“There is no simple answer… but it’s a daily work matter,” said Rajendra Petkar, President and Chief Technology Officer of Tata Motors – Commercial Vehicles, addressing a packed room at the Autocar Professional Future Powertrain Conclave, held in partnership with Guidance Tamil Nadu.
In a landscape shaped by electrification, hydrogen, and ethanol, Petkar delivered a grounded message: Disruption is inevitable, but internal combustion engines (ICEs) will continue to power India’s mobility for years to come.
Built for the Long Haul
Petkar made it clear that Tata Motors is not just hedging its bets—it’s actively developing and readying every viable powertrain.
“We are there in every powertrain—liquid fuels, fuel blends, CNG, LNG, battery electric, hydrogen fuel cells, and H2-ICEs.”
However, amidst this technological diversification, he emphasized that ICEs will remain the dominant platform, particularly in the commercial vehicle segment, where cost sensitivity, payload demands, and infrastructure limitations continue to define purchasing decisions.
“Some of the new technologies have a long gestation period and a lengthy development cycle. Unless you focus on core technology development, you will not be ready when the market actually needs such technology.”
This is where Tata Motors’ advantage lies: it is not reacting to disruption—it is preparing for it daily, through a framework Petkar calls “daily work management.”
ICE Isn’t Going Anywhere
Despite the rise of EVs in some urban use cases and strong policy support, Petkar was clear that internal combustion engines—especially in newer forms such as CNG, LNG, and ethanol blends—will remain the backbone of India’s mobility for the foreseeable future.
“Different categories of vehicles have different expectations. What the customer wants from their mobility solution—that’s what drives development.”
Whether it’s long-haul logistics or rural freight, customers continue to seek proven, robust, and cost-effective technologies, which ICEs consistently deliver.
Petkar also highlighted that Tata Motors’ deep investments in alternative ICE fuels, such as ethanol, LNG, and CNG, are part of a strategic push to lower emissions without abandoning existing infrastructure or economic logic.
A Disruption-Ready Playbook
Tata Motors’ R&D strategy is driven by technological readiness rather than market hype. The company is preparing battery electric, fuel cell, and hydrogen combustion engines, but it’s not abandoning ICEs along the way.
“We’ve set a target to reach net zero for passenger vehicles by 2040 and for commercial vehicles by 2045. That’s our North Star, regardless of what the country does.”
This proactive stance enables Tata Motors to lead the sustainability conversation without prematurely abandoning technologies that continue to serve the Indian market efficiently.
Policy Push, Market Reality
India’s policy landscape is rapidly evolving. From 20% ethanol blending to LNG corridors and CNG station rollouts, the government is pushing for diversified fuel strategies.
The government is advancing various new technologies. You name it—gasoline, ethanol, methanol, LNG. And not to mention EVs.”
But Petkar pointed out that market adoption won’t move at the same pace across all segments. Even as electric vehicles (EVs) gain traction in passenger cars and last-mile fleets, commercial buyers continue to focus on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), uptime, and fuel availability.
Regulation and ROI: A Balancing Act
The challenge, as Petkar put it, is not just in developing new technologies but in recovering the investments made in them.
“With such a strong regulatory regime… it has become quite difficult. From BS-IV to BS-VI, then from Phase 1 to Phase 2, and now to CAFE and WLTP—can we truly recover the investment we are making? It’s a big question.”
In this reality, ICE platforms—exceptionally cleaner, fuel-flexible versions—offer more significant return on investment and quicker monetisation cycles, making them essential to funding the very innovations that will define the future.
The Verdict: Be Nimble, Stay Grounded
Petkar emphasized that agility, not ideology, will determine who leads in the new era of mobility. “You’ve to be quick, nimble, and adapt to market dynamics.”
Tata Motors is striking a deliberate balance—leaning into disruption while staying firmly rooted in real-world conditions. Backed by policy direction and a deep technological foundation, the company recognises that while ICE may not define the long-term future, it remains the dominant force in the present.