The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) launched the project on development of ‘Motor Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool (Bharat VECTO) for Real Drive Fuel Consumption/CO2 Emissions’, a landmark project in India’s homologation process, at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. ARAI is showcasing its technology and services at stall no H11-04, Bharat Mandapam; stall no H2-02, Yashobhoomi and stall no H1-A14, India Expo Centre & Mart from 17 to 22 January 2025.

Minister of Road, Transport and Highway Shri Nitin Gadkari; Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI; P K Banerjee, Chief Executive Director, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and Dr Sukrut S. Thipse, Senior Deputy Director – ARAI and Bharat VECTO Project Leader graced the event.

In accordance with Europe, the United States, Japan, China and other countries, the developed Bharat VECTO will be used to compute the realistic fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs) (GVW > 3.5 tonnes) on a driving cycle basis. The BS-VII regulation will include it. Various mission profiles will be created under the Bharat VECTO project to address all HDV classifications, driving styles, road topography etc. Before being finalised for usage, the created tool will be tested on a few vehicle classifications. Along with project partners, ARAI will make every effort to create Bharat VECTO. It will be made available in Bharat Stage-VII and will serve cars powered by internal combustion engines, electric vehicles (EVs), fuel cell EVs and flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) in a phased way.

At Bharat Mandapam, a concept demo of the Over-Head Automated Charging Device (OH-ACD), one of ARAI's projects in collaboration with IIT-Madras, is on exhibit. Fast charging is possible with the 600-kW charging power, 1000V voltage and 600A current, which is made to satisfy the needs of the changing transportation environment. In addition to OH-ACD, the company is showcasing its in-house ADAS Validation Platform, a Light Commercial Vehicle with a 117 HP engine and an E-Axle for European customers and a Training Kit for the Battery Management System.

Stall number H2-02, Yashobhoomi, lists ARAI's specialised service portfolio for certification and support in developmental validation for components, systems and sub-systems. Along with engine models and lightweight components from the ARAI Fatigue Material Centre of Excellence, ARAI is also exhibiting the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS) Bike and Battery Management System Kit, which was constructed by ARAI engineers.

Dr Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI, said, “It is a great pleasure to host Hon’ble Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari and have his presence for the launch of Bharat VECTO project. Ministry of Road Transport and Highway has played a significant role in enabling ARAI guide the auto industry towards one direction. Hence, ‘Motor Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool for Real Drive Fuel Consumption/CO2 Emissions’ will be instrumental in accelerating the momentum for industry-wide adoption of green mobility. ARAI, while being a major stakeholder in homologation and developmental testing and standardisation has also been fundamental in innovating technologies for sustainable mobility like Over-Head Automated Charging Device, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Powertrain, which are at display at Bharat Mobility Global Expo. We are thrilled to showcase these technologies and drive conversations for greener tomorrow.”

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In a move that signals a seismic shift in global trade dynamics, the European Union and India today concluded negotiations for a historic and ‘commercially significant’ Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As the largest deal ever brokered by either side, the pact creates a massive free trade zone encompassing 2 billion people and the world's second and fourth largest economies.

While the agreement spans sectors from agriculture to pharmaceuticals, it is the automotive industry that stands as the centrepiece of this industrial realignment.

Cracking the 110% tariff wall

For decades, European automakers have struggled against India’s formidable trade barriers. Under the new agreement, these hurdles are set to crumble. India has committed to a radical reduction in car tariffs, which currently sit at a staggering 110 percent. According to the official release, these duties will be gradually slashed to as low as 10 percent.

Furthermore, the deal provides a massive boost to the automotive supply chain. Tariffs on car parts – a critical sector for European manufacturers – will be fully abolished within a 5-to-10-year window. This move is expected to integrate Indian and European manufacturing hubs more closely than ever before.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the deal as a milestone for rules-based cooperation. "The EU and India make history today. We have sent a signal to the world that rules-based cooperation still delivers great outcomes," she said.

With a population of 1.45 billion and a GDP of EUR 3.4 trillion, India is currently the world’s fastest-growing large economy. This FTA grants European carmakers and industrial firms a ‘privileged access’ that no other Indian trading partner currently enjoys.

Beyond the finished vehicles, the deal addresses the broader industrial ecosystem:

• Machinery & Chemicals: Tariffs of up to 44 percent on machinery and 22 percent on chemicals will be mostly eliminated.
• SME Support: Dedicated contact points will be established to help smaller European component manufacturers navigate the Indian market.
• Intellectual Property: The agreement guarantees high-level protection for designs and trade secrets, providing the legal certainty required for high-tech automotive transfers and R&D investment.

The deal is not merely about volume; it is about the future of mobility. A dedicated chapter on trade and sustainable development focuses on climate change and environmental protection.

To support India’s transition toward sustainable industrialisation – a move critical for the electric vehicle (EV) sector – the EU intends to provide EUR 500 million in support over the next two years. Additionally, a new EU-India platform for climate action cooperation is slated to launch in early 2026, likely serving as a catalyst for joint ventures in green hydrogen and battery technology.

