The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) recently held the first national conference in New Delhi on Minimizing Carbon Footprint for Sustainable Growth.
The conference was attended, among others, by Mr. Deepak Jain, Chairman, STDC, ACMA & Senior Executive Director, Luxax, Dr. Aruna Jaura, Conference Chairman, ACMA, and Board of Director, SAE International, USA, Dr. Kirit Shantilal Parikh, Chairman, IRADe, Mr. N.K. Minda, Chairman, ACMA (NR), and Chairman & Managing Director, Minda Industries Ltd., and Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Joint Secretary, MOHI.
Addressing the conference, Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, said: “By 2020 there will be approximately 20 million electric and hybrid vehicles. This would be achieved by the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan of the Government, which would aim at adding green mobility within India. As cheaper alternatives are introduced their acceptability will also increase.”
Speaking on the theme of the conference, Mr. Vinnie Mehta, ACMA Executive Director, said: “The adoption of green technologies in the automotive industry in India must be across the supply chain with active involvement of all stake-holders, including the Government. Worldwide, the automotive industry has used an array of technologies to reduce emissions; these have however varying applicability in the Indian context due to lower average speeds, road quality, congestion and the prevalence of small engines. We must encourage use of greener technologies that are local or can be easily localized at costs that are commensurate with the paying capacity of our people.”
With the growing number of vehicles plying on roads and the greater need for transportation of passengers and goods, a holistic three-step green mobility program that will encompass green vehicle technology, an upgraded infrastructure and more effective management of the in-use vehicle fleet is absolutely essential.
The overall objective is to make the products environment friendly. The industry has taken its firm resolve to initiate investments in resource efficiency and development of low and ultra-low carbon products.
In order to address inclusive sustainable growth and green mobility, ACMA’s Sustainable Technology Development Committee aims at creating awareness on recycle ability, hazardous wastes and carbon footprint and keeps the industry updated with various technologies.
The Government launched the National Electric Mobility Mission earlier this year. This will be a great milestone in the history of the automotive industry. The true ethos and spirit behind this mission is to conserve fossil fuels and insure a clean and green industry, as also a cleaner environment for the citizens of the country.