electric power. Unlike mild hybrids, which use a smaller battery to assist with electrical components and provide a minor boost during acceleration, strong hybrids can operate solely on electric power. In addition to strong hybrids, mild hybrids also contributed to the growth in hybrid vehicle sales. When mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) are included, the total sales of hybrid vehicles reached 2,90,912 units in the first seven months of 2024, up 13 percent from 2,56,075 units in the same period last year.

Sales by Powertrain in India as Per JATO Dynamics Report:

Powertrain Type	January–July 2023	January–July 2024	Growth
Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles(ICEVs)	17,25,581	18,37,164	6.50%
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles(MHEVs)	2,15,264	2,39,015	11.00%
Battery Electric Vehicles(BEVs)	49,028	54,118	10.40%
Hybrid Electric Vehicles(HEVs)	40,773	51,832	27.10%
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles(PHEVs)	38	65	71.10%
Grand Total	20,30,684	21,82,193

Source: JATO Dynamic India

Advantages of hybrid Vehicles:

Several factors contribute to the increasing popularity of hybrid vehicles in India. The Managing Director of JATO Dynamics, Ravi Bhatia, explains that hybrids balance cost and eco-friendliness. “Hybrid cars are witnessing a major acceptance because of the lower initial cost than full EVs. While there are fuel efficiency benefits without range anxiety, these vehicles are compatible with existing infrastructure”.

Breakup of the passenger Vehicles PIE

Powertrain Share-India.

Powertrain Type	January–July 2023	January–July 2024	Change
Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles(ICEVs)	85%	84.02%	-0.80%
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles(MHEVs)	10.60%	11.00%	0.40%
Battery Electric Vehicles(BEVs)	2.40%	2.50%	0.10%
Hybrid Electric Vehicles(HEVs)	2.00%	2.40%	0.40%
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles(PHEVs)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Grand Total	100%	100%

Source: JATO Dynamic India

When asked why automakers are sharpening their focus on hybrids, Mr. Bhatia, M.D of JATO Dynamics, explained that there is a balance of eco-friendliness and practicality with hybrids, as, “There are fuel savings without complete dependence on electricity and also because of familiarity with traditional powertrains. Above all, there is a lower perceived risk than full EVs.”

Industry players claim that tax registration waivers on hybrids in states like Uttar Pradesh, etc., are helping the rising footfalls at dealerships.

On the other hand, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), saw the growth rates decline over the last few months. The total number of BEVs went up by just 10 percent during Jan-July on a YOY basis at 54,118 units as compared to 49,028 units during the same period last year, JATO Dynamics India data showed.

According to Bhatia, Hybrids are outpacing BEVs due to the lower barrier to entry for consumers, easier integration into existing lifestyles, and reduced dependency on charging infrastructure. “It is serving as a bridge technology for cautious adopters,” he noted.

Market dynamics and automaker strategies:

Hybrid vehicles’ success in India encourages automakers to expand their offerings in this segment. Over the last few years, many affordable hybrid models have entered the automobile market, including the Honda City Hybrid, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, and Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid. The prices of these models are very competitive to make them accessible to consumers.

The Indian automakers are now preparing to promote a new trend of hybrid vehicles in the price range of Rs 15-25 lakh. The major Indian Car manufacturer Maruti has developed and introduced hybrid versions of their popular models Swift and Fronx. Even Kia launched its Kia Carnival hybrid, Toyota launched the Fortuner hybrid and Hyundai launched its Hyundai Kona hybrid models. These launches are expected to boost hybrid vehicle sales in India.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has emerged as a leader in the domestic hybrid electric vehicle market (HEV) market. As of now, in 2024, The Company TKM has sold over 50,000 units of its hybrid models, including the Innova Hycross, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Camry Hybrid, and Vellfire. The Innova Hycross and Urban Cruiser Hyryder are the top-selling models, with 30,505 and 21,737 units sold respectively, until the first half of 2024.

The Executive Vice President, Mr. Vikram Gulati, of Toyota Kirloskar Motor(TKM), has said that with the existing market sentiments, we are confident of maintaining the growth momentum.

