ICAT Drives Innovation in India’s Automotive Sector
The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) is making significant strides in India’s automotive landscape, having developed 27 groundbreaking technologies and secured multiple patents. With a focus on enhancing research and development, ICAT has established partnerships with leading institutions and launched initiatives to support startups in the automotive domain. The Indian government is also actively promoting foreign investment in the sector through various schemes aimed at bolstering electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and green hydrogen initiatives.
ICAT’s Contributions to Automotive Innovation
The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) has emerged as a pivotal player in advancing research and development within India’s automotive industry. With a commitment to excellence, ICAT has successfully developed 27 innovative technologies that underscore its role in automobile engineering. The center holds nine patents and intellectual property rights, along with two copyrights and design registrations, showcasing its significant contributions to the field. Furthermore, ICAT’s experts have published over 50 technical papers in prestigious national and international forums, enhancing the knowledge base in automotive technology.
To foster a robust research and development ecosystem, ICAT has forged over 40 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with prominent domestic and international automotive organizations, as well as leading academic institutions like IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Roorkee, and IIT-Hyderabad. These collaborations aim to drive innovation and facilitate knowledge exchange, ultimately benefiting the automotive sector as a whole.
Supporting Startups and MSMEs
In a bid to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship, ICAT has launched an incubation and acceleration center specifically designed to support startups in the automotive and allied sectors. This initiative is part of ICAT’s broader mission to engage with startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through various workshops, seminars, and webinars. These programs offer valuable skilling and upskilling opportunities, while ICAT serves as a technology and validation partner, providing essential technical expertise to emerging businesses.
Additionally, ICAT is a board member of the Automotive & Allied Research and Technology Innovations (AARTI) Foundation, a section-8 entity established with the support of IIT-Roorkee. AARTI focuses on fostering innovation and supporting businesses in the automotive domain, particularly for startups and MSMEs, thereby contributing to the overall growth of the industry.
Government Initiatives to Boost the Automotive Sector
The Government of India has introduced several schemes aimed at attracting foreign investment in the heavy industry and automobile sectors. These initiatives are designed to enhance India’s position in the global electric vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell markets. One of the key programs is the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the Automobile and Auto Component Industry, which was notified on September 23, 2021. This scheme, with a budgetary outlay of ₹25,938 crore, aims to bolster India’s manufacturing capabilities for advanced automotive technology products and has already attracted 41 approved foreign applicants.
Another significant initiative is the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), which was notified on March 15, 2024. This scheme encourages the manufacturing of electric cars by allowing initial imports of EV passenger cars at a reduced duty rate, provided that applicants invest a minimum of ₹4,150 crore and meet specific domestic value addition targets.
Furthermore, the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid & Electric) Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme Phase-II, implemented from April 1, 2019, to March 31, 2024, has a total budgetary support of ₹11,500 crore. This scheme has attracted investments from foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aims to promote the adoption of electric vehicles across the country.
Green Hydrogen Mission and Future Prospects
The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) is another critical initiative being implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). This mission aims to position India as a global hub for the production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. One of its objectives is to support the deployment of green hydrogen as a fuel in buses and trucks through pilot projects. Currently, five pilot projects have been sanctioned, involving a total of 37 vehicles and nine hydrogen refueling stations.
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