The EU expects the deal to double its goods exports to India by 2032, saving European businesses approximately EUR 4 billion per year in duties.

The path to implementation now moves to the legal and political stage. The negotiated texts will undergo legal revision and translation before being presented to the European Council and the European Parliament for consent. On the Indian side, the agreement will move toward formal ratification.

After nearly two decades of stop-and-start negotiations – beginning in 2007 and relaunching in 2022 – the road is finally clear for a new era of Euro-Indian industrial synergy.

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Birla Carbon is set to showcase its innovative Nanocyl range of multi-walled carbon nanotube solutions at NanoTech 2026 in Tokyo, Japan, held from 28 to 30 January. The company’s presence at Booth 3W-A11 highlights a commitment to providing advanced materials that enhance performance and sustainability for industries including automotive, electronics, energy storage and transportation. Through the Nanocyl brand, a global leader in MWCNTs, Birla Carbon offers formulations that improve material efficiency, enable significant cost optimisation and support energy savings.

A key focus will be the NC7000 MWCNT, recognised for its high electrical conductivity, superior processability and strong mechanical property retention. Its UV resistance and exceptional cleanliness make it suitable for demanding industrial and advanced applications. Beyond the base material, Birla Carbon will showcase specialised engineered formulations that address specific industry challenges. These include thermoplastic concentrates for conductive polymers, elastomer masterbatches for durable static control and epoxy-based systems that improve conductivity with processing flexibility. The portfolio also features eco-friendly aqueous dispersions and specialised solvent dispersions tailored for energy storage applications, responding to the growing demand for sustainable and efficient conductive solutions.

This participation underscores Birla Carbon’s dedication to innovation-led growth and its commitment to developing advanced materials that meet evolving market demands. Visitors are invited to explore how these MWCNT technologies can enable new possibilities and support future growth in their own projects.

Laurent Kosbach, CEO, Nanocyl, said, “Nanotechnology is a powerful enabler of material innovation. Through the Nanocyl range of carbon nanotubes, we are advancing material properties such as electrostatic discharge (ESD), electrical conductivity, mechanical reinforcement and thermal dissipation across a wide range of materials. Nanotech 2026 provides an important platform to engage with global partners and demonstrate how our engineered formulations are already delivering value across demanding industries.”

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Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced the return of the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan (SSA) 2026. This campaign brings together figures from the film industry to address road safety through a public awareness initiative. The ministry will host a telethon on 25 January in Mumbai to mark the fourth year of the programme.

Notable participants joining the movement include Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Kay Kay Menon, Shankar Mahadevan and Swanand Kirkire. Data from the ministry shows that India recorded 487,707 road crashes in 2024, leading to 177,175 deaths. Figures indicate that adults between 18 and 45 years old represent over two-thirds of these fatalities.

The theme for SSA 2026 is 'Kartavya' (Duty), which frames road safety as a shared responsibility. The tagline for the initiative is ‘Parvaah Se, Kartavya Tak’. The 2026 edition operates on four pillars: Kartavya (Duty), Kayda (Discipline), Kavach (Shield) and Kranti (Change). These are intended to influence road user behaviour across the country.

Factors contributing to fatalities include overspeeding, rash driving, overtaking, jaywalking and the non-use of helmets and seatbelts. The campaign also highlights the failure to provide assistance during the golden hour. The initiative aims to use conversations and performances to encourage the public to follow road regulations.

The event is designed to move from awareness to action within the road ecosystem. The telethon will be broadcast on CNN-News18 on 25th January from 11:00 am onwards.

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Sue Bai, Chief Engineer at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., has been elected to the SAE International Board of Directors.

She serves as the Director at Large for the 2026-2027 term, Bai is the second representative from Honda to join the governing body. Her appointment follows a career focused on the research and deployment of mobility technologies.

Bai manages the Sustainability & Business Development unit at American Honda. Her previous experience includes leading data business for the Digital Service Development Division, where she analysed transportation data to assist road infrastructure and traffic environments. Since joining Honda R&D Americas in 2004, she has held leadership positions at the Honda Research Institute USA and the Automobile Technology Division.

Within SAE International, Bai has chaired technical committees for Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) standards. These protocols aim to coordinate safety for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. She has also acted as the technical lead for industry-government projects, including the Ohio Smart Mobility Corridor, a test bed for connected safety systems.

SAE International is a global network that develops consensus standards and provides career development for engineers. Bai has been a member for nearly 20 years and has received honours including the SAE Top Contributor of the Year in 2021 and 2022, as well as the James M. Crawford Executive Standards Committee Outstanding Achievement Award.

Bai holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Michigan. Her work has spanned Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and automated vehicle research.

Sue Bai, said, “I’m honoured to be elected to the SAE International Board of Directors. SAE plays a vital role in bringing engineers together to solve complex mobility challenges, and I look forward to further contributing to work that advances knowledge and solutions for the benefit of society.”

The SAE Board of Directors oversees the organisation’s mission to connect members through standards and learning opportunities. Bai’s term will focus on the application of engineering knowledge to address mobility issues.

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