TOP-SELLING HYBRID VEHICLES MODELS IN 2024:

Brand	Model	CY 2023	CY2024 (YTD)
Toyota	Innova	39539	30505
Toyota	Urban Crusier Hyrider	24872	21737
Maruti Suzuki	Grand Vitara	15171	6111
Maruti Suzuki	Invicto	3388	1975
Toyota	Camry	1819	1324
Honda	City	1983	657
Toyota	Vellfire	565	478
BMW	XM	112	64
Land Rover	Defender	9	2
Land Rover	Range Rover	17	2
Land Rover	Range Rover Sports	1	2

YTD Stands for Year-To-Date, CY Stands for Calendar Year
Source: JATO Dynamics India

The Indian Leading Car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki is also focusing on expanding its hybrid vehicle portfolio. As per the JATO Dynamics Report, the company sold 6,111 units of hybrid version of the grand Vitara and 1975 units of the Invicto in the first half of the year 2024.

The country’s largest carmaker proclaimed that it managed to see a 62.47 increase in its total strong hybrid car sales at 23,394 units during the April-June 2024 period as against 14,399 units in same period last year.

Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) has also made significant strides in the hybrid market with the introduction of the Honda City e: HEV by selling 1,953 units of this model last year and 657 units YTD. Honda Cars India Vice President (Marketing & Sales) Kunal Behl stated that the hybrid version of the City accounted for 11 percent of total City sales last year and has already increased to 13 percent this year and the company plans to continue developing both hybrid and electric powertrains as part of its future product lineup.

Challenges and future outlook:

Whereas hybrid vehicles are gaining traction, the battery-electric vehicles (BEV) market is undergoing slower growth. From January to July 2024, the BEV sales increased by just 10 percent, reaching 54,118 units compared to 49,028 units in the same period last year.

Mr. Bhatia, M.D of JATO Dynamics says that hybrids are currently outpacing the BEVs due to their lower entry barriers, easier integration into existing lifestyles, and reduced dependency on charging infrastructure.

Maybe in the coming years, fully electric vehicles will take the lead with the infrastructural improvements, and if the government special incentives to promote battery electric vehicles. But as of now, the hybrids are leading in the Indian Market

The U.S. Government Is Intended To Increase Tax Credit Eligibility By Relaxation In Electric Vehicles Battery Rules.

May 30, 2024May 30, 2024 by vikas.sinha21

#Electric Vehicles News:

The U.S. government on Friday loosened some rules governing Electric Vehicles tax credits, potentially making more EVs eligible for credits of up to $7,500 but leading critics to accuse the Biden administration of helping China.

The Treasury Department announced final regulations for the credits under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, giving automakers more time to comply with some provisions about where battery minerals can come from.

Electric Vehicles Credit Range:

The credits range from $3,750 to $7,500 for new EVs. There’s also a $4,000 credit for used ones.

They’re aimed at juicing demand for EVs in an effort to reach a Biden administration goal that half of all new vehicle sales be electric by 2030. This year the credits are available at the time a vehicle is purchased from an authorized dealer rather than waiting for an income tax refund.

Qualifying for the credits depends on a person’s income, the price of the vehicles and requirements related to battery makeup and minerals that get tougher each year. To get the credits, EVs must be assembled in North America. Some plug-in hybrids also can qualify.

Starting this year, complex rules are being phased in to promote development of a domestic electric vehicle supply chain. The rules would limit EV buyers from claiming the full tax credit if they purchase cars containing battery materials from China and other nations “of concern” that are considered hostile to the United States. Those include Russia, North Korea and Iran.

Under the final rule, however, small amounts of graphite and other minerals used in batteries would be exempt from the restriction until 2027, because their country of origin is nearly impossible to trace, officials said. Without the exemption, some vehicles that met nearly all of the requirements could get knocked out of tax credit eligibility due to tiny amounts that couldn’t be traced, Treasury said.

The National Mining Association slammed the new exemptions as a giveaway to China.

“Congress created these tax incentives to secure our supply chains and generate American jobs while supporting EV adoption. They did not intend for loopholes to be created that essentially amount to a blank check from the American taxpayer to China,” said Rich Nolan, the mining lobby’s president and CEO.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said that through the new rule, the Biden administration “is effectively endorsing ‘made in China.’ ”

Manchin, who played a key role in passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, President Joe Biden’s landmark climate law, said the law specifically prohibits EVs that contain materials from foreign adversaries such as China and Russia from being eligible for the tax credit after 2024. “But now Treasury has provided a long-term pathway for these countries to remain in our supply chains. It’s outrageous and illegal,″ he said.

This year half of the critical minerals in an EV’s battery have to be mined or processed in the U.S., or a country with which it has a free trade agreement. Sixty percent of the battery parts have to be made or assembled in North America.

