Chennai, 1st September 2024: Chennai’s favourite and most sought-after shopping and entertainment landmark, Express Avenue Mall, celebrated the 14th Anniversary with extravagant events over a long weekend starting from August 30th Friday to September 01, Sunday. Patrons were treated to trendiest of activities, leaving each with lasting memories. The first day was marked with a truly distinctive experience for all, through a Fashion Show with the theme Hero'. Young and stunning models showcased most glamorous collections from brands at EA - ranging from haute couture to street style - there was something for every fashionista. The evening was followed by EA Retailers Awards, which honoured the accomplishments of leading retail brands, significant stakeholders and emerging players. On Saturday and Sunday there was array of events, with special mention on the excitement experienced by children from a city NGO, who were treated at the interactive gaming zones at EA, such as Time Zone, Playn’ Learn and Craash. They were also treated to snacks and sumptuous meals.
K-Pop live performances by a local band set the stage alive with music, dancing, and entertainment for all ages. A local K-Pop band performed live at EA, setting the stage alive with music, dancing, and entertainment for all ages. Audiences witnessed an incredible performance by the band which truly had impactful moments. Ms Kavita Singhania, MD of Express Infrastructure Pvt Ltd., thanked the retailers and patrons during this milestone occasion – “Express Avenue looks forward to another fantastic year of bringing joy, fashion, and community together and we thank our valued shoppers, for being a part of this journey with exclusive experiences!” Visit www.expressavenue.in for more event schedules and follow the social media platforms for latest announcements.
Meril, a global medical technology and education leader, has expanded its healthcare education network by launching the Meril Satellite Academy in Kerala’s port city, Kochi. This move reinforces the company’s dedication to advancing surgical standards and empowering healthcare professionals in India and worldwide.
In the fast-changing world of medicine, continuous learning and hands-on training are vital for healthcare providers. Recognizing this necessity, Meril Satellite Academies aim to balance theoretical learning and practical implementation, offering professionals a platform to enhance their skills and engage in global collaboration. Positioned within Kerala’s robust healthcare infrastructure and its emphasis on quality patient care, the Kochi Academy is strategically placed to meet the educational needs of healthcare professionals in Southern India.
The new academy is equipped with cutting-edge facilities, including advanced simulators and robotic systems, providing participants with an immersive, hands-on learning environment. The academy features lecture rooms, state-of-the-art audio-visual systems, and specialized simulation spaces, offering the right blend of theoretical knowledge and practical training.
In a state of jubilation, Manish Deshmukh, Chief Marketing Officer of Meril, said, “We believe that accessible, high-quality medical education is key to advancing patient care, and the new Meril Satellite Academy in Kochi is a critical part of that mission. By offering professionals in South India access to state-of-the-art technology and immersive training, we ensure they remain at the cutting edge of medical advancements. Our commitment is to provide healthcare professionals with the resources they need to succeed, and this academy is a step forward in that journey.”
Meril’s educational network already includes two prominent academies: the Vapi Academy in Gujarat, serving as the central hub for Meril’s global educational initiatives, and the Delhi Academy, which caters to healthcare professionals in Northern India with specialized training programs and advanced facilities. The company has ambitious plans to expand further its educational reach with the upcoming launch of new academies across the globe, including locations in Madrid (Spain); Philadelphia (USA); Seoul (South Korea); Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia); and Kolkata, (India).
Through these academies, Meril reinforces its dedication to providing top-tier medical education, equipping healthcare professionals globally to excel in patient care and introducing innovations in surgical practices.
