Not a U - Turn
: a Right Turn
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Today’s Hindustan Times , carries following news :
The
government has decided against formulating an electric vehicle (EV) policy in
an apparent U-turn from its position so far, providing a breather to many
carmakers that are unprepared for an abrupt shift to the clean-fuel technology.
“There
is no need for any policy now,” Nitin Gadkari, minister for road transport,
said at a press briefing on Thursday. He was addressing reporters along with
Amitabh Kant, chief executive of government think tank NITI Aayog.
“What
we need is just action plans,” said Kant, backing Gadkari’s stand on the
policy.
“Everyday,
new technology is coming into the market. Technology is always ahead of rules
and regulations. And in India, it becomes very tough to change rules and
regulations, so let there be just actions,” Kant said, explaining the reason
behind the decision.
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This is
a welcome announcement !
All
that was left unsaid to the Auto Industry , was :
“ Look
,
Focus
on the goal – viz : no more sale of Petrol – Diesel vehicles from 01 April 2030
We
leave it to you to decide :
How you want to “ phase out “ production
of Petrol-Diesel vehicles
How you want to “ phase in “ manufacture
of Electric Vehicles
How many months before April 2030, you
will stop production of Petrol-Diesel vehicles , so that , on 01 April , you
are left with NO INVENTORY
How you will go about promoting EV without
subsidy ( to you or to buyer )
How you will solve the issue of Battery
Charging Infrastructure ( ala TESLA ? )
How you will overcome “ Range Anxiety “ (
eg: using ISRO’s solar car roof ? )
Which Battery Technology you want to adopt
Why you should develop your own Solid
State battery
Whether you want to continue to depend
upon imported Lithium-ion Batteries or you want to get a license from ISRO for
its small battery
How you wish to go about developing
vendors for components for EV
Whether you introduce a “ Exchange Program
“ ( New car for Old Car )
Whether you want to gradually move into “
EV leasing “ rather than selling
Whether you want to turn yourself into the
business of “ Transporting Service Provider “ rather than “ Selling of a
transport product “
Dear
Shri Gadkariji ,
Congratulations
on enabling market forces ( read : competition ) to shape the future course of
Electric Vehicles by formulating their own “ Action Plans “ , rather than
asking the actors ( manufacturers – buyers – ride share operators – dealers –
owners of battery charging infrastructure – component suppliers – banks
offering car loans etc ) , to follow a rigid government script
The
rate at which EV technology is changing , it was simply impossible for any
government script to remain valid for more than a few weeks !
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17
Feb 2018
www.hemenparekh.in / blogs
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