Starting in 2025, batteries with any critical minerals from nations of concern would not be eligible for any tax credits. But after getting comment from the auto industry and others, treasury officials decided to loosen that restriction.

The rule issued Friday is likely to make more EVs eligible for credits in 2025 and 2026, but the auto industry says that’s difficult to tell until automakers finish tracing the origin of all the minerals.

“The Electric Vehicles transition requires nothing short of a complete transformation of the U.S. industrial base,” John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a large industry trade group, said in a statement. “That’s a monumental task that won’t – and can’t – happen overnight.”

The rule change, he said, “makes good sense for investment, job creation and consumer EV adoption.”

At present, China dominates crucial parts of EV battery supply and production, even as automakers race to establish key mineral and components efforts elsewhere.

Of 114 EV models currently sold in the U.S., only 13 qualify for the full $7,500 credit, the automotive alliance said.

Despite the tax credits, sales of electric vehicles grew only 3.3% to nearly 270,000 from January through March of this year, far below the 47% growth that fueled record sales and a 7.6% market share last year. The slowdown, led by Tesla, confirms automakers’ fears that they moved too quickly to pursue EV buyers. The EV share of total U.S. sales fell to 7.15% in the first quarter, according to Motorintelligence.com.

“The Inflation Reduction Act’s clean vehicle credits save consumers up to $7,500 on a new vehicle, and hundreds of dollars per year on gas, while creating good paying jobs and strengthening our energy security,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

The Challenges & Opportunities of Electric Vehicles In India.

April 14, 2024April 14, 2024 by vikas.sinha21

Introduction:

A electric vehicles (EV) charging station (represetataional image)

Source: Reuters https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid

Electric Vehicles in India are growing rapidly. It is a demand to go green and save the environment with sustainable development. In this way, alternative fuel vehicles are in global demand. Electric vehicles are the most popular and adopted way to go green globally. In India, many Indian manufacturers as well as foreign investors have already launched many brands in the Indian Market.

India is growing their EVs market in all segments like two-wheelers, Three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and commercial buses & trucks.

Indian Government has supported electric vehicles with several rebates like manufacturing rebates to the producers and tax rebates to the customers.

Despite that, there are still electric vehicles are still facing many challenges.

# Challenges for Electric Vehicles:

1. Mindset of the Consumers for Electric Vehicles:

The majority of Indian Customers are unaware of the impact of emissions on the environment and the after-effects of the same on future generations, so they are not very sensible to stop the pollutants and make their environment clean and green.

2. Affordability of EVs:

Even after government incentives and tax rebates, still electric vehicles are costlier compared to gasoline-engine vehicles. The running cost of these electric vehicles is less but the initial cost of purchasing the vehicle is high. The Indian government has reduced costs with FAME 2 incentives. The two-wheelers and three-wheelers can achieve cost uniformity and even reduce cost in the long term for vehicles operating in commercial activities. But we are behind in achieving this equality for four-wheeler segments.

3. Charging Anxiety with EVs:

Even though the electric vehicles market in India is growing and the consumer base is increasing day by day. Still, there is a fear in the mind of the electric vehicle driver of getting discharged their car vehicles in between trips. The charging infrastructure is not growing very rapidly in India; we have only 20,000 public charging stations to date. Many major players are in the field to develop the charging infrastructure but it will take a long time to come into existence.

4. Range of EVs:

The average range of Indian electric cars is around 350 to 400 k.ms and this is good for the city and around-the-city movement but in the end, there is always a fear of being discharged, during the trip.

5. Convenience: Charging a vehicle takes time to get it fully charged and is not as easy as re-filling the fuel in the vehicle. Even though the public charging stations are not very close around out of the city, it is also a tough job to get your vehicle fully charged. It takes a minimum of 30 minutes to 2 hours to get it at its full charge.

6. Regulatory Challenges:

The government policies and regulations are not very clear and consistent. The well-defined regulations, clear tax incentives & rebates, and setting clear targets for electric vehicle adoption can encourage investment and innovation in the sector.

#Opportunities of Electric Vehicles in India:

Apart from all the challenges with electric vehicles in India, there are many opportunities also associated with this like:

1. Government Support to Electric Vehicles:

The Indian government is committed to the development and promotion of alternative fuel vehicles and electric vehicles as part of these initiatives comes under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) Scheme. The FAME is the financial scheme supported by the Indian Government to provide financial incentives for the adoption of Electric Vehicles.