Chennai, August 28, 2024: The Retailers Association of India (RAI) held a landmark ‘Chennai Retail Summit 2024’ at the renowned ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, drawing together leading decision-makers and industry frontrunners from across the Indian retail sector. This year’s summit, centred on the theme “Changing World of Retail” provided an engaging platform for retail executives and service providers to explore emerging trends, share insights, and refine strategies in an ever-evolving retail landscape. The summit featured a stellar lineup of speakers, including Chockalingam S, Co-Founder & Director of Opn Advertising Pvt. Ltd.; Balachandar R, Director of Junior Kuppanna; C K Kumaravel, Co-Founder & CMD of Naturals Salon; Saurabh Kumar, CEO – Retail at Kaleesuwari Group; Gautam Saraogi, CEO of Go Fashion (India) Ltd. (Go Colors); and Madhumitha Udaykumar, Co-Founder & COO of The Indus Valley. Each speaker brought a wealth of knowledge and experience, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by the retail industry today. Speaking about the Chennai Retail Summit, Kumar Rajagopalan – Chief Executive Officer, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “Chennai Retail Summit highlights the strength of Chennai as a market that was one of the earliest adopters of the chain store model in India. Retailers from the region —across Tier 1 to Tier 3—have successfully navigated the complexities of modern retail while staying true to their cultural roots. In an industry marked by critical shifts such as time poverty and the growing demand for hyperlocal solutions, the region’s ability to retain tradition while embracing modernisation sets it apart. As consumers increasingly prioritise convenience and personalized experiences, retailers must pivot their strategies to meet these evolving needs. The ability to adapt quickly and innovate in response to these changes is what will define success in this dynamic market.” Sonali Lalvani, CEO, Toniq Retail Brands, said, “The modern retail environment demands agility and an in-depth understanding of consumer behaviour. As retail shifts from traditional brick-and-mortar to omnichannel experiences, brands that prioritise seamless customer journeys and personalized interactions will thrive in this competitive market.” Anand Bharadwaj, Co-Founder, Sweet Karam Coffee, said, “In today’s retail landscape, it’s not just about selling a product; it’s about creating a story that resonates with consumers along with the right value-added experiences. As we see a shift toward local and authentic preferences, brands that can harness the power of tradition with a contemporary twist and blend it with modern retail practices will find themselves leading the way.”
C K Kumaravel, Co-Founder & CMD, Naturals Salon: The future of retail lies in the ability to innovate using technology while staying true to your brand’s core values. In the beauty and wellness sector, this means continuously evolving our services to meet the changing needs of our customers while maintaining the essence of what makes us unique. The key is to listen, adapt, and always put the customer first. Madhumitha Udaykumar, Co-Founder & COO, The Indus Valley, said, “Indians are more likely to choose a healthy product over an unhealthy one, with an increasing preference for toxin-free and safe options. This shift accompanies a trend toward premiumization. Thankfully, today’s customers are very vocal about their needs. For retailers, this means a significant opportunity to expand their sales pie and increase gross margins by introducing these new-age offerings driven by customer demand.” The Chennai Retail Summit 2024 once again underscored RAI’s commitment to supporting the growth and advancement of the retail sector, offering a vibrant forum for industry leaders to collaborate, innovate, and drive the future of retail in India.
