Electric vehicle component market needs a boost from the government

“Although there are some government policies being developed in favour of EVs, the government should also promote the components related to EVs.”

Shekhar Brahmankar, Executive Director, Electro Crimp Contacts (India) Pvt. Ltd. talks about the need for redrafting regulatory policies related to renewable energy, metal market, electric vehicle components, and type testing. He also discusses the technological trends that are impacting the energy sector.

What measures should be taken by the government and DISCOMs for a better T&D system and to meet the rising power demand in India?
Certain government policies related to the power sector need to be rethought or redrafted. As we know, the renewable energy sector has huge potential in India. But due to certain policies, producers are unable to ensure competencies and efficiencies in their operations due to which they are suffering losses. Subsequently, the business of ancillary manufacturers like us gets affected greatly, including by duties.

What are the steps being taken for smart electricity in the country?
We have not yet tapped companies that are into smart electricity. But energy savings is a crucial part of smart electricity. Some of the products that we manufacture are bimetallic lugs, which are used for aluminium cables and copper connections and help minimise galvanic corrosion between the terminal and the lug by keeping the two metals homogeneously connected through friction welding.

What are the challenges faced in the power sector?
An equal platform needs to be created for manufacturers so that they can cater to the demands of the energy sector in a better manner. In India, usually people do not care about quality as much as they are concerned about the price. Pricing is a major issue in the Indian market. Everyone wants low prices when it comes to Indian goods. Hence, price, quality, and delivery have become a major or basic need of every customer. Moreover, the government policies and the metal market fluctuation are another challenge faced by us. If they can be stable and our government places more regulations on metal prices, it can help manufacturers like us who are in the small- and medium-scale industries.

What do you think about the technological trends that are shaping the power sector?
When we talk about the technological trends that are shaping the sector, what comes to mind is smart electricity, smartphones, smart cars or electric cars. We need to move further towards electric cars because that will be the future of the automotive sector. And not only the automotive sector, but also the electrical sector get will a boost. There are very few manufacturers of electric cars or electric vehicles in India. Although there are some government policies being developed in favour of EVs, the government should also promote the components related to EVs. And since this technology is being imported from outside India, the government should put some efforts to ensure that EV components are manufactured in India or that EV manufacturers buy electrical components from Indian manufacturers.

How do you see the current market for the electrical sector?
The market is very good right now. The current government has a vision to develop and build better infrastructure in India. That has generated tremendous demand for electrical components in the country, which is a positive sign.

What are your plans for your business this year?
Right now, we are competing on a global level with European and American producers and supplying world-class products at low prices. We have a good range of testing products that are world-class. But all our products, including copper, aluminium, bi-metallic lugs, etc., get testing done outside India since the required type testing facility is not available here. So, our plan is to conduct type testing in India itself, which Indian laboratories are not able to do as of now.

Currently, Indian manufacturers have to conduct type testing in other countries. So, the government must frame a policy or provide the required support to ensure that these kind of testing facilities, which are not available in India, are developed here. The government must ensure that Indian testing laboratories in the electrical sector are capable enough to compete with foreign laboratories and Indian manufacturers need not go abroad to conduct type testing. We are planning to test all our products as per the IEC 61238 standard.