Advancing Sustainable Mobility: R&D and Innovation for Electric Vehicle Excellence

The automotive industry is rapidly transitioning towards cleaner, more efficient technologies as players are increasingly focusing on sustainable materials and supply chain practices. Vehicles are becoming more electric and software based and the automotive industry today demands advanced levels of quality and reliability.

December 12, 2023. By News Bureau

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The future of the Indian automotive industry is moving closer towards electrification and this shift has increased the demand for smart auto components. Over the years, the auto component sector has made significant progress in boosting the country’s growth through global opportunities establishing India as a dominant global player driving innovation and development. These ongoing key transformations in the industry have led automakers to spend more on R&D to monitor and deliver better sustainable solutions.

With rising automation, India remains a high-potential market highlighting the country’s remarkable talent pool in software development, AI and EV solutions. Factors including high-quality engineering talent, localisation, technological advancements in mobility and autonomous driving have positioned India as a global innovative R&D hub for auto players. Global auto giants are setting up R&D facilities in India and are intensifying R&D investments to tap into the country’s growing research ecosystem to attend their domestic and export markets. Several domestic players with key focus areas on design and models are also expanding their R&D capabilities to undertake crucial engineering work across several domains.

Accelerating EVs: Role of R&D

The auto component sector is also witnessing significant innovations in the EV segment and with India’s promising R&D aspect, auto component makers hold a good chance to develop electric vehicle solutions that improve vehicle performance, safety and user experience. With growing popularity, EVs and hybrid vehicles require substantial investments to focus on performing innovative research to improve energy storage systems, electric motors, integrated sensors and vehicle charging infrastructure. Manufacturers are dedicating R&D endeavours aimed at creating state-of-the-art EV components integrated with smart solutions and connectivity features. Collaborations and partnerships foster innovation, efficiency and competitiveness and help accelerate the industry's ability to develop advanced EV components and expand their presence in the global markets.

Despite the pandemic slowdown, EV segment’s growth is on an upward tick with positive market sentiments and the industry's advancement towards EV readiness is evident through its investments in R&D, collaborations, localisation efforts, and government support. The automotive industry is preparing for a future where consumers can seamlessly adopt electrification and promote cleaner mobility options for a sustainable future. Alongside policies such as PLI and FAME, the government also offers tax incentives for R&D activities to encourage investments in research. To accelerate the transition, many Indian states passed EV policies that benefit the available skilled tech talent in the engineering and manufacturing sectors that help facilitate a circular automotive ecosystem.

Sustainability – a growing concern

In recent years, the automotive industry has become more environmentally friendly as sustainability has become a critical issue with growing concerns about climate change and the environment. Circular economy and smart mobility have the potential to offer economic benefits and prioritise sustainability.

Several OEMs have already adopted sustainable practices and technology processes as part of a circularity strategy that can help reduce the impact on the environment. Automotive manufacturers are increasingly adopting sustainable supply chain practices together with large-scale advances in R&D and manufacturing of EVs. Transparency across entire supply chains is crucial to identify and monitor relevant changes to improve sustainability and to confirm that every component created is as sustainable as possible.

The Way Ahead

India is all set to emerge on the global stage as a hub for innovation leveraging localisation and competitive cutting-edge ideas to drive the discovery of new technologies and develop innovative products. Technology, modernisation and advanced R&D capabilities are positioned to bring about a transformative impact on the future of the Indian auto component sector.

The automotive industry is rapidly transitioning towards cleaner, more efficient technologies as players are increasingly focusing on sustainable materials and supply chain practices. Vehicles are becoming more electric and software based and the automotive industry today demands advanced levels of quality and reliability. With stringent safety and emission regulations and the global push for sustainable manufacturing, the industry is aiming to offer sustainable innovations by creating a beneficial environment for EV adoption. Keeping up with these ongoing global trends, the Indian auto sector will continue to revolutionise the market and deliver smarter solutions.

- Dr. Balaji Venkataraman, President, TVS Sensing Solutions