India Germany to Collaborate in Electric Mobility

India Seeks Green Technologies from the Global Leader

India has sought German expertise and participation in developing green technologies. Indian Minister of Commerce Industry and Textiles Shri Anand Sharma told German Federal Minister for Transport, Building And Urban Development, Dr. Peter Ramsauer, that “India and Germany are both committed to reducing carbon emissions and sustainable mobility is one of the highlights of our cooperation in the automotive sector. We are also seeking a common approach to implement targets for Government of India’s National Mission for Electric Mobility.” The Two Ministers met in Berlin yesterday. 

Germany is a strong supporter of electric mobility. There are about 1,500 electric vehicles operating on German roads. By 2020, Germany aims to put at least one million electric vehicles on the roads. Germany is also a world leader in logistics and in the construction of infrastructure, as well as in energy-efficient technologies in the transportation sector. Indo-German Joint Working Group (JWG) on Automotive Sector has helped to intensify bilateral cooperation in the development of efficient automotive technologies and alternate fuels and drives. Both countries are exploring areas of cooperation including in future road map for India’s Auto Fuel Policy, Electric Mobility Plan in India. The extension of the JWG on Automotives for another two years is indicative of the progress being made. 

Shri Sharma also sought German Participation in seven National Manufacturing Investment Zones (NMIZs) that have been notified along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and the project envisages development of Industrial Townships on a PPP model. The Government of India has committed US$ 4.5 billion for development of trunk infrastructure. “We would welcome participation of German Government and private sector in this project which is the most ambitious infrastructure project in the world” Said the Minister. The Japanese Government has committed US$4.5 billion for this project. German cities are among the greenest in Europe, according to a new survey ranking urban centres around the world depending upon their environmental footprint. Green technology is the central theme of NMIZs too. 

The Indian Minister drew attention to the ongoing discussions on a possible Agreement between BHEL and Siemens for production of power turbines. Heavy Industry Minister had raised this with Dr. Peter Ramsauer. Both the Ministers discussed the ways to move this issue further. 

The bilateral trade between India and Germany has more than doubled over the last 5 years to reach nearly US$ 23.64 billion last year. After a bilateral meeting with Dr. Philipp Roessler, German Federal Minister of Economics & Technology of Germany in Berlin, Shri Sharma expressed confidence that the trade target of Euro 20 Billion by 2012 will be surpassed.