Hinduja Group looks at TFL EV plan
The Hinduja Group-owned British bus specialist Optare is said to be looking for a significant share of the Transport for London (TfL) EV plan. Aiming for a significant share in the double-decker buses of the fleet in the near future with the local administration pushing for zero-emission zones around the city center, the Group is targeting ebuses through Optare. Acquired by Hinduja Group in 2013, Optare took the decision to shift to ebuses from conventional diesel buses in 2017. UK’s decision to gradually transform the 6000 strong bus fleet plying in London City center to zero-emission EVs is said to have been the tipping point. With a mere two per cent of the present fleet in the UK known to be electric, the stand to shift to all-electric buses has been intensified by the UK Government in the wake of the climate change challenge. In
June 2018, Optare re-entered the double-decker market and secured an order for 31 double-decker buses from London Metroline. This the company feels has the potential to help the company have a larger play in Tfl double-decker buses. The common teams of Optare and Ashok Leyland are expected to help the OEM adapt global EV technology to its product portfolio for the domestic market London.
Organised by Underwriters Laboratories in partnership with Centre for Battery Engineering and Electric Vehicles (C-BEEV), IIT Madras, the India Energy Storage Summit 2019 focused on the creation of a safe, secure and sustainable energy storage ecosystem. The two-day interactive summit attracted a number of experts from relevant fields such as auto, electrical and electronics, safety and quality. Delving upon the fast pace of growth of the sustainable energy storage ecosystem in India, the event was supported by GE Global Research and the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Held at IIT Madras Research Park, Chennai, the summit saw experts discuss the ability of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind to contribute to a significantly higher proportion of the country’s energy demands; to address the energy storage needs, and to make it more affordable and robust to store energy. Attracting electric vehicle (EV) original equipment manufacturers, battery manufacturers, EV charging and battery swapping solution providers, expert academic researchers, renewable energy sector experts and organisations involved in safety and quality standards to be precise, the summit got participants to focus on energy storage avenues such that it would catalyse the growth of electric mobility. The event got experts to emphasise on battery performance, safety, and innovation. More than 20 experts came together at the event to highlight the role of renewable energy and energy storage as the key contributor to sustainability in the times ahead. The summit focused on various ways of energy storage and how the innovation of helping to forge a path ahead through breakout sessions.
As the president of Underwriters Laboratories and an expert, Terrence Brady said that the safety and performance of batteries have become a critical concern the world over. He drew attention to batteries as storage devices becoming a key part of everyday lives, whether on land or water or in the air. With experts from IIT-Madras, India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF), Ashok Leyland, SUN Mobility, Mahindra Electric, Attero Recycling, GE, ARAI and other organisations adding their bit to the discussion on energy storage, the India
Energy Storage Summit 2019 highlighted a rare blend of cross-functional expertise and knowledge. Witnessing the participation of over 100 delegates from leading Indian firms and organisations, the summit pointed at the key challenges faced in energy storage applications.
Drawing attention to new ways of collaboration in order to tackle key challenges in energy storage applications, Dr. Judy Jeevarajan, director of electrochemical safety for Underwriters Laboratories expressed, that the success of the summit would lie in the establishment of a strong network between various experts and key stakeholders. He stressed on the solutions that needed to be found to ensure sustenance apart from safety and performance. Said Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Institute Professor IIT-Madras, “Storage plays a key role not only in the growth of electric vehicles but also for the growth of renewable energy.” “The industry, academia and the government should work together on storage technology, standards, and policy to find affordable solutions for India,” he added. Delving on how the lithiumion batteries designed and customised for Indian conditions (and constraints) could help to accelerate EV adoption in India, the summit saw experts look at battery swapping. The general opinion was that if it is done effectively, it can significantly mitigate the major concerns of EV users such as range anxiety, charging time and battery costs. Drawing attention to the availability of Li-ion battery recycling technology and how it is working in India, an expert announced that used effectively, it could significantly increase the raw material security and support the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries in India.
Discussing Lithiumion batteries presenting diverse hazards under different environments, the experts pointed at testing mechanisms and the need for their evolution in terms of safety and performance. Pointing at the falling cost of lithium-ion batteries, an expert mentioned that their use for captive energy would help address a large portion of the end user’s needs. He called upon the government, industry, and academia to work together on different aspects of energy storage for the development of technology, standards, and policy.