Around INR 25 lakhs worth mattresses will be up for grabs for Chennaites on August 31, 2024 Chennai, 27th August 2024: Chennaites, get ready to claim your dream mattress at The Sleep Company (TSC) stores on 31st August 2024. The giveaway of 100 free mattresses worth around INR 25 lakhs will take place from 11AM to 1PM on a first-come, first-served basis. For a decade-long good night’s sleep all you need to do is reach the nearest TSC store in the locations mentioned here – Nungambakkam, OMR, Anna Nagar, and Adyar. This is as part of its massive giveaway wherein the company is offering around INR 1 Crore worth of free mattresses across major metros including Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. This makes it India’s first mattress brand to announce such a huge giveaway and is a testament to the leadership’s vision of helping India sleep better. TSC recently launched its 100th store in India and is delighted to celebrate this milestone with this offer, making it a unique opportunity for Chennaites to experience the unparalleled comfort and quality of its mattress. India’s leading Comfort-Tech brand, The Sleep Company is one of the fastest D2C brands to reach the milestone of opening 100 COCO (Company-Owned, Company Operated) stores in just two years of marking its foray into offline retail business. The company opened its first store in Bengaluru in June 2022. The Sleep Company Cofounder, Priyanka Salot said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the 100th store milestone by giving away 400 free mattresses across India in our mission to help the people sleep better. In addition to Chennai, the giveaway will take place across Mumbai, Delhi-NCR and Hyderabad. In the first phase, we conducted a similar giveaway in Bengaluru, making this India’s largest mattress giveaway worth INR 1.25 crores. We are incredibly grateful to our customers, who have played an instrumental role in our growth journey and this is a true reflection of the strong bond we share with them. People across the key metros, including in Chennai, are often faced with sleep deprivation issues due to their busy and hectic lifestyles. Through this initiative, we want to provide people with an opportunity to take home our patented SmartGRID mattress and have out-of-the-world sleeping experience for over a decade.’’ Ripal Chopda, Chief Marketing Officer of The Sleep Company added, “This giveaway is our way of thanking Chennaites for their trust and loyalty, and we look forward to catering to more customers in the years to come. With the innovative and patented SmartGRID technology, our mattress provides deep and undisturbed sleep to individuals. Our omnichannel expansion across the country is to offer a superior and delightful experience to our customers and redefine the way people sleep and sit.” The Sleep Company is Asia’s first and only provider of SmartGRID technology, revolutionizing sleeping and sitting solutions. As one of the country’s fastest growing brands, it is at the forefront of reshaping both the D2C as well as the omnichannel landscape in the mattress industry. Founded in 2019 by Priyanka and Harshil Salot, the company stands true to its commitment of offering customers the best sleeping experience. In just 4.5 years since inception, The Sleep Company has achieved a significant milestone of achieving INR 500 ARR in FY24 and is well positioned to touch the INR 1000 crore mark in the next 2-3 years. The Sleep Company offers a wide range of products, including smart recliner beds, pillows, office chairs, & recliner sofas. We encourage all Chennaites to visit the designated locations early to secure their chance to win a free mattress. Locate the designated store here: https://thesleepcompany.in/pages/our-store
● Thiru. T. M. Anbarasan, Minister of MSME and Tamil Nadu Urban Habitation Development Board, and Thiru.T. Mano Thangaraj, Minister of Milk & Dairy Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, launch the vehicles ● Company opens a new showroom at Ramapuram in Chennai for the display and sale of its two-wheeler and three-wheeler models
Chennai, August, 23 2024 DION Electric Vehicles, a fast-growing smart mobility brand owned by Powertrans Mobility Ltd, has introduced two new unique e-scooter models: Augusta SP, and Asta FH. The company has also opened its new showroom in Chennai at Ramapuram. DION’s product portfolio consists of seven EV models. It has three showrooms and five service centers. Through a partnership with a service provider, customers can access vehicle servicing at 256 stations across Tamil Nadu. Thiru. T. M. Anbarasan, Minister of MSME and Tamil Nadu Urban Habitation Development Board, and Thiru. Mano Thangaraj, Minister of Milk & Dairy Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, inaugurated the two-wheeler models and the new showroom, respectively, in the presence of guests of honour: Chevalier Dr. V. G. Santhosam, Chairman of VGP Group of Companies; Ms. Rathika Selvi Venkatesh Pannaiyar, former Member of Parliament and Ex Minister, Govt of India and Mr. Prashanth Vijayamma, Director of AIOFT Ventures Limited, Bengaluru. Top management from Power Trans Mobility, including CEO Mr. S. M. Antony Thomas, Managing Director Ms. A. Anusha Margaret, and directors Ms. A. Ashika Rit and Mr. J. Vinodh Jeyaraj, took part in the event. Also present were the company’s financial advisor, Mr. CA A. John Moris, Managing Partner of A John Moris & Co Chartered Accountants and legal advisor, Mr. P. Jesus Morris Ravi, a senior advocate. Augusta SP e-scooter offers high performance with a 7.5 KW peak PMSM hub motor, reaching top speeds of 120 kmph. Safety and comfort are ensured by advanced braking systems and front telescopic suspension, with Augusta SP featuring rear spring load hydraulic suspension and Asta FH a rear mono spring load hydraulic setup. Both models include anti-theft locks, front projector LEDs, and rear LEDs for visibility.
