JSW MG Motor India bats for multi-tech approach for cleaner mobility

JSW MG Motor India, which is betting big on India's potential for electrification of its passenger vehicle segment, is batting for a multi technology approach that also involves ICE-based hybrid propulsion systems along with BEVs, for a cleaner mobility ecosystem.

According to Rajeev Chaba, CEO Emeritus, MG Motor India, “Globally, new-energy vehicles or NEVs are gathering momentum, and charging infrastructure is keeping pace to enable this growth. Moreover, renewable energy sources are being utilised to power this infrastructure. In India too, the EV sector has accelerated at a tremendous pace, and this growth is set to continue further.”

Chaba explained that ICE puts a huge pressure on India's foreign exchange with a notable USD 200 billion annual import bill for crude oil, and hence, the transition to electric vehicles is a logical one. “EV sales in the passenger vehicle segment in India have grown significantly from being pegged at 5,154 units in 2020-21 to over 90,000 units in 2023-24.

“In line with this growth in EV sales, charging infrastructure too has kept pace with almost 12,000 chargers in the country today,” he said while adding that JSW MG Motor India has been supporting this transition towards cleaner mobility, and that the company's endeavour is to build a robust EV ecosystem.

“EVs make up around 40% of JSW MG Motor India’s present sales, and we are committed to drive these volumes even further,” Chaba added. The company plans a serious new-model assault in the coming months, with its next EV offering - MG Windsor - slated to be introduced next month.

The company says EVs are the most preferred sustainable mobility solutions with their zero-tailpipe emissions, thus, enabling cleaner transportation within cities. To prove its point and answer some common apprehensions around EVs, JSW MG Motor India quoted a recent study conducted by IIT Delhi to compare the various attributes of ICE, EV, and hybrid vehicles, and looked at them from a multi-criteria perspective to assess the overall sustainability of each technology. The study claims to have found EVs as the most preferred sustainable alternatives across price segments for local mobility requirements within Indian cities.

According to BK Panigrahi, Associate Professor, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, IIT Delhi, “When we compare EVs with ICE and hybrids, we generally focus on one criterion such as the well-to-wheel perspective, whereas the comparison of multiple segments and consumer behaviour also play a vital role in arriving at the right conclusion.

“If we look into the EV-versus-ICE debate, EVs are preferable, purely from a tailpipe emissions perspective, as they significantly reduce local emissions inside cities compared to ICE vehicles,” he said. 

Dr Panigrahi further explained that maintenance of an EV is also much simpler and cost-effective compared to an ICE vehicle, further giving an impetus to its growing adoption in the country. “While affordability was a big concern in the initial days of EV adoption, gradually, the barriers are getting reduced, and EVs are coming at par with ICE vehicles,” he added.

Dr Panigrahi was speaking in a panel discussion at the ‘MG DriEV.Bharat’ event organised at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today. His co-panellist, Dr Rashi Gupta, Founder and MD, Vision Mechatronics, said, “We have come a long way from where we were in 2015 when no one would talk about lithium-ion batteries. There is a huge transition from traditional lead-acid batteries to lithium-ion batteries, which also offer better mileage, recyclability, and energy efficiency. We are going towards circularity, and while there is a challenge currently with respect to the charging of EVs using thermal power, India must have the right energy mix with heavy penetration of renewable resources.”

According to Randheer Singh, Former Director, Niti Aayog, and Founder and CEO, ForeSee Advisors, “India has a target to shift to renewable energy - targeting up to 500GW from renewable resources by 2030. However, there is a misalignment between policy and actual executioners on ground. This is something which has already been harmonised in the West, and this is what we need to learn.”

Need for localised EV technology 

Singh further highlighted that the evolution and future of EVs in India depends upon how the technology evolves further. “More local suppliers must manufacture 150kW-and-above e-motors within India,” he pointed out.  

“Having said that, almost 85% of all investments world over, are towards the battery technology front, which is also creating a risk of over-capacity. Therefore, we are on the right track for these two things to evolve so that the adoption can increase further,” he added.

Singh also emphasised the need for public charging infrastructure which must transition towards ultra-fast charging that would enable 15- to 20-minute charging capabilities to alleviate range anxiety with innovations.

According to Gupta, “The EV transition is also about two-, and three-wheelers, as well as the last-mile delivery segment, and we are witnessing a strong uptake of EVs across all these categories in India. Having said that, while EVs will become mainstream, in India, older propulsion technologies will continue to co-exist as well.”

“Holistically, EVs are emerging as the most preferred sustainable technology because of battery technology. Having said that, a lot of work still needs to be done in the area of mineral mining, and recycling of batteries,” Singh, the former Niti  Aayog advisor added.

MG launches new charging platform

Despite the EV charging infrastructure on an upswing in India, range and charge anxiety continue to be key problems being faced by existing EV owners. To alleviate these concerns, JSW MG Motor India also announced the rollout of an integrated mobile app to help EV users plan their route as per charging availability.

According to Gaurav Gupta, Deputy Managing Director and Board Member, JSW MG Motor India, “India is poised to see installation of over 100,000 EV chargers by 2030, but charge anxiety continues to be a problem. Therefore, we have partnered with leading charging infrastructure companies to come up with a one-stop solution - eHub. The eHub by MG will be available in 11 langauges in the beginning to allow EV users across brands to seamlessly plan their route and charge their vehicles on the move. 

“We expect eHub to drive further EV penetration by convincing the fence sitters to join the EV lifestyle,” Gupta added.

The company also showcased its battery-repurposing solutions developed with partners such as BatX and Lohum to ensure second-life applications of lithium-ion batteries. “Repurposing of batteries will help recycle critical minerals from MG’s EVs to enhance circularity, and accelerate the clean-energy transition,’ Gupta said.

According to Chaba, “We strive to introduce innovative services and products to enable a rich experience for our customers. Since our inception, we have been focused on bringing the latest connectivity technologies into our products, and we are also excited to introduce the MG Jio Innovative Connectivity Platform,” said Chaba while unveiling the company's latest connectivity suite at the DriEV.Bharat event.