To play a crucial role in transforming mobility and transportation landscape in India, the 8th edition of NGV India Summit 2024 commenced yesterday and will conclude today at NDMC Convention Centre, New Delhi focusing on ‘Navigating India’s Clean Mobility Transition’. The two-day conference has brought together industry stakeholders from the energy and automotive sides and government officials to discuss, explore synergies and leverage opportunities.
With an esteemed panel of dignitaries, the NGV India Summit was inaugurated by Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, Govt. of India; Mr. Ashim Sharma, Senior Partner & Group Head, Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Consulting & Solutions India Pvt Ltd; Dr Kirit S Parikh (Padama Bhushan), Chairman, Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe), and former Member Planning Commission, Govt. of India; Mr. Sandeep Jain, Executive Director (Gas Business), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd; Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); Mr. T Surya Kiran, Executive Director, Association of State Road Transport Undertakings; Mr. Kapil Kumar Jain, Executive Director (Mktg-Retail LNG), GAIL (India) Ltd; and Mr. Kushal Sharma, Division Head & Member of Extended Board of Management, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Ltd.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest – Dr Hanif Qureshi highlighted various schemes of the government that are supporting the growth in this sector. He said: “The growth in the automobile sector usually come from the production and usability in the country but it has to be export led growth as well and that is why various schemes of the government is meant to increase the productions as well as the export. The future of the automobile sector is optimistic, the growth in the overall sector will be around 7 to 8 percent in the future but the growth of the clean technologies will be much faster than this. Therefore, our Prime Minister has talked about clean technology and greener future for mobility and which includes power, gas, and flex fuel driven vehicles.”
In his theme address on ‘Navigating India’s Clean Mobility Transition’ was led by Mr Ashim Sharma who emphasized the critical role of NGVs in India’s journey towards a cleaner and greener future. He said: “India has been able to diversified LNG both from traditional gas trading partners to many other countries coming into this field. Also, the hike in the pricing that was experienced due to Russia conflict are not there any longer and we see moderation in LNG price that has been delivered to us.”
While delivering the special address at the conference, Dr. Kirit S Parikh answered the crucial question of why India wants complete e-mobility, He said: “There are lot of challenges in achieving complete e-mobility but we need it to reduce the CO2 emissions not just at the local level but at the global level which is caused by petroleum driven vehicles. The CO2 emission without any policy intervention is around 500 million tons per annum today and will be 700 million tons per annum by 2030. I think using natural gas for vehicles is a transitional solution, it’s not giving us completely pollution free or carbon free systems in the vehicles. so, electric mobility may be considered as intended solution.”
The Industry Leadership Address was delivered by Mr Sandeep Jain who briefed the audience on the growth of the NGV sector. He said: “Transportation is growing at a fast pace in this country, in the last financial year approx. 22.38 crores vehicles were registered. The Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV) and medium segment are also growing at 10 to 12 percent which contributes as a major part of the transportation. Very soon the penetration of gas will take place in entire country. Last year the growth in the natural gas sector was 11 to 12 percent, however the growth in City Gas Distribution (CGD) sector was more than that. CGD sector is growing at a fast pace and it is estimated that in another 6 to 7 years, 9 to 10 million metric tons will grow to approx. 25 million metric tons.”
The summit also witnessed release of the White Paper on ‘Revolutionizing Transportation: Embracing Natural Gas & Alternative Fuels for Clean Mobility’ by Mr Ashim Sharma, on the key findings around the NGV sector.
Commenting on the inauguration Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director and Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd, expressed: “The alternate/cleaner mobility fuels sector is playing a pivotal role in India with tremendous potential to transform India’s mobility and transportation landscape. We are honoured to welcome the distinguished line-up of speakers from the industry and government bodies who will collaboratively strategise ways to navigate through the Clean Fuels, based on India’s current state in mobility, infrastructure and energy resources.”
The NGV India Summit 2024 will conclude today with more sessions focusing on CNG Economics, Alternate fuel infrastructure expansion and other important areas to promote the growth of clean mobility and transportation.
