Nagesh Basavanhalli, Vice-Chairman of Greaves Cotton, reflects on the company’s broad commitment to making a tangible difference, stating that Greaves is fundamentally a purpose-driven organization. The company’s mission revolves around touching a billion lives, with a core focus on empowering individuals. According to him, this is not just a tagline, but a deeply embedded approach that places consumers at the heart of the integrated automotive ecosystem, driving sustainable mobility across the entire value chain. At every step of this value chain, Greaves Cotton seeks to impact lives, aiming to deliver solutions that not only offer the right cost proposition but also guarantee optimal uptime and accessibility for the masses.
Democratising Sustainable Mobility
He notes that the overarching goal is to democratize sustainable mobility, with the larger vision being to improve lives by offering effective, long-lasting solutions. Greaves Cotton aligns itself with the nation’s broader sustainability efforts, including the ambitious Panchamrit target. In this context, Basavanhalli highlights their focus on multi-fuel, flexible powertrain solutions—embracing CNG, biodiesel, ethanol, and electric options—noting that it’s not just about one solution, but a mix of approaches that bolster both energy security and support renewable energy.
Clean Energy Commitment
On the subject of Greaves’ contribution to clean energy, he mentions the company’s investment in solar power, which is installed across several factories. This initiative, he points out, generates approximately 50 lakh units annually, thereby significantly reducing carbon intensity. The company’s commitment to sustainability also extends to its community efforts, where over 5,000 trees have been planted, and water conservation practices are implemented at their plants, demonstrating a strong sense of corporate responsibility.
EV Adoption in India
Turning to India’s goals for electric vehicle (EV) adoption by 2030, Basavanhalli acknowledges the significant progress made by both the government and certain state bodies in encouraging EV uptake. However, he also suggests that further work is needed—particularly in terms of local manufacturing, policy support, consumer education, and infrastructure development. Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic, believing that India is on the right path and that the future looks promising.
Union Budget 2025
Looking ahead to the upcoming Union Budget for 2025, Basavanhalli highlights a few areas that need attention. He stresses the importance of strengthening green mobility infrastructure, particularly the charging network in both urban and rural areas. Additionally, he underscores the need to foster research and development (R&D), improve manufacturing capabilities, and, crucially, invest in upskilling people to ensure they are prepared for the evolving landscape. As he concludes, these areas will be key in advancing sustainable mobility and securing long-term success for the sector.
