Riding The Commercial EV Wave

WITH A COMMON GOAL OF NET-ZERO EMISSIONS AS THE INDUSTRY, MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LTD. DOESN'T WANT TO RUSH WITH COMMERCIALISATION. SUMESH SOMAN FINDS OUT HOW THE PV MAJOR IS LAYING A SOLID FOUNDATION TO RIDE THE COMMERCIAL EV WAVE.

- SUMESH SOMAN

The industry as a whole is working on a common goal of attaining net-zero emissions. Not just cutting down on tailpipe emissions but by reducing the carbon footprint in the entire value chain. Credit India's commitment at COP26 or growing customer awareness, vehicles are cleaner today with clean Bharat Stage VI compliant diesel and CNG vehicles on one end of the spectrum and Battery Commercial Electric Vehicles (BCEVS) on the other end. In the case of the latter, Commercial Vehicles (CVS) are witnessing a transformation. After buses that were first to ride the electrification wave nearly a decade back, and three-wheelers thereafter, today Small Commercial Electric Vehicles (SCEVs) up to the four-wheeler goods carrier segment are being electrified and near roll out. Tippers and other categories are gradually following suit. With this backdrop, it's quintessential the PV major set a solid foundation. Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) has committed to making its EV available in India for sale by 2025. Notably, the decision comes after the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) made its intent to stop diesel vehicle production and focus on cleaner options like CNG. The Super Carry LCV sales for the company grew by 235.4 per cent in April 2022 compared to the same period a year ago as a testimony.