US-based First solar has unveiled a plan to build a PV module plant in India, emphasizing that none of its production occurs in China. Meanwhile, Chinese brand Realme is looking to export its Indian-made handsets to Bangladesh.
First Solar to spend US$680 million on building new plant in India
First Solar has announced that it will invest US$684 million to build a 3.3GW solar module plant in Tamil Nadu in view of the long-term growth in demand for solar equipment in India. First Solar said the facility is expected to be built in the state of Tamil Nadu and commence operations in the second half of 2023.
Realme to export India-made handset
Madhav Sheth, Realme's vice president and CEO of India and Europe, said the company will export Indian-made handsets to Bangladesh starting from the third quarter and will not rule out exporting TVs and AIoT products in the future, reflecting that Realme has gradually built India as a regional production base to expand its footprint in emerging markets.
India's largest car maker bullish on hydrogen vehicles
Given India's lack of a lithium battery supply chain for electric vehicles (EV) and insufficient infrastructure, Maruti Suzuki, chairman of India's passenger car market leader RC Bhargava, has said the company will continue to promote compressed natural gas (CNG) and hybrid vehicles, and also sees hydrogen as an "interesting" option, voicing support for the government's National Hydrogen Energy Mission.
India reportedly may increase incentives for local IT hardware manufacturing
In order to reduce the dependence on imports of China-made notebooks and tablets PCs, India reportedly is looking to allocate a huge amount to encourage local manufacturers to develop IT hardware supply chains in India, but the response from local makers has not been as enthusiastic as expected.
Ola may sell used cars
Ola, which started as an online taxi service provider, will launch its own brand of electric motorcycles in mid-August. Ola reportedly may enter online used car trading.
Article translated by Rodney Chan
