New Delhi, June 5, 2024: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organized an international conference titled “Integrating Mission LiFE in the Automobile Industry: Transitioning Towards Viksit Bharat” in New Delhi, aligning with World Environment Day 2024. The event featured government officials, industry leaders, and global experts discussing sustainable mobility solutions.

The Chief Guest, Tarun Kapoor, Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, attended the conference. He emphasized the government’s focus on environmental preservation and making India a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles to serve domestic and global markets.

Chief Guest Tarun Kapoor said in his special address, “The government emphasizes environmental preservation for a sustainable future, with EVs at the core. Our goal is to make India a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles, serving both domestic and global markets. Indian companies have immense potential to transform the country into a global EV leader. Most critically, we must find ways to move towards sustainable transportation without affecting any aspect of life.”

The inaugural session was themed ‘Steering towards Environmental Preservation through Sustainable Mobility’. Welcoming the dignitaries at the conference, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “SIAM is committed to Building the Nation Responsibly, advocating sustainability in line with India’s green ambitions. With commendable support from vehicle manufacturers, we are optimistic about reducing emissions and advancing towards green mobility swiftly.”

SIAM outlined its key initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070 and advance the Viksit Bharat program by 2047. These include vehicle electrification, promoting biofuels, enhancing recycling, developing gas-based mobility infrastructure, and fostering the hydrogen fuel ecosystem.

The event included the launch of ‘SIAM Speaks’, a video series to educate vehicle owners and road users about India’s sustainable mobility transition and responsible driving behaviours. Three thematic sessions covered topics like curbing environmental pollution, conserving existing resources, and harnessing renewable energy.

 

Understanding the government’s emphasis on green mobility, Dr. Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, said, “The government is committed to promoting sustainability in transportation and has crafted a number of schemes like PLI. Collaboration between the government and industry has continuously improved EV infrastructure in the country, fostering faster EV adoption. We must further accelerate our efforts and actions to ensure a sustainable and efficient transition to green mobility.”

Guest of Honour Sudhendu J Sinha, Adviser, Niti Ayog, Government of India, said, “We need to take sustainability with more respect and sincerity and create a vertical headed by a passionate sustainable officer. This is the year of innovation, where INR 1 lakh crore has been dedicated to innovation. It is paramount to give a voice and pitch to the OEMs for all the good work that is being done for the households.”

Industry leaders and government officials emphasised the need for collaboration, policy interventions, and innovative solutions to drive sustainable transportation. SIAM also signed an MoU with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) to foster research, sustainable cooling, and environmental initiatives in the automobile sector.

Key Highlights:

• SIAM outlines carbon neutrality and Viksit Bharat goals with initiatives on electrification, biofuels, recycling, gas-based mobility, and hydrogen
• The event featured government officials, industry leaders, and global experts discussing sustainable mobility solutions
• Launch of ‘SIAM Speaks’ video series to educate vehicle owners and road users
• SIAM signs MoU with CEEW to collaborate on policy research and environmental initiatives

Stressing upon the proper recycling of end-of-life (ELV) vehicles at the SIAM 4th International Conference, Ashim Sharma, Senior Partner at Nomura Research Institute Consulting & Solutions (NRI) highlighted its potential to reduce dependency on metal scrap imports by five million tonnes by 2025. He also emphasized the importance of developing a recycling ecosystem for lithium-ion batteries to support a sustainable future.

Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, concluded the day-long event while urging industry leaders to continue innovation to achieve sustainability goals and integrate LiFE principles in their business processes.