Governments globally are implementing a fast-paced action plan, generating unique approaches to accomplish distinct SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), which were formulated in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as part of the post-2015 development agenda, which, among others, focus on sustainable cities and communities, affordable and clean energy, responsible consumption & production, innovation and infrastructure, good health & well-being, and partnerships to reach the goal.
The automobile sector is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A standard vehicle emits up to 4.6 tonnes of CO2 annually, assuming each unit travels 18,000 km yearly. Transportation accounts for 23% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, making it the largest source of climate change.
To circumvent the causes of pollution and related climate impact, the Prime Minister of India made a commitment at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that India will reduce its emissions to net zero by the year 2070 and established significant milestones to prioritize on this pathway.
In an effort to tackle the climate change issues, the firms listed below are playing their part towards attaining net zero goals.
Yokohama India
Yokohama India Pvt Ltd.(YIN) is a 100% subsidiary of The Yokohama Rubber Company, Japan (YRC). Yokohama decided to foray into the Indian market in 2007, India being one of the fastest growing automobile markets. YIN started manufacturing tyres in India from November 2014 and supplies world class quality products like Geolandar A/T, Earth-1 and BluEarth-GT from the manufacturing plant located in Bahadurgarh, Haryana.
Meanwhile, concern for the environment is also important, and a lot of efforts are directed to reduce the environmental footprint of activities like production and logistics. Yokohama India is expanding product development by procuring raw material with low environmental impact and making use of their characteristics to manufacture tires using the minimum energy required. They are also working to eliminate transportation-related waste in relation to logistics and sales activities through the optimal positioning of logistics centers, etc.
The Rubber Industry has been using petroleum-based oils in the manufacturing of products for decades and the Tire industry is no exception to this. The R&D team at Yokohama Off-Highway Tires has been working on developing alternate renewable oils in place of conventional Rubber Process Oils. They are on the anvil of developing different compounds using a vegetable oil with appropriate modifications to make it suitable and compatible for rubber compounding. As part of environmental preservation efforts, The Yokohama Group’s Forever Forest Program has planted more than 1.5 lakh trees in the vicinity of its factories in India. This project conforms to the Miyawaki method of forestry and includes participation from the local community in creating awareness about Green Earth.
HOP Electric Mobility
HOP Electric Mobility is among India’s fast growing electric vehicles manufacturers, having a comprehensive ecosystem approach to electric vehicles business. HOP Electric was conceptualised as an integrated climate-tech company committed to building a sustainable future through its products, technologies, and services in the new energy automotive industry.
“Achieving true sustainability is yet a milestone we have to achieve, but we have chosen a conscious path towards that. From Day 0, we had electric vehicles, energy and environment as part of our mission statement. We, across our teams, are promoting an environment-conscious culture. From small actions like using less paper to much larger initiatives like Battery recycling, we are mindful of our actions as a company.” says Nikhil Bhatia, Co-Founder & COO, HOP Electric Mobility.
Right-value products available to the masses will change the automotive landscape in India. From manufacturing at scale in India with the Production Linked Incentive Scheme to easier ownership options, from service stations to charging infra, HOP Electric is accelerating this transition to a new energy world. Their range of e2Ws starts from a 68K scooter to an Rs 1.65 lac motorcycle. A low-speed entry-level scooter to an electric motorcycle with a 150 Kms range, 95 Km/hr top speed and a whole bunch of connected technologies, you can find all at a HOP Experience Center.
Lohum Cleantech
Founded in 2018, Lohum Cleantech is an integrated lithium-ion battery manufacturer and recycler – a climate technology business working on strategies to hasten the world’s switch to battery power. Lohum can recycle 100,000 battery packs and accumulate 200,000 two-wheeler battery packs at the facility. The brand’s objective is to enable electricity in every corner of the globe by providing several lives and ensuring essential raw materials for batteries survive forever.
To reduce battery prices and enhance global energy security Lohum maximizes circular sustainability across the supply chain with its battery reuse and recycling capabilities. During the past three years, Lohum has developed the technology and infrastructure necessary to produce, repurpose, and recycle Li-ion batteries with a 300 MWh annual capacity.
Cardekho Group
CarDekho Group is India’s unicorn auto tech solution platform that provides a complete ecosystem for buying new and used bikes/cars with a one-stop solution.
Being environmentally conscious and a firm believer of sustainable development, CarDekho group has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050 under the United Nations framework and has also adopted 5 UNSDG goals. Founders along with their families have neutralized their carbon footprint by offsetting it to a wind power project. To achieve its targets, it is developing a robust ESG strategy to achieve climate action goals. Taking the Founders’ vision of a sustainable future forward, the Group has now set up its CSR arm – Girnar Foundation. It is based on five United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action – to contribute towards a developed, sustainable and inclusive India.
Revfin Services
Revfin, a cutting-edge digital financing platform, is driving India’s “Green Growth” towards Net Zero and is a key player in building a sustainable future for both the nation and the EV ecosystem.
Revfin offers a cutting-edge digital lending platform and proprietary digital underwriting skills, allowing it to underwrite financially excluded and underserved populations in tier 2 and tier 3 cities as well. In the next five years, the business hopes to finance 2 million electric automobiles. Revfin has agreements with over 650 dealerships across the nation and has collaborated with 26 OEMs, including significant brands such as Kinetic Green, Yatri, Saarthi, Mayuri, Lectrix, Hero Electric, and Piaggio, to accelerate EV adoption and build a strong infrastructure for sustainable transportation.
Godawari Electric Motors
Godawari Electric Motors (producer of the eblu family of EV products) launched Godawari EMobility in July 2019 to provide self-employment to millions and reduce the country’s carbon footprint through cutting-edge e-mobility solutions. It was formed to provide a non-polluting, sustainable commute by supplying a full variety of EV products by Siddharth Agarwal and Mahendra Agrawal. Godawari Electric Motors is unusual because it was one of the first firms in India to establish an EV leasing strategy.