50 percent of vehicle fleet in the country to be converted to clean and eco-friendly technology by 2030

By Phurpa Wangmo

Thimphu

To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence, the Indian Embassy  in collaboration with the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India,  the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI),  the Society of Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) organized a virtual Buyer-Seller Meet on Thursday  between Indian exporters/manufacturers and Bhutanese importers/dealers to promote Indian electric vehicles (EVs) in Bhutan including two-wheelers, midsized passenger EVs, buses, and trucks.

This was held keeping in mind that there is an increasing demand for electric vehicles in Bhutan as well as keeping in mind the target to ensure 50 percent of vehicle fleet in the country is converted to clean and eco-friendly technology by 2030.

The Ambassador of India to Bhutan Ruchira Kamboj said that the virtual meeting was aimed at expanding the presence of Indian-manufactured electric vehicles in Bhutan. Given India’s own growing capacities on this front and Bhutan’s efforts to “go electric” Ambassador Kamboj stated that there was a clear case for synergy and collaboration between the two countries on this front.

From the Indian side, Anand Kumar Singh, Director in the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India presented an outline of the Government’s policies to adopt and manufacture hybrid and electric vehicles in India.

Sushant Naik, Co-Chairman, FICCI Electric Vehicle Committee and Global Head (Government & Public Affairs), Tata Motors Ltd. and Dr. S. Jabez Dhinagar, CoChairman, SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) E-Mobility Group and Senior Vice-President (Engineering), TVS Motor Company Ltd. highlighted the opportunities for export of Indian-manufactured electric vehicles to Bhutan.

Tandin Wangchuk, President of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry provided insights from the business and commercial perspectives as well as policies with regard to electric vehicle mobility.

The event included an interactive business networking session with participation from 17 leading Indian electric vehicle manufacturers and 15 interested Bhutanese importers and dealers.