Akihiro has been associated with Terra Motors for nine years now and has played a significant role in the company’s growth journey so far. Before Terra, he held the role of Assistant Manager at Sharp Electronics.

The automobile sector in India is making good progress towards being more environmentally friendly. Both the government and private sector companies are working hard to increase the use of electric vehicles, which are better for the environment. To support this, the government has introduced schemes like FAME to accelerate the growth of electric vehicle adoption, which are proven effective in educating people about the environmental and economic benefits of switching to EVs. While Indian automobile companies are creating new electric car models and building charging hubs, some challenges continue to hamper their adoption rate, such as their high upfront cost. Similarly, some worry about the lack of enough fast charging stations or the vehicle’s battery not lasting long enough on a single charge. However, some companies are looking at hybrid cars which use fuel and electricity as a step towards fully electric vehicles. Today, many Indian companies are focusing on EVs and supporting technologies like better batteries and charging systems. In short, India’s efforts to make cars more environmentally friendly are moving forward, and even though there are some challenges, the future looks promising for electric cars in India.

Emerging Trends in the EV Sector

Presently, we are witnessing the rising popularity of electric two-wheelers like scooters and bikes. This is mainly because they are cheaper to use & maintain than regular bikes, and their lightweight makes them ideal for navigating crowded roads & alleys of the cities. There’s also a growing focus on making EVs suitable for last-mile delivery to cater to the thriving demand of e-Commerce businesses. Another interesting trend is swappable batteries and fast charging networks to make it easier for people to use EVs for long distances without worrying about the charging time. Similarly, electric cars have been getting upgrades in terms of how far they can go on a single charge. Such developments aim to ease riders’ range anxiety and make the vehicles more practical for long-distance travel. In the past few years, more companies have started manufacturing parts for EVs like batteries and motors in India. This shift is helping to reduce the cost of manufacturing EVs significantly and making them cheaper.

Latest Tech Advancements Disrupting the Automobile Sector

Recent tech advancements have completely transformed the way automobile industry functions; electric cars being one of the biggest disruptions. Another exciting technology is self-driving cars, which can drive themselves with the help of sensors, cameras, LiDAR, and radar. Although these futuristic cars are still uncommon, they are being tested and could make driving so much easier in the future. Also, automobiles are getting smarter with technology that connects them to the internet, enabling drivers to get traffic updates, play music online, and even get software updates just like our smartphones. Furthermore, advanced batteries that can be charged faster and last longer are enabling riders to drive further without needing to charge the vehicle frequently during the journey.

Additionally, a lot of work is being done on making cars lighter and more durable using new materials. There is also a growing use of AI in the new-age vehicles, which has made it easier to improve the car’s ability to understand the driver’s commands and predict when the vehicle needs maintenance. Some cars are equipped with AR to make driving safer and more interactive. All these advanced technologies are making vehicles more like high-tech gadgets on wheels.

Autonomous Vehicles – The Indian Scenario

To make India ready for autonomous vehicles and self-driving cars, the government needs to lay down some clear measures. Firstly, the government needs to make clear safety regulations, which will lay down guidelines on how to drive such vehicles safely on the road and who will be held responsible in case of an accident. Secondly, India’s roads and traffic systems need an upgrade to become suitable for high-tech cars. Additionally, it is vital to make sure that the technology for self-driving cars works well in India’s unique traffic conditions, which are very different from many other countries. This means multiple tests need to be conducted on the Indian roads to understand the road safety aspect of such vehicles. Another crucial step is to teach people about self-driving cars. Besides these, India should also focus on developing the technology for these cars, like sensors, management systems, and software, within the country. Such an initiative can help the economy grow by creating new job opportunities and favoring local talents.

Future Prospects

The automobile industry in India is ready for a massive change, wherein EVs will become more popular and grow their market share significantly due to the government’s push to support EVs to reduce pollution. I am confident that such proactive efforts will help make new electric cars and bikes cheaper and more efficient. Today, more EV charging stations are being installed in India, making it easier for people to charge their electric vehicles. It is a given that with time, more noticeable developments in the fast-charging infrastructure will set in to support the evolving needs of electric and hybrid automobiles in the country.

Also, upcoming automobiles will come equipped with superior tech advancements such as touchscreens, internet connections, and advanced safety feature. There might even be some self-driving cars on the roads for testing with focus on making vehicles safer and more comfortable. Furthermore, there will be more focus on using materials and manufacturing processes that are better for the environment and promote cost efficiency. Such exciting prospects and developments are bound to increase the demand for skilled professionals in the automobile industry, which in turn will generate more lucrative employment opportunities in the long run.