ELECTRIC MOTION

AUTO INDUSTRY HONCHOS ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE ACCEPTANCE, UNLOCKING NEW CUSTOMER SEGMENTS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES TO PUSH EVs AND HOW INDIA CAN ACCELERATE THE TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY VEHICLES

Q. HAS CUST O MER ACCEPTANCE OF EVs IMPROVED?

• BALBIR SINGH DHILLON 

At Audi India, we have seen continued demand for the e-tron range. We believe that electric car acceptance in the country is happening much faster than anticipated. With the recent launch of the Audi Q8 e-tron and the Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron, we are taking the next step in our electrification journey. We have six electric cars in our portfolio, the widest EV offering in the industry.

• VIKRAM PAWAH 

BMW Group India remains dominant in the electric luxury segment thanks to its most diverse electric portfolio—BMW i7, BMW iX, BMW i4 and MINI SE. Till date, we have sold close to 1,000 battery electric vehicles (BEV), delivering 11 times more BEVs during H1 2023 than in H1 2022. The BMW iX is the best-selling BEV in the Indian luxury car segment. At present, it is the urban consumers that are driving a majority of the demand but prospects from emerging markets are firming up quickly in the medium to long term. We also have the best fast-charging infrastructure at the BMW Group Dealer Network in 35 cities, and it plays a vital role. We have opened it to customers of other electric car brands to promote e-mobility and address any range anxiety issues.