- SIAM Organises International Symposium on “Thriving Eco-Energy in Mobility (ISTEM)” at Auto Expo 2023
Greater Noida, 13th January 2023: Aligned with the Government’s thrust towards ethanol adoption in India, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) organised an International Symposium for Thriving Eco-Energy in Mobility (ISTEM), at the India Expo Mart, during the Auto Expo 2023. The conference focused on promoting ethanol as a sustainable fuel and covered topics for stakeholder’s discussion for bringing clarity on this fuel transition. The conference witnessed participation from national & international stakeholders of ethanol economy including ethanol producers, technology providers and leading global OEMs.
On the occasion, Hon’ble Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India also inaugurated the Ethanol Pavilion, where the vehicle features and technological developments were showcased to emphasize the use of FFVs and their future possibilities. The pavilion was organized as a part of the year-round activities to promote the use of ethanol.
Further, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and the US Grains Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding toward promotion of higher ethanol blends in the Indian gasoline mix and its impact on the automobile industry. The MOU was signed by Mr. Vinod Aggarwal, President, SIAM and Mr. Josh Miller, Chairman, USGC in presence of Hon’ble Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India and Ms. Gloria Berbena, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy.
The Government of India has mandated SIAM to promote ethanol as a transportation fuel, jointly with the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). India’s Ethanol Blending Programme is driven by the highest level within the Government. The important deadlines decided for pan India implementation of E-20 are 2023 for vehicles to be material compliant, and 2025 for vehicles to be fully E-20 compliant. Leading four-wheeler and two-wheelers companies and oil marketing companies including Toyota Kirloskar, Maruti Suzuki India, TVS Motor Company, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto Limited, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, Suzuki Motorcycle India, Yamaha Motor India, HPCL, IOCL, BPCL, and Oil India Ltd. participated in the exposition and showcased their flex-fuel technology. In addition, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) UNICA and PRAJ Industries showcase their capabilities. The Knowledge partners UNICA from Brazil and US grain council from US-supported to spread ethanol knowledge to Indian customers.
In his address, Chief Guest, Hon’ble Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India, commented, “Year 2006 is the time when the journey of Ethanol started. Brazil and US were the only ones who had ethanol. Cut to the present times and I am glad that a MoU has been signed between India and the US council. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Auto industry and SIAM that India’s time to embrace ethanol, clean energy and bio fuels have finally arrived. It is imperative for domestic manufacturers to start making EVs and I have complete confidence that their efforts will be fruitful.”
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Vinod Aggarwal, President, SIAM, CEO & MD, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles, said, “SIAM appreciates the role and vision of the US Council in developing long-term partnerships with Indian stakeholders, creating opportunities and adding value. We are now aligned for rolling out E20 material-compliant vehicles and production of E20-tuned vehicles. Ethanol adoption, apart from leading to GHG emission reductions, will also help the country reduce its import dependency, thus saving precious foreign exchange. This move is in line with SIAM’s vision of Building the Nation Responsibly”
While addressing the session Mr. Bento Albuquerque, Ex-Minster of Mines & Energy, Brazil said, “India and Brazil can work together in providing affordable bioenergy to the automobile industry and requires multi-stake collaboration.” On the sidelines of the programs, Ms. Gloria Berbena, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, supported efforts of SIAM and USGC in adopting ethanol based economy for overall environmental protection. The program was graced by Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO, MSIL, Mr. K N Radhakrishnan, Director and CEO, TVS & Chairman, 2W CEO’s Council, Mr. S M Vaidya, Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
In the plenary session on ‘Biofuels: Boon for the Indian Sustainability Roadmap’, a special address was delivered by Chairman: Mr. Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary, MoPNG. He said, “India is ready to roll out E20 shortly and ultimately will move towards flex fuel transition.”
Distinguished panelists also showcased their presentations at the symposium. There was a presentation on US Experience and use of Ethanol in the US by Mr. Ron Lamberty, Senior Vice President, ACE, presentation by Dr S S V Ramakumar, Director, IOCL R&D on “Indian ethanol experience”, presentation by Dr. Plinio Nastari, President, Datagro, on “Brazilian handling of ethanol”, and a presentation by Mr Rafael Chang, President, Toyota, Brazil, “On market transition towards ethanol” was well accepted by audience. Mr. Aditya Jhunjhunwala, President, ISMA, mentioned that “ISMA believes that the time has come to explore how FFVs can be promoted in the country.” Address by Mr. Vikram Kasbekar, gave an overview ED, HMCL, said, “Scheme like FAME 2 will give thrust to the industry. The session was well received by the audience.
The Technical Session on “Low carbon fuels: Necessity for curbing air pollution”, was chaired by: Mr Subhash Kumar, Ex-chairman ONGC & Member Energy Transition Advisory Committee “Bio fuel can help India attain net zero objectives. India generates 5200 Million metric ton biomass every year and Ethanol being part of the fuel system is bringing remarkable change in terms of reducing carbon footprint and affordability.”
Mr. Harjeet Singh, Senior Advisor Technical Hero MotoCorp Ltd. candidly explained the readiness of the two wheeler industry to meet consumer demand. Dr. Reji Mathai, Director Automotive Research Association of India echoed the sentiment that conferences like these established These conferences establish advocacy of all the stakeholders on the E20. Ms. Kelly Davis, Vice President, RFA, addressed the session, explained US’s Ethanol experience can provide guidelines to India towards sustainable future. Mr. Ryuta Niimura, Chief Engineer, Honda Motor Corporation Limited, explained the experience of Honda Motor in Brazil and how use of ethanol is resulting in a cleaner environment and sustainable future. Mr. Eduardo Leao de Sousa, Executive Director, UNICA, gave a presentation on “Low carbon fuels: Necessity for curbing air pollution.”
The valedictory session on “Fostering Energy Security using indigenous biofuel sources’ was chaired by Mr. Shantanu Gupta, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation Limited. “Explained about the SATAT Scheme, and its directives towards natural gas production for affordable transportation. Indian Oil also aims to reach net zero by 2046.”
The session also included presentations from Mr. Mike Lorenz, Senior Vice President, Growth Energy, USA, indicating the influence of ethanol in pollution free world. Mr. Flavio Castellari, Executive Director, APLA, helped in understanding the support being provided by Brazilian industry to SIAM and other stakeholders. Mr. Jitendar Goyal, Associate Vice President –Technical, Toyota Kirloskar Motors Limited, gave a global experience in TKML in handling E20 and Mr. P.S Ravi, Executive Director, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited showcase the distribution effectiveness in coming time through oil marketing companies and transition from E20 to E85 in the near future.
Concluding remark by Mr. Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “This symposium showcased how far we have come in the automobile industry. I would like to thank all the panellist for supporting and strengthening this mission.”
Over the years, SIAM has been engaging with governments, corporates, and various stakeholders in an effort to advocate a transition to cleaner fuels and innovative technologies. The engagements are aligned to SIAM’s objective of ‘Building the Nation Responsibly’ and nurturing sustainable mobility and sustainable development goals, 2030.
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