Automotive industry
The Indian automotive industry is one of the major growing markets of the world, and vastly contributes to the country’s industrialised facilities. The automobile industry in India is further projected to increase the share of manufacturing in India’s GDP to 25% by 2024 from 15% presently, with manufacturing of electric vehicles being an automotive sensation in India.
There is a huge demand for well-trained and skilled mechanical engineers who can lead India’s evolving automotive industry. Many mechanical engineering colleges in Maharashtra are redefining their curriculum to provide students with industry-synced education and training.
Introduction:
An Electric Vehicle, also called an EV, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion. EVs include, but are not limited to, road and rail vehicles, surface ( Drones) and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft. Road EVs include a large range of vehicles like
- Electric two-wheelers,
- Three-wheelers (rickshaws),
- Cars and electric buses
In addition, Electric vehicles can be classified into two types:
- BEVs have an electric motor in place of a combustion engine and use electricity from the grid stored in batteries.
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) use batteries to power an electric motor and liquid fuel such as gasoline or diesel to power an internal combustion engine or other propulsion source.
The two most important characteristics of an electric vehicle of concern to the consumer are:-
- Driving range
- Charging time of batteries
Charging time depends on the input power characteristics (i.e. input voltage and current), battery type, and battery capacity.
Reasons for the Shift to Clean Mobility
Air Quality Indices are no longer healthy in many cities of India; Automobile related pollution has been one of the causes for this. Global warming greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles, to reduce dependency on a fossil- fuel based economy.
Electric car business opportunities
There is a huge demand for electric cars in India currently. More and more people are realising the importance of switching to electric cars to save the environment. This has led to a boost in careers in mechanical engineering in India. There is a lot of scope in the industry and this is the right time to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Let’s take a look at the business opportunities for electric cars in India:
- Electric car servicing garage
- EV Charging Station: Another electric car-related business opportunity is EV charging station. Home- based charging stations; private charging stations are other opportunities in the electrical car-related business. Electric car charging station business opportunities will be practical in many countries as the number of EVs increases day by day.
- Electric car spraying workshop: Electric car body work and painting workshop would be another business opportunity related to electric vehicles
- EV Charging Station Management: EV charging station management and repair would be a profitable business. If the number of charging stations increases, the possibilities to start and run a complete charging station management is high.
- Electrical workshop for electrical vehicle: Electrical workshop to repair and do electrical related work on electric cars is a good business. Electrical motors, circuits etc.
- Charging Station Setup Training Service: Electric car charging station setup training centre can be started to teach EV charging station service. Charging station setup training service shall be started along with charring station repair business.
- Electric Car Rental Service: Electric car rental service can be started.
- Spare Parts Manufacturing/selling: Electric vehicle spare parts manufacturing or selling is another business that can be started. Electric car battery shop: Battery replacement is necessary in electric vehicles in almost 5 to 10 years. The person who knows electric car repair can easily start the business and promote
- Franchising/Reselling: Electric car franchise and reselling business have a bright future since the number of EVs increases.
- Portable Charging Station: Electric car charging stations are not available in all places. Solar charging station installation center: Installation of solar based homes, or private charging stations require expertise. There is a good business opportunity.
- Online shop for electric spare parts: You can start your own online shop for electric car spare parts.
- Online shop for electric car reselling: One of the best electric car business opportunities is online shop for electric car reselling.
- Electric car charge and chill station: The time taken to charge an electric vehicle is more than the time taken to fill fuel of an IC engine vehicle. The EV charging and Chill stations would be some infrastructure where drivers can drink coffee, watch a movie, have a meal, play games, etc. while their EV charges.
- Last mile connectivity: A number of operators have already started the business in Europe using electric scooters. You can pay and use the electric scooters parked nearby the railway stations and travel to the adjacent locations.
INDIAN EV SCENARIO
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020
- Target of deploying 5 to 7 million electric vehicles in the country by 2020
- Emphasises importance of government incentives and coordination between industry and academia
- Lowering of vehicular emissions by 1.3 percent by 2020
E-RICKSHAW:
In March 2015 the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill was cleared establishing battery powered e- rickshaws as a valid form of commercial transport.
Challenges for E-Vehicle:
- Large scale penetration of EVs will require both demand side incentives (e.g., tax incentives) and improved charging infrastructures as well as integrated planning for distribution Grid management.
- Reduce Mass.
- Decrease material and manufacturing costs.
- Improving the Hardware.
- Battery – alternatives to/maximising the nickel-metal hydride currently in use.
Electric vehicle manufacturers
The electric cars available in India are:
- Hyundai Kona Electric
- Mahindra e-Verito[
- Mahindra e2o
- MG ZS EV
- Tata Tigor EV 2019 (Only for Commercial purposes)
- Tata Nexon EV 2020
Motorcycles in India:
- Revolt Motors (RV400 & RV300)
- Tork Motors (to be launched)
- Emflux Motors (to be launched)
- Ultraviolette Automotive
Scooters
- Ather Energy
- TVS iQube (Currently available in Bangalore)
- Hero Electric Photon 48V
- Okinawa Raise
- Yakuza Rubie*
- Evolet Pony
Conclusion
Mechanical and electrical engineering are growing fields of engineering today. More and more companies are looking for candidates who hold a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering to spearhead their operations from an innovative point of view. Engineering has always been a promising field and today the recent technological advancements have made it possible for engineers to gain diverse career opportunities in various fields. So if you are considering a career in engineering, then mechanical engineering could be the right choice for you.