In a turn of events that’s sparking joy across the Indian automotive industry, the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in Manesar has rolled out the red carpet for a new champion of localized production. Ola Electric Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has zoomed past the finish line to clutch the first-ever Production Linked Incentive (PLI) – Automotive Certificate, marking a milestone in the race towards advanced automotive technology and the ‘Make in Bharat’ grand prix.
The prestigious award was handed over with pomp and ceremony by Dr. Hanif Qureshi, the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), to Dr. S.J. Dhinagar, the brain behind Ola Electric’s engineering marvels. The event was nothing short of a star-studded gala, with the who’s who of the automotive world, including Shri Saurabh Dalela, the Director of ICAT, and senior officials from MHI and Ola Electric, lighting up the stage.
The Ola S1 Pro (Gen2), a battery electric vehicle that’s been turning heads on the streets, showcased its worth by meeting the stringent criteria of a 50% minimum Domestic Value Addition (DVA) for the Automotive PLI certificate. This not only revs up Ola Electric’s commitment to the indigenization of cutting-edge automotive tech but also puts them in the driver’s seat of the ‘Make in Bharat’ movement, fueling the nation’s journey towards a robust domestic production ecosystem.
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Indian government has been steering the country towards green mobility with the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020. The PLI Scheme, launched by MHI with a hefty budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938 crore, is a turbocharger for the nation’s ambition to become self-reliant and a global pit stop for Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products and investment in the automotive manufacturing value chain.
With ICAT at the helm of evaluation and assessment, the automotive sector is gearing up for a series of PLI-Auto certificates to be awarded to deserving manufacturers. This initiative is not just a victory lap for Ola Electric but a green signal for the entire industry, revving up India’s position on the global automotive map.
Established in 2006, ICAT is a cornerstone of the National Automotive Board (NAB) and a beacon for automotive excellence in India. Authorized by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and recognized by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, ICAT leads the charge in automotive certification, design validation, and the advancement of green mobility solutions.