Augusta SP boasts a 4.3 KW lithium-ion traction battery with a range of up to 110 kilometers, while Asta FH is designed for peak performance. Both vehicles charge efficiently with a 1Kva charger in just 4-5 hours, making them reliable choices for riders seeking speed and modern technology. Augusta SP has an on-road price of Rs 1,79,750, while Asta FH is priced at Rs 1,29,999. An inaugural offer provides a discount of up to Rs 22,000/- till 23 rd Sep. starting today. In his comments, Mr. S. M. Antony Thomas said, “We are thrilled to launch our two new 2-wheeler models, which are a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. These vehicles are equipped with advanced PMSM motors, cutting-edge batteries, and the latest electrical and electronic systems tailored to each model’s needs. Since our inception in 2020, we have introduced two models in both the 3- wheeler and 2-wheeler segments, and the positive market response to their performance has been incredibly encouraging. As we continue to grow, we are excited to expand our reach and establish a pan-India presence, bringing our state-of-the-art electric vehicles to more customers across the country.” Powertrans Mobility Ltd manufactures electric vehicles and their components. It also has plans to install charging and swapping stations. The company currently focuses on producing electric bikes, e-scooters, and electric loaders. It has a dedicated team for R&D, design, and manufacturing. For more details, please visit: www.dionev.com
Chennai, 23/08/2024: Action coach – the worlds largest business coaching organisation was formally inaugurated in Tamilnadu. Action coach is a Business Coaching organisation providing business insights and strategies to mentor, strengthen and build businesses in the region.
Action Coach was launched in the presence of Gaurav Maria, Chairman and Founder, Franchisee India group. He was also accompanied by group of Serial entrepreneurs & promoters of Action Coach Tamil Nadu – Sunil Sethia, Jahangeer Ahamed, Haffis Basha, Sunitha Deepak, Subhash UN & Raghav Koushik R.
Sunil Sethia, Partner, Action Coach Tamil Nadu said, “Our Vision is the positively impact and create abundance for more than one million business owners through business re-education in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry through a team of 100 plus successful action coach business coaches.”
Action Coach not only helps builds Businesses but also focuses on executive coaching. From businesses and individuals, from start-ups through to executives, their coaching programmes are designed to identify your challenges and to apply practical and results-driven solutions.
In India, Action Coach is present in 21 States, with 138 Coaches managing 650 clients and business every week. Globally Action Coach is present in 99 countries with over 3000 coaches and manage over 30000 businesses every week.
Action Coach offers one and two-day programmes on specific areas of business building. Prospective business owners can join a variety of programs based on their business goals and objectives. They could opt for a pre-existing business program and have a program tailor made for individual business requirements. In addition to Coaching, the organisation also offers a range is self help products and solutions.
The new campaign focuses on strengthening the bond between fathers and kids through storytelling.
Why are people in Tamil Nadu scanning tomatoes and pencils? Britannia Milk Bikis and Talented are to blame.
The new campaign uses AI to generate heartfelt stories in Tamil for your kids.
Britannia Milk Bikis Ft. Talented launches a first-of-its-kind AI platform that generates stories in Tamil for your kids: Adengappa Kadhaigal.
The new campaign focuses on strengthening the bond between parents and kids through storytelling.
National, 20th August 2024: As part of their ongoing platform of equal parenting, Britannia Milk Bikis has launched a campaign speaking to the dads of Tamil Nadu. Conceptualised by Talented, ‘Adengappa Kadhaigal’ (loosely translated to wow! stories) is a Gen AI powered storytelling resource that equips dads to be better storytellers for their kids.
