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Indian manufacturer Okaya EV works on full-fledged e-scooter
Known as an energy storage manufacturer, Okaya Group has recently unveiled its latest model Freedum. The Okaya Freedum will be offered with either lithium-ion batteries or lead-acid batteries. At the moment, a slow version (up to 25 km/h) is already on the market, a faster version (50 km/h) is to follow at the end of the year. The Freedum costs the equivalent of 939 US dollars in the simplest version and complements the existing AvionIQ and ClassicIQ models. The company is currently waiting for the necessary approvals from ICAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology). The iCAT is also responsible for AIS approvals, which are required for the sale and use of two-wheelers in the Indian market, among other automotive products.
The Okaya Freedum is equipped with a 250-watt brushless hub motor and reaches a top speed of 25 km/h with it. A faster version is planned, with optionally more powerful batteries to extend the range to 250 km on one battery charge. The charging time of the 48-volt 30 Ah battery with lithium-ion technology is supposed to be between 4 and 5 hours, the lead battery needs between 8 and 10 hours. The electric scooter is equipped with a digital display, LED headlights and lights, remote control, anti-theft device and reverse gear. The chassis is based on a telescopic shock absorber at the front and a single shock absorber for the rear wheel. Braking is with a disc brake at the front wheel and a drum brake at the rear.
Okaya plans to launch a total of 14 new models this financial year, including an e-motorcycle and e-powered two-wheelers tailored for businesses. The manufacturer currently sells its scooters through 120 dealers and aims to add another 800. Okaya has been producing batteries for e-vehicles since 2016, complemented by chargers and charging stations. The group has been in the electronics business for 35 years.
Two-wheelers and their components have to be certified according to the AIS guidelines in India. AIS stands for Automotive Industry Standards, the technical automotive standards for India. MPR International GmbH – India Certification will be pleased to support you with AIS certification and is also available to answer any questions you may have.
Depending on the product category, there are different certification steps. We will be happy to advise you on certification in India like AIS, BIS, WPC, TEC or PESO and are always available to answer your questions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details and consultation. You can contact us via e-mail, or call us (UK: +44 2071931135, Rest of Europe: +49 69 2713769261, US: +1 773 654-2673).
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
You can also check out our free AIS-Brochure, which can be downloaded right here as a PDF file.
BIS continues to monitor non-compliant motorbike helmets
Six months after the introduction of mandatory certification for the production and sale of motorbike helmets, the Indian Bureau of Standards (BIS) continues to conduct inspections at producers and markets. Motorbike helmets have been required to carry an ISI test mark since 1 June 2021, and the BIS has now received around 20 complaints about non-compliance or misuse of the test mark. The law enables the BIS and authorised authorities to carry out random checks on producers and dealers of motorbike helmets.
Although the BIS has already received complaints or tips regarding non-certified helmets, a spokesperson had to admit to omissions and delays on the part of the authority. Due to the continuing Covid 19 situation, on-site inspections are not possible, the spokesperson explained. These would begin immediately as soon as the situation permits, he added. Meanwhile, Rajeev Kapoor, president of the Motorcycle Helmet Manufacturers Association, supports the recently introduced scheme. “Manufacturing substandard helmets is like manufacturing fake medicines: Both can be fatal,” Kapoor said. The BIS enforced clear marking and identification with a verification number on gold and jewellery some time ago. Kapoor would like to see the same for motorbike helmets: “In Europe, the test and quality seals will be attached to helmets in a tamper-proof manner so that consumers can trace authenticity and the manufacturer.” Unworn or substandard helmets are the leading cause of death from motorbike accidents in India, accounting for 78 per cent. In 2019, 56,000 motorcyclists were killed in road accidents, 43,600 of them were not wearing a helmet. The number of fatalities due to a substandard helmet is not known due to lack of data.
In India, many product groups are subject to BIS certification, similar to DIN/ISO/EN standards. The specifications are defined by the BIS standards, and the product list is continuously expanded or adapted. BIS stands for the Bureau of Indian Standards and is the Indian national certification body under the umbrella of the Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. It is the central awarding body for BIS certification.
Since 2012, the BIS has been gradually expanding the certification catalog and continuously adding additional goods. BIS certification mandatory for many electronic products for industrial and consumer uses. Factory inspections are also required for some products.
If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone at +49-69-271 37 69 261. There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
For more information about BIS certification, please refer to our free brochure “BIS Certification Made Easy“.
