changeadminToday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two landmark initiatives at the Suzuki Motor plant in Hansalpur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, underscoring India’s emergence as a global hub for green mobility.
First, the Prime Minister inaugurated and flagged off the “e VITARA”, Suzuki’s first global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). The Made-in-India BEVs will be exported to more than a hundred countries, including markets such as Europe and Japan. With this milestone, India will now serve as Suzuki’s global manufacturing hub for electric vehicles.
The second initiative launched by the Prime Minister is the next phase of India’s battery ecosystem, with the start of local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant in Gujarat.
The plant, a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso and Suzuki, will boost domestic manufacturing and clean energy innovation. This development ensures that more than eighty per cent of the battery value will now be manufactured within India.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted that this marks a significant leap towards the shared goal of “Make in India, Make for the World.”
Emphasising that today also brings a new dimension to the friendship between India and Japan, the Prime Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations to all citizens of India, to Japan, and to Suzuki Motor Corporation. The Prime Minister remarked that this reflects not only the strength of India-Japan relations but also the growing trust of global companies in India.
Recalling that the seeds of India’s success story were sown 12–13 years ago, Shri Modi said that in 2012, during his tenure as Chief Minister, land was allotted to Maruti Suzuki in Hansalpur. He remarked that those early efforts are now playing a significant role in fulfilling the nation’s current resolutions.
Expressing his heartfelt remembrance of the late Mr. Osamu Suzuki, the Prime Minister stated that the Government of India had the honour of conferring the Padma Vibhushan upon him. He remarked that he is pleased to witness the vast expansion of the vision Mr. Osamu Suzuki had envisioned for Maruti Suzuki India.
He stated that companies like Maruti Suzuki have effectively become brand ambassadors of the Make in India initiative. Noting that for 4 consecutive years, Maruti Suzuki has been India’s largest car exporter, the Prime Minister announced that from today, EV exports will also begin on the same scale. He affirmed that in dozens of countries around the world, the EVs that will run will proudly bear the label — Made in India.
Underlining that the most critical component of the EV ecosystem is the battery, the Prime Minister said that until a few years ago, batteries in India were entirely imported. He added that to strengthen EV manufacturing, it was essential for India to begin domestic battery production. Mr Modi recalled that in 2017, the foundation of the TDSG battery plant was laid with this vision.
He announced that under a new initiative by TDSG, three Japanese companies will jointly manufacture battery cells in India for the first time. He added that battery cell electrodes will also be produced locally within India.
Mentioning that until a few years ago, EVs were viewed merely as an alternative option, the Prime Minister emphasised his belief that EVs offer concrete solutions to multiple challenges.
He recalled that during his visit to Singapore last year, he had proposed converting old vehicles and ambulances into hybrid EVs. Mr Modi commended Maruti Suzuki for accepting this challenge and developing a working prototype within just six months.
He shared that he personally reviewed the prototype of the hybrid ambulance and said that these hybrid ambulances align perfectly with the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
The Prime Minister noted that under this ₹11,000 crore scheme, a dedicated budget has been allocated for e-ambulances. He highlighted that hybrid EVs will help reduce pollution and offer a viable option to transform old vehicles.
Affirming that clean energy and clean mobility represent the future of India, Mr Modi emphasised that through such efforts, India is rapidly emerging as a reliable hub for clean energy and clean mobility.
The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr Bhupendrabhai Patel, Japan’s Ambassador to India, H. E. Mr. Ono Keiichi, officials from Suzuki Motor Corporation, were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Add comment