HPCL Presents Times Drive Auto Summit & Awards 2025: Inaugural Edition Sets New Benchmark In Automotive Industry

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India (MoRTH), was the Chief Guest, at the event where touched upon different topics like India's transition towards sustainable transportation, focusing on electric vehicles, alternate fuels and infrastructure development.

At the event, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, stated that India recently became the world's third-largest automotive market, driven by alternative fuels and biofuels. He predicted that India will become the largest market in the next 5 years. Gadkari also highlighted the decreasing cost of Lithium-ion batteries, predicting price parity between electric and petrol/diesel cars within 5-6 months. At the event he announced that NHAI will establish 670 EV charging stations with amenities on highways. He also addressed concerns about EV adoption and that India's highway infrastructure will surpass that of the US in the coming years.

FADA At HPCL Presents Times Drive Auto Summit & Awards 2025

At the event, FADA President C.S. Vigneshwar emphasized the crucial role of auto dealers in India's mobility ecosystem. He highlighted their contribution as the first customers of manufacturers, their role in data transparency, and FADA's initiatives to prepare dealers for future challenges like digital retailing and electric mobility. Vigneshwar stressed that dealers should be viewed as partners, not just intermediaries, in the evolving automotive landscape.

SIAM At HPCL Presents Times Drive Auto Summit & Awards 2025

At the event, Prashant K Banerjee, Chief Executive Director of SIAM, discussed India's automotive sector growth and sustainability initiatives. He highlighted India's position as the third-largest automobile market and SIAM's commitment to decarbonization through alternative fuels like biofuels, CNG, LNG, and electrification. Banerjee emphasized the role of government policies and industry collaboration in achieving a sustainable and low-carbon transportation system.

At the event Amit Garg, Director of Marketing, HPCL stated that Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is prioritizing customer centricity and environmental responsibility. He emphasized that the company is focused on providing an overall customer experience, not just products. He added that the company is committed to reducing carbon emissions by providing cleaner fuels and has diversified its product portfolio to include electric mobility solutions. They are expanding their network of charging stations and developing an app to help customers locate them. Additionally, HPCL is investing in CNG, LNG and battery research. Garg also revealed that HPCL in association with Volvo is opening an outlet in Visakhapatnam to offer hydrogen for HFCEVs (hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles).

The first panel discussion of the event witnessed the participation from Puneet Anand, AVP and Vertical Head, Corporate Communications and Social, Hyundai Motor India, Vijay Kumar Misra, Technical Director- JK Tyres and Industries, Jyoti Malhotra, MD, Volvo Auto India and Ravi Bhatia, President, Jato Dynamics. In this discussion it came to light that the automotive industry in India is experiencing a significant transformation, driven by advancements in car technology and a growing focus on hydrogen as a fuel source. Experts at the HPCL Presents 2025 Times Drive Auto Summit and Awards discussed how connected car technology is expanding rapidly, driven by increased demand for road safety and smart mobility solutions. The future of mobility, they emphasized, hinges on safety, smartness and sustainability.

Panelists stated that Artificial intelligence (AI) and technologies like LIDAR and ADAS are enhancing pedestrian and commuter safety, while innovations in tyre technology and vehicle automation are pushing boundaries. However, challenges remain, including accessibility issues and the need for further development of experimental technologies like high-density batteries and fully autonomous driving. These advancements must also address environmental concerns to ensure a future that is safe, smart, sustainable, and accessible to all.

The second panel discussion of the event witnessed participation from Sandeep Kumar Roperia, Revolt Motors, Shreshth Mishra, Simple Energy, Saharsh Damani, FADA and Madhumita Agarwal, CEO, Oben Electric. The panel discussion touched on the challenges of transitioning the two-wheeler market to electric vehicles (EVs). A key challenge identified was consumer reluctance, especially among motorcycle users, who have a strong emotional and practical attachment to their vehicles.

While EV adoption in the two-wheeler sector has grown, the pace remains slow. Established manufacturers are taking a cautious approach, while new EV companies are entering the market. Regional variations in consumer needs and the expanding demographic of EV buyers present additional challenges. Reliability concerns also persist, highlighting the need for brands to build trust and address consumer apprehensions. The panel concluded that manufacturers need to understand consumer behavior and concerns to accelerate EV adoption.

The third discussion at the event witnessed participation from - Vinkesh Gulati, Skill Council of India-Auto, Arun Malhotra, Auto Industry Expert, Rama Shankar Pandey, Social Defence Fellow, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government Of India and Kavita Verma, CEO, Maxwell Energy. In this panel discussion it came to light that the Indian automotive sector is experiencing a transformation in workforce upskilling and reskilling. The panelists emphasized the necessity of reskilling due to evolving technology and new car models.

Some speakers highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and industry to maximize the potential of the Indian workforce. India's component industry is setting trends globally, driven by demand for high-quality services at affordable prices. This focus on cost innovation positions India as a strong player in the global export market, supported by government initiatives.