With India looking very positively at becoming a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles (EV), joint venture partners are looking very closely at Hambantota International Port (HIP) as the key transshipment point for their markets in the east and west of the island.
HIP participated in the recently held ‘ET Auto Electric Vehicle Conclave 2023’ organised in Delhi and on the sidelines of the conference, they were able to connect with a large number of potential customers who would see the advantages of transshipping through Hambantota International Port.
“While location is a key factor, our health and safety protocols and zero tolerance to accidents is an attractive proposition for those who wish to use this southern Sri Lankan port,” says Bindu Ranasinghe, Deputy General Manager (Commercial and Marketing), Hambantota International Port Group Pvt Ltd. (HIPG) who attended the event held under the theme ‘Plug-In For Efficient Adoption’.
In this backdrop, the Sri Lanka government has decided to introduce Electric buses and three-wheelers as part of a “system change” to reduce the dependency on fuel operated motor vehicles.
Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that battery powered electric buses are to be introduced to the Sri Lanka Transport Board as a pilot project.
He said that the Cabinet approved a resolution put forward by him regarding the implementation of a public-private partnership project for the operation of battery powered electric buses by the Sri Lanka Transport Board covering the Western Province centered on the commercial city of Colombo and the Gampaha district.
The implementation of the pilot project will be based on a formal feasibility study.Gunawardena also said that tenders have been called for, to convert 300 three-wheelers into electric vehicles with the assistance of the UNDP.
The Minister said that the Government is also looking at having electric trains in Sri Lanka.adding that Sri Lanka cannot address environment issues and the fuel issue without a “system change” by switching to electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, an initiative by ETAuto.com India, the conference was partnered by big names in the auto, tech and logistics industries. Speakers at the forum included the founder & CEO of Ola Electric, Managing Director, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited, and the Managing Director of Volvo Car India.
Other top brands in the industry also participated including Hero Electric, JBM Group, Lumax Group, Reliance Industries, Greaves Electric Mobility, Maruti Suzuki, Kinetic Green, and Panasonic India.
Bindu Ranasinghe had the opportunity to be part of the panel discussion on “Building a sustainable and self-reliant supply chain,” and also made a presentation on HIP’s developments and potential.
Since HIP sees beyond logistics and shipping, we need to understand the source market and the nuances involved in the marketing and manufacturing of electric vehicles and also connect with the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
