The automotive industry world over faces significant sustainability challenges, including high carbon and other particulate emissions, depleting resources, supply chain complexities and slower pace of transition to cleaner and greener mobility. Indian automotive industry over and above has additional challenges, where gaps in recycling infrastructure, hazardous waste disposal and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) management further obstructs sustainability in the sector. The balance between cost and greener technologies is much trickier to handle.

To bring national attention to this burning topic, a Sustainable Mobility Conclave 2025, is planned at NATRAX, Indore, which isn’t just another conference but a movement to reimagine, redesign and reinvent how Indian automotive carve out its sustainable future path.

The mission: A circular, sustainable and low-emission future

With its core theme, ‘Recycling, Circularity and Sustainability in Mobility’, the conclave seeks to align the Indian automotive ecosystem with global best practices on environmental responsibility. The event aims to be a catalyst for change – putting focus on how vehicles and its associated components are designed, manufactured, consumed and, ultimately, responsibly retired.

In view of the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Management Rules and a rising need for compliance under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the conclave arrives at a critical juncture.

Why this conclave?

India is poised to witness 80 million EVs on the road by 2030. But without parallel efforts in circular economy practices, recycling infrastructure and emission reduction, green mobility may not be truly green. The European Union already recovers 95 percent of vehicle materials from scrapped vehicles, a benchmark India must realistically chase.

Switching to recycled materials, embracing bio-based alternatives and integrating green energy into manufacturing are not just environmental mandates anymore – they are strategic business moves. Reduction in import dependency and a stable supply chain is the need of the hour.

What to expect?

This two-day summit is designed to bring together a powerful mix of automotive manufacturers, recyclers, government leaders, startups and academic minds. And the agenda? Packed with purpose.

Day 1 highlights:

• Session 1: Circular economy lessons – Tapping into waste as a resource, with a strong focus on e-waste, industrial scrap and auto components.
• Session 2: Nature’s waste into products – How bamboo, fruit pulp, seaweed and more are being transformed into auto-grade materials.
• Session 3: From policy to practice – Bridging gaps between regulation and action; featuring deep dives into ESG, green data centres and the Right to Repair.
• Session 4: Industry success stories – Real-world case studies from top OEMs on implementing sustainable systems.

Day 2 focus areas:

• Session 5: Beyond metals – Innovation in plastic, rubber and fibre reuse.
• Session 6: Sustainability education – Building a green-ready workforce.
• Session 7: Organisational sustainability – How automotive companies are embedding sustainability into their DNA.
• Session 8: Leadership reflections – A unique dialogue on the societal impact of green mobility transitions.

Join the movement

The Sustainable Mobility Conclave 2025 isn’t just about talks. It’s about transformation. Whether you’re an OEM, policymaker, recycling expert, student or sustainability advocate, this is where the narrative of Indian future mobility is getting actively debated and jointly co-created.

Because sustainability isn’t a choice anymore. It’s the only road ahead!

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samagra Shikshana Karnataka (Department of School Education and Literacy), Government of Karnataka, to strengthen vocational education for students in Grades 9 to 12.

The collaboration aims to link education with industry, provide students with experience in automobile technology and address the demand for skilled workers. The initiative will also focus on the development of school students.

The programme will be carried out in eight government schools across seven districts of Karnataka, reaching more than 800 students. The schools are located in Kudur and Kanakapura (Bengaluru South), Peenya (Bengaluru Urban), Bagepalli (Chikkaballapur), Byadagi (Haveri), Harapanahalli (Vijayanagara), Turvihal (Raichur) and Haliyal (Uttara Kannada).

The MoU was signed in the presence of K Vidya Kumari, IAS, State Project Director, Samagra Shikshana Karnataka, MR Maruti, KAS, Director (Quality), SSK and A Ramesh Rao, Vice-President, External Affairs-Karnataka & Corporate Social Responsibility, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

The partnership includes teacher training through a comprehensive Train-the-Trainer programme, which will give faculty members exposure to Toyota’s manufacturing and learning processes. TKM will also set up automobile skill laboratories in the schools to deliver practical, industry-specific knowledge. Students will also gain exposure to industrial environments and company practices, promoting discipline, a safety mindset and respect for people.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has virtually inaugurated the Mahindra Tractors Skill Development Centre in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra.

The initiative is a major effort to empower rural youth by providing them with industry-relevant skills and opening up new employment opportunities in the region.

