The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024’s second day witnessed Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Mr Nitin Gadkari, steering discussions at the ‘Electric Vehicle Manufacturing: Charging Ahead to 2047’ event. Acknowledging the EV sector’s substantial GST contribution to state and central governments, Gadkari emphasized India’s remarkable ascent to the world’s third-largest automobile market under PM Modi’s leadership.
He urged the automotive industry to invest, projecting a 50% annual growth rate in EV sales by 2030, aiming for 1 crore annual sales and 5 crore employment opportunities. Gadkari also anticipated a reduction in lithium-ion battery costs, further propelling industry growth.
Mr Harsh Sanghavi, Minister of State for Transport, Government of Gujarat, highlighted the state’s policy-driven approach to deploying EVs in public transportation, ensuring a substantial return on investments. Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union Minister of Heavy Industries, outlined the government’s efforts in creating an EV-friendly ecosystem since 2015, with plans to commence ACC battery production by February 2024 under PM Modi’s guidance.
Mrs Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Chair of the FICCI Electric Vehicle Committee, envisioned India as a global leader in the EV space by 2047, emphasizing not only market dominance but also becoming a hub for technology, components, and manufacturing.
The summit featured various sessions, including ‘Building Workforces for Future: Development of Skills for Industry 4.0,’ where Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, hailed Gujarat as a trailblazer and emphasized the role of 5G and digital public infrastructure in India’s leap into the fourth industrial revolution.
Union Minister Mr Sarbananda Sonowal participated in the “Seminar on Port-led City Development,” highlighting the strategic placement of industries near ports for cost optimization and employment generation. He celebrated the completion of Sagarmala programme projects and the development of 8000 acres of land at major ports for industrialization, creating 2 lakh direct and indirect jobs. Sonowal also shared India’s strides in sustainable energy, with ports transforming into hydrogen hubs.
The summit further explored collaborations, including the ‘US-India Innovation Handshake’ seminar and country-specific sessions. Estonia, Malaysia, Slovakia, Finland, and Rwanda showcased their potential for collaboration and business growth.
The summit serves as a catalyst for India’s dynamic strides in electric vehicles, sustainable energy, industrialization, and global collaborations, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s journey toward a more innovative and sustainable future.
