SIAM reaffirms commitment to cleaner mobility solutions
Published On Nov 13, 2019
The industry body brings together industry and government representatives to deliberate on important issues around green mobilities, finding a way to develop the right partnerships and an integrated approach towards a common goal of sustainable transportation for the industry.
Amidst the current slowdown facing the domestic automotive industry, India over the last decade has emerged a large global automotive market. Growing urbanization, greater demand in the rural areas and under penetration of mobility points towards higher growth of automobiles in India in the next decade. Despite the opportunity, India faces issues such as congestion, accident, and pollutions which the auto industry much address along the way.
Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex body of the vehicle manufacturers in India working towards finding solutions for the issues facing the country. SIAM work with all the stakeholder in addressing some of the challenges facing the country, at the same promoting the growth of the auto industry. To address the growing challenge of clean air and increasing pollution SIAM is guiding the government on several policy decisions.
One of the major focus areas is to promote environmentally-friendly vehicles in India by creating the right eco-system to build the scale and develop the technologies. To discuss this SIAM organized a day-long national conference on ‘Cleaner Mobility, Beyond 2020: Automotive Sector as an Agent of Positive Change’ in New Delhi on November 11.
The conference was to exhibit the commitment and contribution of the auto industry towards bettering air quality and promoting sustainable mobility through an integrated approach. This was done by emphasizing how the industry has aligned with the imperatives of sustainable mobility through the adoption of innovative technology and initiatives. Various measures undertaken by the industry in conjunction with the government to drive the automotive industry towards a lower emissions threshold were highlighted.
Speaking at the conference, Deepak Jain, president, ACMA and Chairman & Managing Director, Lumax Industries said, “The auto industry is perceived to be the major contributor towards pollution which is not correct. We, as an ecosystem, must jointly put efforts to amend this viewpoint. Additionally, the industry is making significant efforts for the introduction of BS-VI emission norms. At the same time, the industry must bring to fore the significant role it plays in the national development and economic growth.”
Rajan Wadhera, President, SIAM, and President (Automotive Sector), Mahindra & Mahindra said, “With BS-VI, now diesel will be at par with gasoline in terms of tailpipe emissions. The rhetoric of diesel as a bad fuel should, therefore, be put to rest. We must now develop a National Roadmap for Alternative Fuels towards cleaner mobility beyond 2020. The governments have recognized that stubble burning is one of the major contributors to air pollution in Delhi-NCR. SIAM has also done its bit to address the issue through its anti-stubble burning campaign Sukh da Saah in a small region of around 9 villages in Punjab by engaging with farmers and authorities to put a stop to this practice. The pilot project was successful in reducing stubble burning by 75%.”
An impact assessment report of the Sukh Da Saah campaign titled ‘Improved Crop Residue Management Initiative Nabha, Patiala’, was launched which was followed by the first technical session on vehicle emissions and regulations.
Priyank Bharti, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, commented, “The Ministry engages with the industry on essential policies like the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 to provide safer as well as practical mobility solutions. Likewise, the government is looking at cleaner mobility solutions in line with policy continuity by engaging with the industry.”
Vinod Aggarwal, Treasurer, SIAM and Managing Director & Chief Executive officer, VE Commercial Vehicles said, “Smooth mobility of goods across the country is the lifeline of economic growth. At the same time, we must ensure that we continue to move towards cleaner mobility through the adoption of electric vehicles, alternative fuels and stricter compliance with emission norms.”
The conference witnessed discussed various topics including Vehicle Emissions & Regulations, Sustainable Mobility- Electrification & Alternative Fuels, Vehicle Life-Cycle Analysis, ‘Integrated Approach for Clean Air Management, etc. The day-long conference emphasis on an integrated approach is needed for addressing air quality concerns by involving each key stakeholder, for achieving sustainable development goals and better air quality.