Stemming from the thought of ‘everything around you can tell a story’, this first-of-its-kind platform uses objects commonly found in households to aid storytime. Scan any Britannia Milk Bikis pack to generate stories, both in English and Tamil. Each story comes with prompts on how to use that object as a prop to narrate stories to kids.
To highlight the importance of collaborative parenting, Britannia Milk Bikis launched the #GrowthNeedsBoth campaign last year with Prithi Ashwin and her husband R. Ashwin, alongside their two daughters. The campaign emphasises that the combined efforts of both parents as equal partners is important in ensuring the holistic growth and nourishment of the child.
Touching upon the cultural nuances of the initiative, Amit Doshi, CMO, Britannia Industries, said, “Britannia Milk Bikis has a deep rooted relationship with the state of Tamil Nadu spanning decades. This campaign is a testament to our commitment to further the equal parenting discourse and play a part in enabling parents, aided by new age technology. We’ve trained the AI model to recognize thousands of objects found in households to make stories more accessible.”
கிரிக்கெட் அணி உரிமையாளரான நடிகை கீர்த்தி சுரேஷ் !!
முன்னணி நட்சத்திர நடிகை கீர்த்தி சுரேஷ், கேரளாவில் நடைபெறவுள்ள KCL கேரள லீக் போட்டிகளில் கலந்துகொள்ளவுள்ள திருவனந்தபுரம் அணியின் இணை உரிமையாளாராகியுள்ளார். வரும் செப்டம்பர் மாதம் இப்போட்டிகள் கேரளாவில் நடைபெறவுள்ளது.
இந்தியாவில் திரைத்துறைக்கு இணையாக கிரிக்கெட்டுக்கு தீவிர ரசிகர்கள் உள்ளனர். ஐபில் போட்டிகள் மீதான மோகத்தை தொடர்ந்து, கேரளத்தில் கேரள ரசிகர்களை மகிழ்விக்கும் வகையில், கேரளாவிற்கென தனித்த கிரிக்கெட் போட்டிகள் வரும் செப்டம்பர் மாதம் நடக்கவுள்ளது.
ஐபில் போட்டி அணிகளில், நட்சத்திர நடிகர்கள் உரிமையாளர்களாக செயல்பட்டு வருவது போல், கேரள திருவனந்தபுரம் அணிக்கு உரிமையாளராக மாறி அசத்தியுள்ளார் கீர்த்தி சுரேஷ்.
கேரளாவில் கிரிக்கெட் விளையாட்டினை ஊக்கிவிக்கும் வகையிலும், திறமையான இளைஞர்களை இந்தியாவிற்கு அடையாளம் காட்டும் நோக்கிலும் இந்த KCL போட்டிகள் நடக்கவுள்ளது. 6 அணிகள் கலந்துகொள்ளும் 33 போட்டிகளுக்கான அட்டவணை விரைவில் அறிவிக்கப்படவுள்ளது.
KCL கேரளா கிரிக்கெட் போட்டிகளுக்கான அம்பாஸிடராக, முன்னணி நட்சத்திர நடிகர் மோகன்லால் செயல்படுகிறார்.
கேரளாவின் முக்கிய நகரங்களிலிருந்து மொத்தமாக 6 அணிகள் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டு இந்த போட்டிகளில் கலந்துகொள்ளவுள்ளன. மொத்தமாக 33 போட்டிகள் நடத்த திட்டமிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த மொத்த போட்டிகளும் ஸ்டார் ஸ்போர்ட்ஸ் சேனலில் நேரடியாக ஒளிபரப்படவுள்ளது. ஐபில் போலவே பல நட்சத்திரங்களும், பிஸினஸ் ஐகான்களும் இப்போட்டிகளில் கலந்துகொண்டு ஊக்குவிக்கவுள்ளனர். விரைவில் போட்டி அணிகள், போட்டி அட்டவணைகள், வீரர்கள் அறிமுகம், மற்றும் விவரங்கள் அதிகாரப்பூர்வமாக வெளியாகும்.
