The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) convened the 3rd Global Electrification Mobility Summit (GEMS) during the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 at Pragati Maidan. Themed ‘Vidhutikaran’ (Electrification): Electrifying India’s Journey towards Sustainable Mobility,” the summit aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders to advance electrification initiatives, aligning with SIAM’s objective of Building the Nation Responsibly.
Chief Guest Kamran Rizvi, Secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, commended SIAM for its timely initiative in electrifying India’s journey. He emphasised the significant progress made by automakers, attributing it to government initiatives such as PLI and FAME, which have spurred innovation and transformed the industry. Rizvi advocated for a collaborative effort to develop a 10-year blueprint for the auto industry, focusing on global competitiveness, synergy, and R&D.
Vivek Kumar Dewangan, Chairman & Managing Director of Rural Electrification Corporation, highlighted India’s commitment to reducing emissions intensity, with the transportation sector being a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. He emphasised the role of electric mobility in addressing environmental challenges.
Sudhendu J Sinha, Advisor at NITI Aayog, reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding electric vehicles (EVs) through manufacturing and battery infrastructure initiatives. He underscored the importance of research and innovation in driving the electric mobility agenda forward.
Dr. Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Heavy Industries, emphasised the auto sector’s significant contribution to India’s economy and its growth potential. He highlighted the success of the FAME scheme in promoting EV adoption and called for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders.
Vinod Aggarwal, President of SIAM and MD & CEO of VECV, acknowledged the positive growth of the auto sector in the past year and emphasised the industry’s alignment with India’s sustainability objectives. He credited government support, particularly through FAME 1 and 2, for advancing the electrification agenda.
The summit featured a special session titled ‘Pivoting ways for the growth of electrification in Amritkaal of India,’ moderated by Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM. The session delved into global trends driving EV penetration and India’s holistic approach to electric mobility.
A panel discussion on ‘Navigating the landscape of e-mobility future in India’ explored the opportunities and challenges in the EV ecosystem. Industry leaders, including K N Radhakrishnan, Chairman of SIAM 2W CEOs Council, Niranjan Gupta, CEO of Hero MotoCorp, and Amit Kalyani, Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd, shared insights on technology, affordability, and localisation efforts in the EV sector.
The event also featured discussions on policy support, regulatory frameworks, and financing solutions for accelerating electric mobility. Experts from organizations such as IMMA, ZF Group India, and WRI India provided valuable insights and recommendations for advancing EV adoption in India.
Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director of SIAM, concluded the summit by emphasising the pivotal role of the auto industry in India’s sustainable growth journey. He reiterated SIAM’s commitment to facilitating collaboration and driving innovation to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
The 3rd edition of GEMS reaffirmed SIAM’s dedication to promoting electric mobility in India and fostering a conducive ecosystem for sustainable mobility solutions. The summit concluded on a high note, underscoring the importance of collective action in realising India’s sustainability goals.