2. Growing Market:

The urban population of India is growing rapidly and this population is of literate people, who are more concerned about environmental issues. As the awareness of a clean and green environment rises, more consumers are willing to switch to alternative fuel vehicles and electric vehicles are one of the best available choices to date.

3. Job Creation:

The electric vehicle development and growth create many employment opportunities in the fields of research and development, design, manufacturing, sales, service, and various sister concerns.

4. Innovations:

The Indian electric vehicle market provides opportunities for innovations in different areas like battery technology innovations, charging infrastructure development, and electric mobility solutions for the country’s special needs and challenges.

5. Rural Electrification:

The rural electrification initiative will be geared up with the adoption of electric vehicles, as this will accelerate initiatives like solar-powered charging stations. This could bring clean transportation options to remote areas.

6. Partnership and collaboration:

The Indian government, industry players, and academia can come together and in collaboration, they can drive innovations and accelerate the growth of the electric vehicle ecosystem. Partnerships with international players can provide new innovative technologies and even foreign investments.

7. Export Potential:

India has the potential to become a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles with a cost-effective and skilled workforce.

Conclusion:

This is the new era of alternative fuel vehicles and electric vehicles are one of the most popular globally. There are many of government support to promote electric vehicles in India. The government is providing many rebates and tax relaxation. FAME is employed to promote the faster manufacturing and adoption of electric vehicles throughout India. Even though, there are many challenges in the expansion of electric vehicles unawareness of Indian consumers, less and undeveloped Infrastructure like charging networks, High initial cost of the vehicles, etc.

Despite all the challenges, we should come forward to sustainable development to provide a clean and green environment for future generations.

Ford plans to re-enter India with focus on Electric Vehicles: Report

March 4, 2024 by vikas.sinha21

Introduction:

According to a report, the major auto manufacturer in the United States, FORD is planning to re-enter the Indian auto market by focusing on electric vehicles. The Hindu Business Line reported that the global automaker Ford, which departed India in 2021, is working on a return to the Indian Market with a focus on hybrid and electric vehicles, by using its manufacturing facility in Chennai for the production of these cars. Times of India reported that the car manufacturer Ford has applied for design patents for a sleek, modern midsize SUV. This design is considered to compete with already existing popular models like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Source: https://images.wsj.net/ Ford has updated its outlook for 2024. PHOTO: ANGUS MORDANT/BLOOMBERG NEWS

Ford Electric Vehicles Planning:

Recently, the company has patented the design for its upcoming Endeavour SUV, which will carry the Everest Moniker.

The company is in the process of recruiting personnel for its Chennai factory.

Moreover, Ford has secured the trademark for “Mustang Mach-E” in India. It is expected that Ford may come back by introducing its electric crossover to rival other premium electric vehicles like the Mercedes EQE, BMW iX, and the Audi Q8 e-tron.

Source: https://etimg.etb2bimg.com/photo/108033946.cms

The majority of consumers of mid-size passenger cars are hesitant to go for electric vehicles because of their high price and very few marked charging infrastructure. In this view, the automaker has also cut production and prices of its battery-powered Mustang Mach-E, while it pivots to boost the output of gas-electric hybrid models.

As Bloomberg reported, The Company has recently stopped deliveries of its F-150 Lightning plug-in pickup for an undisclosed quality issue. In an official statement, the automaker said it stopped shipping the Lightning on February 9 to ensure the quality. The Company said, “We expect to ramp up shipments in the coming weeks as we complete thorough launch quality checks to ensure these new F-150s meet our high standards”.

According to the report of last month, it is predicted that the Indian market of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is expected to grow at a compound Annual Growth Rate of 35 % with expected annual volumes to touch 27.2 million units by 2032.

The central government’s commitment to promoting an indigenous Electric Vehicle ecosystem is evident in the approval of a 3.5 billion US dollar production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the manufacturing of automobiles and auto components, promoting the development of the electric vehicle supply chain in the country.

Conclusions:

The Indian market of electric vehicles is growing and many major car manufacturers are investing to develop their establishment and the infrastructure in India to capture the broad market of India. That’s why the Major car manufacturer Ford is rethinking and planning to rejuvenate its existing plant and machinery already at Chennai.

Hoping the best for the Ford and the Indian as well as the global market for the alternative fuel vehicle and the electric vehicles.

05 Alternatives to Battery-Powered Drivelines…

February 24, 2024February 23, 2024 by vikas.sinha21

Introduction:

The battery-powered vehicle system plays a very important role in reducing carbon emissions to the environment. Even though there are many other ways also to achieve carbon-neutral mobility than adopting battery-powered electric vehicles.