இந்த போட்டிகள் ஸ்டார் ஸ்போர்ட்ஸ் 1ல் நேரலையில் ஒளிபரப்பாகவுள்ளது, முதல் போட்டி, அரையிறுதி மற்றும் இறுதிப் போட்டிகள் மட்டும் ஏசியாநெட் சேனலில் ஒளிபரப்பப்படும் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
In an industry-first, Ongo has installed unique card dispensers with UPI feature to facilitate these ready-to-use ‘Ongo Ride’ cards at select CMRL metro stations.
Chennai, August 14, 2024: Ongo, the digital payments platform of AGS Transact Technologies (BSE: 543451 & NSE: AGSTRA), one of India’s leading integrated omnichannel payments providers, today announced the launch of ‘Ongo Ride’, an instant National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) at Chennai Metro Rail Corporation (CMRL). Ongo has installed unique card dispensers at 13 select Chennai metro stations to facilitate instant issuance of ready-to-use ‘Ongo Ride’ cards and provide commuters an enhanced travel experience. In due course, the company will look at issuing ‘Ongo Ride’ at additional metro stations in Chennai.
The key USP of ‘Ongo Ride’ is the instant card issuance process. Commuters can purchase ‘Ongo Ride’ cards for Rs 100 from these card dispensers in three easy steps: Select Card – Pay via UPI – Collect ready-to-use ‘Ongo Ride’ card. Each card comes preloaded with a balance of Rs 50. Commuters can conveniently top up their ‘Ongo Ride’ cards at ticket counters across all Chennai metro stations. This streamlined process offers a quick over-the-counter experience encouraging faster adoption of NCMCs across India.
Chennai Metro is one of the 12 metro systems in the country that are NCMC enabled and has a peak monthly ridership of 95+ lakh, and 35+ lakh closed-loop metro card users as of July 2024. ‘Ongo Ride’, a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), offers commuter a unified payment solution which seamlessly integrates various transportation modes such as metros, buses & water ferries as well as at parking and toll booths. Further, it does not require full KYC, as per the updated RBI guidelines, for making transit payments, promising a more efficient commuting experience.
Mr. Ravi B. Goyal, Chairman & Managing Director, AGS Transact Technologies Limited, said, “we are thrilled to launch ‘Ongo Ride’, an instant National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) designed for the modern-day commuter at Chennai Metro. Metro railways are a cornerstone of urban mobility infrastructure, with India experiencing a daily metro ridership of approximately 10 million. At AGS Transact, we believe that NCMCs have the potential to transform mobility across the nation. With our unique NCMC card dispensers, we are simplifying the issuance process, and through ‘Ongo Ride’ we are enabling seamless access to all NCMC-enabled transit services. Our goal is to provide unparalleled convenience for commuters on the go.”
Chennai , 13 August 2024: As champions of sustainability, globally, Toyota is committed to Carbon Neutrality by 2050 and aims to achieve Net Zero Carbon in Manufacturing Operations by 2035 guided by Toyota Environmental Challenges 2050 (TEC 2050). Today, marking the World Biofuel Day, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) reiterates its commitment to sustainable mobility. The company has been advancing greener mobility solutions with greater agility by introducing and supporting multiple clean technologies considering various factors such as the current energy mix, unique consumer needs, infrastructure readiness, and the Government’s diversified efforts towards becoming ‘Atma Nirbhar’ in energy by 2047.
India is the fastest growing large economy. The country’s fossil fuel consumption along with imports is also rising rapidly, wherein the crude oil imports during April 2024 rose to its third highest level on record. India, world’s third largest energy consumer imported 21.4 million tonnes (mt) of crude oil in April ’24 & total 232.5 million tonnes of imported crude oil in 2023-24 fiscal (Source: April 2024 PPAC Data). Due to a large increase in mobility needs, the transport sector, which currently accounts for about 50% of oil demand (Source: IEA 2021), will be the most significant contributor to this. The higher fossil fuel consumption is also bound to result in larger carbon emissions. Therefore, it is imperative to rapidly shift away from fossil fuels with utmost urgency.