The new centre was established by Mahindra Tractors, India’s leading tractor brand, at the Government ITI college in Gadchiroli. It is a collaborative effort with the Department of Vocational Education & Training (DVET) and the Maharashtra State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), aligning with the national and state focus on skill development.

The centre will focus on giving the local youth industry-ready skills by providing a structured curriculum, modern technical equipment and hands-on experience in various aspects of tractor and farm machinery. The programme aims to boost local livelihoods by creating career opportunities in the ecosystem, including assembly roles at manufacturing plants and service positions at dealerships.

Veejay Nakra, President – Farm Equipment Business, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “We at Mahindra are deeply honoured that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Mahindra Tractor Skill Development Centre in Gadchiroli. Maharashtra is not just a leading industrial centre, but a state that is deeply connected to the Farm Sectors growth journey. It is a matter of great pride for us to partner with the Government of Maharashtra, creating a future where our rural communities are uplifted by cultivating skills and harvesting hope.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

As a key contributor to India’s rail modernisation, Pinnacle Industries has been selected as the official partner by Indian Railways to design and manufacture the sleeper berths and executive seating for the new Amrit Bharat Express. This partnership aligns with the train's role as a transformative, high-speed and affordable option for long-distance travel across the country.

The seating solutions developed by Pinnacle are the result of extensive ergonomic engineering, created to provide superior comfort, safety and longevity. They are specifically optimised to perform reliably in both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned coaches. A primary focus has been placed on passenger well-being for extended journeys, achieved through enhanced cushion thickness in both seats and berths. The design also incorporates refined aesthetics with improved colour schemes and features like aluminium extrusions for the upper berths.

Safety is a critical component of the design, which includes specialised anti-injury fittings integrated into the seats and berths to minimise potential risks. Furthermore, all materials fully comply with the stringent fire safety standard EN45545-2 HL3, meeting Indian Railways' rigorous requirements for fire-retardant properties. Leveraging decades of expertise in mobility interiors, this project reinforces Pinnacle Industries' position at the forefront of developing world-class transportation solutions for India.

Arihant Mehta, President, Pinnacle Industries, said, “We are honoured to be a part of this visionary initiative by Indian Railways. Our seating solutions for the Amrit Bharat Express reflect our commitment to designing products that combine comfort, safety and innovation while being proudly Made in India. With this, we continue to drive India’s vision of modern, accessible and reliable public transport.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Society for Automotive Fitness & Environment (SAFE), an initiative of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), held its 26th annual convention today to address the urgent need for road safety and a transition to green mobility. Held at Bharat Mandapam, the event, themed ‘Together for Safe Roads and Green Mobility: Building a Sustainable India,’ brought together government officials, industry leaders and experts.

Rekha Gupta, the Chief Minister of Delhi, was the Chief Guest and emphasised that accidents are a result of driver behaviour, not vehicles. "We must shed the mindset that breaking rules is a badge of pride," she said.

She also highlighted Delhi's commitment to clean mobility, with a goal of electrifying 100 percent of its public transport by 2026. The Chief Minister also launched SAFE's new Road Safety Context Paper and a new initiative to involve college students in road safety.

In a video message, H D Kumaraswamy, the Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, noted that the government has invested over INR 600 billion to boost domestic manufacturing and support clean energy adoption.

Sushant Naik, President of SAFE, stressed that safety must be a core part of design and manufacturing. "Over 173,000 lives are lost each year, a stark reminder that action should be urgent and collective," he said. He emphasised that road safety requires the collaboration of the five ‘Es: Education, Engineering, Emergency Care, Enforcement and Evaluation’.

Speakers, including Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), highlighted the need for a comprehensive accident database and a unified system to link driver licensing, vehicle registration and enforcement.

Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, a member of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, pointed out that accidents rose in 2023 despite a goal to halve them, calling for stricter electronic enforcement to curb reckless driving.

Ajay Chaudhry, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) of the Delhi Police, noted that while the city has cut accident fatalities by 8 percent, speeding and violations remain a serious problem and he called for ‘zero leniency.’

The convention featured two plenary sessions focusing on ‘Education and Engineering’ and ‘Enforcement, Emergency Care and Evaluation.’ These sessions covered topics like promoting responsible driving, designing safer infrastructure and the importance of a swift emergency response to reduce accidents and save lives.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!