PM Narendra Modi with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on Friday | Photo: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that more than 210 million vehicles have been sold in the country since 2014, which was 120 million in the decade before 2014.
He was addressing the Bharat Mobility Global Expo at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Friday. According to him, about 2,000 electric vehicles were sold ten years ago.
“Now 1.2 million electric vehicles are sold. In the last decade, a growth of about 60 percent has been recorded in passenger vehicles,” he added.
He also spoke about India’s progress in the infrastructure sector. “We challenge seas and mountains and build engineering marvels in record time. From the Atal Tunnel to Atal Setu, India’s infrastructure development is setting new records. In the past ten years, 75 new airports have been built. About 400,000 rural roads have been constructed,” he said.
He also urged the industry to pursue research and development (R&D) to manufacture batteries using locally available raw materials. Modi said India is developing rapidly and will become the world’s third largest economy during the third term of the government. The general elections are scheduled for April-May this year.
In his address at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, the Prime Minister also announced that 1,000 modern retirement homes will be built along national highways for truck and taxi drivers in phase 1. “India will certainly become the third largest economy in the world during the third term of our government,” he said.
At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, major automakers reiterated their commitment to sustainable mobility. Companies including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motor India, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and BMW among others showcased a variety of vehicles with different fuel technologies ranging from CNG, hybrids to electric as they highlighted the need for environmentally friendly sustainable mobility for the future.
Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India showcased its concept eVX, flex fuel WagonR, high-performance hybrid Grand Vitara and Jimny, along with the SkyDrive e-flying car.
“We are looking at all technological options for sustainable mobility for the future,” Rahul Bharti, executive director of Maruti Suzuki India, told PTI.
He said the company will launch its first all-electric eVX SUV in India this year, and will also be exported to Japan and Europe, reversing the trend of importing electric vehicles and helping the Make in India initiative from the government.
Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said the Bharat Mobility expo underlines the importance of the Indian mobility sector.
“It is a very good initiative by the government to bring all stakeholders under one roof. Nowadays, cars are not just about vehicles, software also plays a big role. So it is good that associations like NASSCOM are participating here,” he said. .
The company presented its ‘Concept EQG’, an electric version of its flagship off-roader G Wagon, along with the GLA and AMG GLE 53 Coupé.
Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO of Mahindra & Mahindra, Auto & Farm Sectors, said: “The Bharat Mobility Global Expo provides us with an opportunity to showcase our commitment to innovative and sustainable mobility, further strengthening our commitment to creating globally competitive highlighting solutions in India”.
First print: February 3, 2024 | 12:17 pm IST