Towards sustainable and greener future, transition to technologies that use cleaner energy such as electrification and alternate fuels (biofuel) is vital. Biofuels play a critical role in ensuring access to affordable and sustainable energy. This provides a big opportunity for India to tackle energy security concerns, boost economic growth and combat climate change by lowering carbon emissions.
India is well endowed with renewable energy, surplus sugar, food grains, and biomass which offers huge opportunities for a transition to a cleaner energy future, which is also indigenous. The abundantly available sugarcane, excess food grains, along with huge biomass waste can be used to produce ethanol that can substitute a significant amount of fossil fuel used by vehicles in the shortest possible time.
Additionally, India has big potential for ethanol production, making it an economically attractive alternative to fossil fuels and paving the way for a greener future, by using plant waste or residues like Parali through 2G technology which is otherwise burnt causing widespread pollution in northern parts of India. This has already started and can help derive economic value from waste & generate greater wealth for the agrarian economy by increasing farmer incomes and create new jobs. Further support such as research and development, favourable policy framework, etc., will enable uninterrupted supply of ethanol for the transportation sector.
Notably, in June 2024, ethanol blending with petrol reached 15.90% and cumulative ethanol blending during November 2023-June 2024 touched 13.0%. E20 is available at ‘14,611’ PSU (public sector undertaking) outlets as of June ’24 and is on track to achieve 20% blending by 2025. The implementation of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025-26 is expected to substitute 86 million barrels of gasoline, thereby leading to forex savings of over Rs. 30,000 crores for India, as well as likely reduction of more than 20 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions. E20 fuel will also reduce PM2.5 emissions by up to 14% as compared to petrol (Source: MoPNG). Given the huge potential of ethanol production that exists up to and beyond E20, these benefits can increase multi-fold with the introduction of Flexi Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology, that can flexibly use higher ethanol blends from 20% and above, going up to 100%.
However, the challenge with Flex Fuel Vehicles is lower fuel efficiency of Ethanol due to its lower energy density. Globally to counter this challenge, Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV-SHEVs) are being introduced, as an advanced green technology that has both the flex fuel engine as well as an electric powertrain. Therefore, as in the case of a Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV), the use of the electric powertrain in combination with the flex fuel engine overcomes this challenge with enhanced fuel efficiency. Towards this, last year, TKM unveiled the prototype of World’s first BS6 Stage II Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle. This green vehicle technology has the lowest well-to-wheel carbon emissions, and a favourable policy support can establish strong traction with consumers, thereby make the mobility sustainable.
Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Biofuel can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and yield environmental and economic benefits. In this context, Ethanol, as an indigenous and clean energy source, holds immense potential for India’s energy security and environmental goals. By significantly reducing fossil fuel consumption and cutting down on carbon emissions, ethanol not only supports our national agenda of carbon neutrality but also bolsters the agrarian economy by creating jobs and increasing farmer incomes. At TKM, we are making relentless efforts towards the future of sustainable mobility by adopting a multiple technology pathway approach which includes biofuel energy driven vehicle powertrains i.e., Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) and Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FFV-SHEV) technology.
As a frontrunner in electrified vehicle technology and a socially responsible corporate entity, TKM will persistently drive its endeavours and contribute to progressive innovations by disseminating sustainable technological advancements, thereby providing ‘Mobility for All’ and “Leaving No One Behind.”
Further, emphasising the significance of multiple energy pathway approach towards achieving carbon neutrality, today, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) took part in the SIAM International Conference, themed “The Biofuel Revolution in India: Fuelling Tomorrow” that covered a series of sessions on biofuel demand and supply management, preparing the auto industry for a biofuel future, and developing a robust ecosystem for biofuel adoption. The event witnessed eminent speakers from the government and the industry, as well as participation by global experts.
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