Now, battery-powered transport systems are playing a major role in shifting toward carbon-neutral mobility. Even though researchers are continuously involved in developing other ways also to achieve the goal of no or minimum carbon emission drivelines.

Below are the 05 key alternative fuels other than battery electric vehicles:

1. Hydrogen Electric Vehicle (HEV):

Hydrogen is a ready-to-use option for both the combustion engine and the fuel cells, but the efficiency of hydrogen is considerably higher in fuel cells. Hydrogen electric vehicles are zero-emission drivelines, generally hybrid vehicles with a battery as used for buffer. HEVs are self-sufficient vehicles and are fast to refill easily. The European Union, under AFIR recommended expanding a huge network for sourcing hydrogen from renewable energy sources to scale up the infrastructure and overcome the tight bottlenecks.

2. e-fuels in Compare to battery-Powered Vehicles:

The e-fuels are the chemical combination of green hydrogen and CO2 capture. It is a zero-emission by CO2 compensation. Germany has opened the door to using e-fuel after the European Union ban in 2035.

Source: https://www.cng-mobility.

3. Bio Fuels:

Biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, and biogas are the prime sources of energy for propelling vehicles. The biofuels are derived from biomass, which includes organic materials like crops, agricultural residues, algae, or waste products.

The common biofuels are:

i). Ethanol:

Ethanol is the extracted form of crops like corn, sugarcane, wheat etc and is commonly blended with gasoline to create ethanol-gasoline blends such as E10 (10% ethanol, 90% gasoline) or E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline).

Flexi- fuel : Alternative to Battery- Powered

Figure 1 The Toyota Innova Hycross Flex Fuel MPV is designed to operate exclusively on Ethanol

ii). Biodiesel:

Biodiesel is the product from the residual of vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled cooking grease. It can be used in diesel engines either by mixing with petroleum diesel in blended form or directly in pure form.

iii) Biogas:

Biogas is the product of the anaerobic digestion of organic matter like agriculture waste, sewage, or landfill. The vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG) or the converted vehicles run on bio-methane use biogas as fuel.

4. Compressed Air Vehicles (CAV):

Compressed Air Vehicles (CAVs) are vehicles powered by compressed air stored in onboard tanks. The concept of using compressed air as a power source for vehicles has gained attention as a potential alternative to traditional internal combustion engines or electric vehicles.

The compressed air is stored in a tank mounted on the vehicle. This stored energy is then used to power the vehicle’s engine or motor.

5. Solar-Electric Vehicles (SEV):

Solar electric vehicles (SEVs) are those, which use energy from the direct Sun i.e. solar energy to produce electricity for propelling the vehicles. These vehicles usually include solar panels, which receive sunlight and transform it into electrical energy this electrical energy is then stored in batteries, and from the battery, this energy is used to power the electric motor of the vehicles for developing the propulsive power.

Figure 2 The Squad Solar City Car, as presented of the Fully Charged 2022 event in Amsterdam

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Squad_Solar_Car

Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells, which are used to convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.

Solar electric vehicles are powered by electric motors. The electricity generated from the solar panels is used to charge the vehicle’s batteries, which in turn power the electric motor. Some SEVs also can directly power the motor using solar energy during operation.

Conclusion:

To shift towards a more sustainable and integrated transportation system a sole carbon-neutral mobility system or a combination of new technologies and strategies is required to implement, even though battery electric vehicles play a substantial and diversified role in addressing the challenges of carbon emissions in the transport sectors.

Many innovations and technologies are there to cope with and solve issues like carbon emissions and sustainable mobility.

Carbon-neutral mobility is the demand and the future of the coming era for a more eco-friendly and sustainable environment.

Let us come together to achieve the goal for our future generation.

“8 recommendations For saving your electric cars battery life…

February 18, 2024January 31, 2024 by vikas.sinha21

Introduction Electric Cars battery:

The batteries of Electric cars are facing trouble in cold weather and this affects their performance. The batteries are being discharged soon and taking a long time to recharge again.

Certain temperature windows are optimal for batteries in terms of their life span and effective capacity. If the battery can be kept within this window without the need to cool or heat, it will perform at its best and give the electric car the longest possible range.

In cold weather, the batteries became cool and it required additional support to reach the optimum operating temperature. In addition, the battery contributes to heating the car interior at that time, which increases the electricity consumption slightly.