India would become the world’s biggest manufacturing hub of electric vehicles (EVs)
Bengaluru: In a heartening development, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said that India would become the world’s biggest manufacturing hub of electric vehicles (EVs).
Furthermore, he also added that India would start producing lithium-ion batteries, which are crucial in these electric vehicles. These would be produced domestically by the end of this year.
Incidentally, Karnataka’s deputy chief minister Dr CN Ashwatha Narayana expressed confidence that his state would house two manufacturing facilities of the concerned batteries in the near future.
Electric vehicles are an easy alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles, but are considered very costly. However, the minister is sanguine that their prices will be at par with those of petrol and diesel vehicles.
“India is moving ahead towards making electric vehicles. In due course of time, we will be the number one electric vehicle (EV) maker in the world. All reputed brands are present in India,” Hindustan Times quoted the minister.
He added, “India has got tremendous capability for making green power... Within six months, I am confident that we will be in position to make 100 per cent lithium-ion battery in India, there is no shortage of lithium.”
Tesla in search of places to open showrooms:
Electric car maker Tesla will open new showrooms and service centres in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.
In this regard, the car giant has also roped in the services of Manuj Khurana, former promoter of Invest India to scout for places.
Economic Times adds that the company is looking for sites with an area of 20,000 to 30,000 square feet.
This move to hire a consultant and an area, this high a dimension, indicates that Tesla is serious about the expansion plans and hopes India will be a big market for the company.
"If you look at Tesla's showrooms globally, they are like experience centres. It would look at replicating that with some modifications for the Indian market," Economic Times quoted a source as saying.
The company is likely to import and sell the Model 3 sedan by as early as mid-2021. With the company, Tesla reportedly seeks to target rich customers in a niche market.
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