Hybrid EV has a role between ICE and pure EVs

German automotive giant Bosch is working tirelessly in the electric vehicles realm, as India marches ahead for its 2030 ambition. Soumitra Bhattacharya, Managing Director of Bosch Limited, and President of Bosch India Group, believes that hybrid electric vehicles will play a dominant role between the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and pure electric vehicles in the future in India.

The company has announced its plans to significantly increase localisation of its electrified portfolio in the country, by introducing its latest mobility solutions for the Indian market.

Over a chat with Sandesh MS of DH on the sidelines of Auto Expo 2018, Bhattacharya says he expects that ICE will dominate the auto scene for a decade longer. Edited excerpts:

Please share some specialities of the electric car that Bosch demonstrated at the expo?

Firstly, I would like to clarify that Bosch is not manufacturing the car, rather it's a Bosch-powered electric car. The main component it contains is the e-axle, which is a three-in-one system accommodation between the inverter, a motor, and an integrated gearbox. The complete EV powered car demonstrated by us proves that we have complete systems knowledge to showcase EVs for four-wheelers, just as we have already become successful with two- and three-wheelers.

What are your thoughts about transitioning to a future with electric cars?

Electric cars will come in definitely, but it will come slowly. The Bosch view is by 2030, worldwide, the pure EVs will be 10% on the base case, and best case is 18%. On the one hand, it will be a huge market, but ICE will still remain dominant. We also believe that the hybrid EV will play a role between the ICE and pure EV in the future.

How do you view the jump from BS-IV to BS-VI as good?

Other countries took 8 years to jump from BS-IV to BS-VI, but in India, we have done it in just three years. The knocks and particulate matters reduced massively to the extent of 90%. On the one hand, ICE engines are becoming cleaner, safer, and more efficient, and on the other hand, there is also scope to play with hybrid electric vehicles.

What is the thought behind Bosch bringing in automation and connectivity?

Our parent started working on electric vehicles 10 years ago. Now, Bosch's aim is not just to bring in electrification, but also automation and connectivity. So it's about creating an entire ecosystem.

Have any companies approached Bosch for the latest mobility solutions?

Currently, talks are on. We will be revealing anything once the details are finalised. In case of two- and three-wheelers, we are ready to go with some of our partners in the near future.

What about Bosch-powered Heavy Traffic Vehicles (HTV)?

In the HTV perspective, let's talk about buses. It's assumed that when electrification comes for buses, they are very likely to be intra-city not intercity.

It's not as easy as charging the batteries of cars, but we need charging points at many places, as they are non-removable. Fleets are likely to come for charging, and not individual vehicles. Of course, we have a dominant role to play here, because we know how to take care of the total management of the ecosystem, but it all depends on policies and what we need to do.

What is the government's role in this?

Infrastructure development!

The government has to define the policy and a rollout of how charging infrastructure will pan. It should be first tested in selected cities, and later it can extend to other cities. This can also happen through the PPP route.

On the basis of global trends, what is the future of EVs in India?

Worldwide, it has remained dominant for quite sometime. Since Hybrid EVs and pure EVs have come in, we believe the road map for electrification is on strong ground.