The lithium problem and Chinese auto in India

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Editor's note: EVs are all the rage in the Indian automotive sector. Only closely rivalled by the most unprecedented slowdown seen in decades, where people aren’t buying enough vehicles, manufacturers are feeling the pinch and dealerships across the country are slowly but quietly going under. But as much as the slowdown is temporary—a harsh, long winter let’s say—I think the enthusiasm around EVs is here to stay. Earlier this week, Tata Motors, India’s fifth largest passenger vehicle manufacturer by sales (Tata slipped from fourth to fifth, unseated by Japanese car maker Toyota) launched the Nexon EV at an introductory price of Rs 13.99-15.99 lakh ($19,600-22,400) excluding taxes (what the industry calls ex showroom). The vehicle claims a range of 300 km on a single charge. Tata Motors says it wants to be the leader in the EV business. As an India OEM (original equipment manufacturer), we should be seen as a very strong brand in the EV space. Here we are not dealing with 70 years old ICE (internal combustion engine) world. We are not catching up. Here, let others catch up …