Centre Charts Plan to Paint 800K Diesel Buses Green

India’s Plan to Switch One-Third of Buses to Electric: Who Benefits?

Source and citation: Information from an ET Bureau article published on December 29th, 2023, discussing India’s push for electric bus adoption.

Table of Contents

Analysis for a Layman

The Indian government has set an ambitious goal to replace nearly 800,000 diesel-powered buses currently on the roads with electric buses by 2030. This initiative covers a wide range of vehicles, including 200,000 state transport corporation buses, 550,000 private operator buses, and 50,000 school and company buses. This transition is not only aimed at reducing air pollution and curbing India’s dependence on imported crude oil but also at accelerating the growth of the domestic electric vehicle (EV) industry.

Globally, approximately 140,000 electric buses were sold in 2022, with China leading the way. India’s plan far surpasses the efforts seen in other countries, positioning it as a major player in the electric bus market. This initiative is expected to be implemented under the next phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, which initially focused on providing subsidies for smaller EVs like cars and bikes.

Discussions are underway with vehicle manufacturers, power companies, financiers, and multilateral banks to facilitate the mass adoption of electric buses. Large-scale tenders are expected to drive down costs per unit, making electric buses more affordable. Financial innovations, such as payment guarantees, will also help cash-strapped state budgets transition to electric buses more quickly. Overall, this transition promises both environmental and industrial benefits.

Impact on Retail Investors

Retail investors have several opportunities to benefit from this ambitious electric bus adoption plan:

EV Manufacturers: Established manufacturers like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Mahindra & Mahindra, with expertise in commercial vehicle manufacturing and financing, are well-positioned to benefit from the increased demand for electric buses.
Battery Manufacturers: Companies like Amara Raja and Exide Industries, which are involved in battery manufacturing, stand to gain from the growing need for EV batteries.
Charging Infrastructure Operators: Tata Power and Adani Transmission are strong contenders in building charging infrastructure. Investing in these companies can provide exposure to the charging network expansion.
Power Utilities: Power generators like NTPC and renewable energy giants such as Greenko and ReNew Power can benefit from the increased demand for electricity as a result of the electric bus adoption.
Auto Parts Suppliers: Ancillary auto parts suppliers like Bharat Forge, Motherson Sumi, and tire manufacturers may also see increased demand as electric buses require specific components.

Investing in these sectors can be a strategic move for retail investors looking to capitalize on the growing electric bus market in India.

Impact on Industries

The transition to electric buses has far-reaching implications for various industries:

EV Ecosystem: The electric bus adoption plan boosts the entire EV ecosystem, including manufacturers, battery producers, and charging infrastructure operators. It also stimulates the growth of the EV supply chain, from mining raw materials to manufacturing batteries.
Service Sector: The shift to electric buses requires a skilled workforce capable of handling EV maintenance and repairs. Mechanic training programs and partnerships between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and garage chains will be essential. Additionally, towing services will need to adapt to handle electric buses.
Battery Recycling and Repurposing: Battery disposal, recycling, and second-life repurposing create new industries that can lower costs and promote sustainability.
Legacy Diesel Bus Manufacturers: Companies producing traditional diesel or compressed natural gas (CNG) buses face the risk of asset stranding. They will need to pivot quickly to avoid financial viability issues as electric buses gain prominence.

The electric bus transition creates a ripple effect across industries, from mining minerals to manufacturing motors, from mechanics to mobility services. Private capital, including infrastructure funds and pension funds, can participate in this ecosystem’s growth, democratizing investment opportunities.

Long Term Benefits

The adoption of electric buses offers long-term benefits on multiple fronts:

Economic Efficiency: Transitioning to electric buses optimizes social, economic, and ecological benefits. Significant upfront investments in charging and grid infrastructure result in recurrent use, carrying thousands of passengers over the vehicles’ lifetimes.
Environmental Impact: Electric buses reduce air pollution and decrease dependence on imported fossil fuels. This contributes to better urban living conditions, supports population density, and prevents urban sprawl, ultimately saving long-term costs and fostering sustainable growth.
Industrial Growth: The electric bus initiative accelerates India’s position in the global EV market, spurring domestic manufacturing and innovation. As supply chains mature, India may become a net exporter of electric buses and related components.
Climate Commitments: India’s plan aligns with its climate commitments, demonstrating leadership in addressing climate change. Meeting or exceeding these commitments enhances India’s attractiveness to international investments and funding.
Inclusivity: Mass electric transit strategies promote inclusiveness and equitable access to transportation. This expansion connects smaller towns, enabling livelihoods and improving overall accessibility.