The price of LPG in gas cylinders rose for the second time in 15 days
Indian oil companies again increased the price of LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) for home use. A gas cylinder without government subsidy has therefore become 25 Indian rupees (approx. 0.35 US dollars) expensive. Overall, a gas cylinder with a filling weight of 14.2 kg costs the equivalent of 11.90 US dollars in the capital Delhi or in Mumbai. The Economic Times of India reports that the continuous price increase for LPG has been going on for three consecutive months. The price of a gas cylinder varies in the states due to different taxation. The price of LPG for commercial use also increased. In Delhi, a 19 kg cylinder was the equivalent of US$22.79, an increase of 75 Indian rupees (about US$1). Meanwhile, the number of LPG users continued to rise. As of 1 July, there were around 291 million households in India using LPG for cooking and heating. In 2018-2019, there were only 265 million households. However, most equipment, plants and facilities must undergo mandatory PESO certification.
The Indian gas industry got its start in the 1960s with the exploration of gas deposits in the states of Assam and Maharashtra. Since then, the importance of natural and liquefied gas in India has grown steadily. While in March 2021, the production volume declined by 8.1 per cent, in August 2021, it increased by 20.23 per cent. However, India is heavily dependent on imports of natural gas and meets about 45 per cent of its demand through imports. In 2019, India was therefore the world’s fifth largest importer of natural gas. At the same time, the price in the country fluctuates considerably and is largely dependent on international markets as well as domestic demand.
The Indian oil and gas industry is growing and offers good opportunities for your company to provide services and products there or to produce locally, for which PESO certifications for products are essential in many cases.. Relevant product groups or components are for example gas and pressure vessels, valves and fittings or safety equipment. A complete list can be found under this link. The experts at MPR International GmbH are available to answer your questions about PESO certification or other India certifications without obligation for an initial assessment.
If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone at +49-69-271 37 69 261. There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
For more information about PESO certification, please refer to our free brochure “PESO Certification Made Easy“.
Auto parts industry expects growth of up to 23 per cent in the current financial year
The auto parts and supplier industry in India will grow between 20 and 23 per cent in the current fiscal year, reports rating agency ICRA. The recovery in the domestic auto market and robust exports are mainly responsible for the growth, it said. All sectors, including passenger and commercial vehicles, will post double-digit growth in the current fiscal year, ICRA added. However, the industry continues to be concerned about rising raw material prices and the shortage of semiconductors. Most of the domestic auto industry, especially passenger vehicles and tractors, are witnessing strong demand with values almost at pre-Covid 19 pandemic levels. Even the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segment, which was adversely affected in Q2, is now showing signs of recovery, the ICRA report said. This also points to more heavily used production capacities in India in the future. Many automotive parts and components require AIS certification for import into India and use in the Indian market, and often also BIS certification.
ICRA surveyed 50 automotive suppliers to prepare the report and market analysis. On average, the companies reported a 140 per cent increase in sales compared to the previous year. However, these figures are based on a weak first quarter of the 2021 financial year, the report adds. Despite constraints due to the second covid wave in India, the observed market declined by only 19 per cent in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 relative to the previous quarter, instead of the projected 30 to 35 per cent. The report also found that sales of aftermarket parts such as tyres and batteries declined by only 13 per cent compared to the overall market’s aforementioned 19 per cent.
Regarding the price increase of raw materials, the ICRA report pointed to the long supply chain at OEMs. Normally, price increases would show up in 1-2 quarters, but many companies had already adjusted their prices and even widened the profit margin somewhat. The shortage of semiconductors remains problematic for the industry. Overall, automakers account for about 11 per cent of global semiconductor production. According to the report, major OEM manufacturers have only small quantities of semiconductors in stock and would therefore not be able to respond fully to a short-term increase in demand from carmakers. The disruption at some semiconductor production facilities is exacerbating an already tight market situation, ICRA said. OEM manufacturers are therefore trying to switch to alternative suppliers or to obtain the goods by air freight. The ICRA report adds at the end that certain automotive suppliers were able to increase their profits on a quarterly basis. This was supported by significant export volumes and increased demand from key customers in the industry.
Cars and two-wheelers and their components have to be certified under the AIS guidelines in India. AIS stands for Automotive Industry Standards, the technical automotive standards for India. MPR International GmbH – India Certification will be happy to support you with AIS certification and is also available to answer any questions you may have.
AIS stands for Automotive Industry Standards, the technical automotive standards for India, while TAC stands for Type Approval Certificate. This kind of automotive product certifiation is conducted by authorities like the International Center for Automotive Technology (iCAT).
Depending on the product category, there are different certification steps. We will be happy to advise you on certification in India like AIS, BIS, WPC, TEC or PESO and are always available to answer your questions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details and consultation. You can contact us via e-mail, or call us (UK: +44 2071931135, Rest of Europe: +49 69 2713769261, US: +1 773 654-2673).
If you have any questions you can also use our chat-window in the bottom right. (Please check your browser settings if you can’t see the window)
You can also check out our free AIS-Brochure, which can be downloaded right here as a PDF file.