German luxury carmaker BMW emphasized the need for incentives to bolster the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) segment. On Wednesday, the company unveiled the all-electric MINI Countryman and the electric scooter CE04 in India, noting that the market is still developing and requires continued efforts to facilitate this transition.
BMW Group calls for stronger government incentives to boost electric vehicle adoption. He emphasized that these incentives are crucial in making electric models more competitively priced, thereby aiding the transition to electric vehicles.
Parain mentioned that in some countries, where customers cover longer distances, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) can serve as an intermediary step. However, Parain specifically urged India to completely shift to electric vehicles. In India, hybrid vehicles incur a total tax of 43 percent, including GST, while battery electric vehicles are taxed at about 5 percent.
Parain conveyed optimism about the potential for EVs in India, indicating that BMW intends to launch more products in the country. He added that besides battery electric vehicles, BMW is also investing in internal combustion engine models, plug-in hybrids, and exploring hydrogen vehicles, maintaining a flexible approach to technology.
Globally, BMW ranks among the top sellers of EVs, alongside Tesla and BYD. Parain noted that while sales were affected in China, India is an exception, showing promising growth that needs to be sustained.
BMW Group India President and CEO Vikram Pawah stated that EVs are well-suited for India. He observed that the penetration of electric vehicles in India is encouraging, and as more products become available at various price points, the segment will expand rapidly. Pawah also highlighted BMW’s investment in establishing charging infrastructure to support the growth of the EV segment.
On Wednesday, BMW also launched the all-new 5 Series Long Wheelbase in India, starting at Rs 72.9 lakh, the new Mini Cooper S at Rs 44.9 lakh, and the all-electric MINI Countryman at Rs 54.9 lakh. Additionally, BMW Motorrad introduced the premium electric scooter CE 04, priced at Rs 14.9 lakh.
