Mr. Ayush Lohia – CEO, Lohia Auto Industries introduces us to his vision of electronic cars in India and explains the current market conditions that are favouring the growth of electric vehicles.
IS: What do you think is the future of electric vehicles in India?
Answer: The future of EVs in fact looks quite promising for electric cars, electric bikes and e-rickshaws plying on Indian roads with government’s aims to make India a 100% electric vehicle nation by 2030. These machines not only help users save money, but also promote a safe and clean environment which is the biggest health concern today.
Therefore future is electrifying as it will reduce fossil fuel dependence and pollution, and prove beneficial for both consumers and the nation in the long run.
IS: What are the driving factors for the growth of Electric Vehicles in the country? Where are we at present compared to other countries?
Answer: The segments growth in the Indian market is led by the growing need to curb the air pollution levels and the rising incentive schemes by the government to support manufacturing as well as use of electric two wheelers and three wheeler. Moreover, consistently increasing affordability of electric two wheelers and three wheeler vehicles is also boosting their adoption across the country. Increasing investments by electric vehicle manufacturers to develop more advanced, efficient and affordable electric two wheeler and three wheeler vehicle is likely to fuel growth in the coming years.
Currently the market share of electric cars is only 0.06 per cent when compared to 2 per cent in China and 39 per cent in Norway as indicated by Economic surgery. But there is a long way to go considering the optimistic environment for this sector. Electric vehicles will soon be seen ruling on the Indian roads
IS: What challenges do you face in this niche industry in India?
Answer: Customers don’t foresee the benefits of buying these electric vehicles, due to lack of proper infrastructure. And capital required to create charging infrastructure requirement to meet the demands of mass market EV adoption is another challenge. Hence, lack of infrastructure poses big challenge as this leads to poor consumer interest.
IS: Where do motorcycles fit in your electric vehicles portfolio?
Answer: Lohia Auto is working on new products development in which we are working on new scooter platform and new motor cycle platform. So very soon we will be launching our new product range which will have both the segments.
IS: How do you plan to manage the production, sales and distribution to meet the government’s 100% electric vehicles by 2030 target?
Answer: To increase its manufacturing capacity, the company is planning to set up a new state of art plant in one of the states in southern and western India. Moreover the new plant will also boost the company’s presence, reduce logistics time and cost. The new plant will be equipped with the sector’s latest technology.
IS: Do you have any plans to introduce any exciting performance electric motorcycles in India? If yes then when?
Answer: Yes, we are hoping to showcase some exciting performance electric motorcycles but it is too premature to discuss the same right now. We are hoping to speed up, so that we are able to roll out some communication at the earliest possible.
IS: Which product has the highest numbers/demand?
Answer: Two wheelers have the highest demand
IS: Are these vehicles designed and produced in India or with some partner abroad?
Answer: At present the designing of Electric Vehicles is done in India. But we are exploring and looking for ventures to design from outside.
IS: What is the capacity of your existing facility in Kashipur, Uttarakhand and will it require any changes or expansion to fit into your electric and clean fuel vehicle future?
Answer: Current capacity of existing facility is over 100 thousand vehicles per annum. The existing capacity does not require any major change and expansion to fit our existing portfolio of electric vehicle and clean fuel vehicle in future. Also as we mentioned earlier, we are looking for expansion by setting up a new plant in south. With this we will be geared the future growth and to meet demand.
Ayush Lohia: Weaving the EV Success Web in India