Short Term Benefits

In the short term, the announcement of the electric bus adoption plan provides clear policy direction and allocates capital for industry growth, supporting India’s self-reliance goals. It guides near-term capital flows and boosts investor confidence.

The plan also enhances India’s position in international climate negotiations, increasing access to green funding from multilateral organizations like the World Bank, Bloomberg, and the Asian Development Bank.

While tangible benefits, such as reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality, may take time to materialize due to the implementation timeline, signaling the government’s intent reassures the public. However, the ambitious goals set in motion today promise substantial dividends in the coming years as the EV ecosystem matures, local manufacturing expands, and infrastructure development accelerates. Therefore, these early efforts are poised to yield significant rewards in the future.

Companies Impacted by India’s Electric Bus Plan

Indian Companies Potentially Gaining:

Electric Bus Manufacturers: Companies like Tata Motors (TATAMOTORS:NS), Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M:NS), Ashok Leyland (ASHOKLEY:NS), and Olectra Greentech (OLECTRA:NS) stand to benefit from the massive demand for electric buses. Higher orders and potential economies of scale could boost their production capacity, revenue, and profitability.
Charging Infrastructure Providers: Companies like Tata Power (TATAPOWER:NS), Adani Green (ADANIGREEN:NS), and Greenko (GREENKO:NS) could see increased demand for setting up charging stations across the country to support the growing fleet of electric buses. This could create new revenue streams and investment opportunities.
Battery Manufacturers: Increased demand for electric vehicles requires more batteries. Companies like Exide Industries (EXIDEIND:NS), Amara Raja Batteries (AMARARAJABAT:NS), and Tata AutoComp Systems (TATAMTOSYS:NS) could benefit from increased demand for lithium-ion batteries for electric buses.
Component Suppliers: Companies supplying critical components for electric buses, like Bharat Forge (BHARATFORG:NS), Motherson Sumi Systems (MSUMI:NS), and Lumax Industries (LUMAXIND:NS), could see higher demand for their products, leading to potential revenue growth.

Indian Companies Potentially Losing:

Diesel Bus Manufacturers: Companies like Ashok Leyland and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) might face reduced demand for their diesel buses due to the government’s push for electric vehicles. This could impact their market share and profitability in the long term.
Oil & Gas Companies: Reduced dependence on diesel for public transportation could negatively impact fuel demand from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC:NS), Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL:NS), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HINDPETRO:NS). This could potentially affect their revenue and profits.
Public Transport Operators: Depending on the government’s financial support and subsidy structure, some state transport undertakings and private bus operators might face challenges in transitioning to electric buses due to their higher upfront costs compared to diesel buses.

Global Companies Potentially Gaining:

Foreign Bus Manufacturers: International players like BYD (BYDDF), Volvo (VOLCARB:SS), and Mercedes-Benz (DAI:GR) could enter the Indian market to cater to the demand for electric buses, potentially providing competition to domestic manufacturers.
Global Battery Manufacturers: International battery giants like Panasonic (OTCPK:PCRFY), Tesla (TSLA), and LG Energy Solutions (LGES) could potentially set up battery production facilities in India to meet the growing demand for electric bus batteries.

Global Companies Potentially Losing:

Global Oil & Gas Companies: Reduced global demand for diesel due to India’s push for electric buses could negatively impact companies like ExxonMobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX), and Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A).

Market Sentiment:

Positive for the electric vehicle ecosystem in India, with potential benefits for electric bus manufacturers, charging infrastructure providers, battery manufacturers, and component suppliers.
Headwinds for diesel bus manufacturers, oil & gas companies, and some public transport operators.
Overall, the initiative could attract foreign investments and boost India’s image as a leading player in the global EV market.

Note: This analysis is based on the provided information and may not be exhaustive. Other companies could be impacted depending on their specific industries, business models, and involvement in the electric vehicle or public transport sectors. The actual impact will depend on the final details of the government’s plan, market conditions, and technological advancements in the EV sector.