Overview

The automotive industry is at the cusp of a major transition, with powertrain technologies evolving faster than ever. From stringent emission norms to the rise of electrification and alternative fuels, OEMs, suppliers, and policymakers faced critical decisions that defined the future of mobility.

The Future Powertrain Conclave brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to deep dive into the evolving landscape of sustainable powertrains in the automotive industry.

Discussions in this conclave delved into topics such as powertrain and policy trends that shaped the automotive industry, breakthrough technologies that accelerated EV adoption, and the role of hybrid powertrains in the transition to full electrification, among others.

Highlights

30+

Speakers

5

Panel Discussions

3

Technical Sessions

300+

Attendees

"Tamil Nadu is going beyond the manufacturing story. Our strength lies in the talent that we have. I think R&D is the right way to go forward."

Dr. T. R. B. Rajaa, Minister For Industries, Govt. of Tamil Nadu

“India is a different story. Buying behavior, per capita income, and driving habits are all different. We must create our reference point.”
“Electric vehicles bring a lot of software, and it is an added advantage for India. When you bring in the software content into the vehicle, it is a huge job opportunity.”

R. Velusamy, President - Automotive Tech & Product Development, Mahindra & Mahindra

“Diesel will continue to rule the roost… because that’s the workhorse, and it’s a dependable workhorse.”
“Some of the new technologies have a long gestation period and a lengthy development cycle. Unless you focus on core technology development, you will not be ready when the market actually needs such technology.”

Rajendra Petkar, President and Chief Technology Officer, Tata Motors

“Hydrogen fuel cells and LNG-powered vehicles are gaining traction but require significant policy and infrastructure support. Diesel will remain dominant until 2035, but hydrogen could be the North Star if costs and infrastructure align."

Ganesh Mani, President and Chief Operating Officer, Ashok Leyland

“Clearly there is going to be a shift towards sustainable technologies. But it's going to be a multiple technology path forward with the mix being very diverse for different markets depending upon their unique context and the customer acceptance."
"The reason hybrids are gaining traction is simple—they offer a clean, practical, and convenient green mobility solution. "

Vikram Gulati, Country Head & EVP - Corp. Affairs & Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor

“We’re not just witnessing the EV transition — we’re building it here in Tamil Nadu."

Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Murugappa Group

“India would be the last country standing when it comes to ICE”
“And we will be the last producer - including Tamil Nadu. It should be the last one to produce the last ICE in India.”

Shailesh Hazela, CEO & Managing Director, Stellantis India:

“It’s like a horse race… diesel, CNG, LNG, hydrogen ICE, hydrogen fuel cell, and electric—all of them are lined up on the track, and the customer, the one who puts money on the horse, is only thinking about one thing: the total cost of ownership.”

Ganesh Mani, President and Chief Operating Officer, Ashok Leyland

Gallery

Videos

News

India Auto Sector to Take Multi-fuel Pathway to Sustainability, Say Experts

The Indian auto sector will take a multi-fuel pathway in its transition to sustainable mobility instead of relying completely on electrification, industry players said at the Future Powertrain Conclave organised by Autocar Professional and Government of Tamil Nadu.

“Diesel Will Continue to Rule the Roost”: Tata Motors’ Rajendra Petkar on the Future of Powertrains

Despite the global buzz around electrification and hydrogen, diesel isn’t going anywhere—at least not anytime soon, says Rajendra Petkar, President and Chief Technology Officer, Tata Motors.

The Practical Path to Net Zero - Tata Motors Rajendra Petkar's view on Powertrains of Future

In a landscape shaped by electrification, hydrogen, and ethanol, Petkar delivered a grounded message: Disruption is inevitable, but internal combustion engines (ICEs) will continue to power India’s mobility for years to come.

After Manufacturing, R&D is Tamil Nadu’s New Destination

Tamil Nadu is going beyond the manufacturing story. Our strength lies in the talent that we have. I think R&D is the right way to go forward," Dr TRB Rajaa, the Minister for Industries, Investment Promotions, and Commerce, said while speaking at the Future Powertrain Conclave organized by Autocar Professional and Government of Tamil Nadu.

VinFast to Open Tamil Nadu Factory in 3-4 Months: TRB Rajaa

The automaker started construction on its third global production plant, a 400-acre integrated facility in Thoothukudi, in February 2024, expanding on its existing manufacturing in Vietnam and the United States.

"EV Shift Is Happening in Tamil Nadu:” Arun Murugappan

His remark captures the sentiment driving one of India’s most ambitious clean mobility transformations — led not by the Centre but by a state that is quietly outpacing the rest. Murugappan credited Tamil Nadu’s leadership in EV manufacturing to a combination of early policy vision, manufacturing infrastructure, and a clear intent to become a global hub for electric vehicle production.

"No Single Winner": Ganesh Mani on the Fuel Fight Shaping India’s Trucking Industry

At a time when automakers worldwide are trying to place bets on the next big powertrain breakthrough, India’s commercial vehicle industry finds itself amid a far more complex race—one where there is no single frontrunner, no clear winner, and multiple fuels vying for relevance.

“The Future Is Electrified—but Not Electric Alone”: Toyota’s Vikram Gulati on India’s Mobility Transition

According to Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, this isn’t a sign of lag—it’s a reflection of strategic adaptability.

Plug-In Hybrids Hold Promise for India’s Cities, But Price Tag Holds Them Back

At the Future Powertrain Conclave held in Chennai on Wednesday, senior leaders from Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Maruti Suzuki highlighted the potential of PHEVs, particularly for city driving, while calling for urgent policy reforms to make them viable for Indian consumers.

Hybrids Are An Essential Part of Electrification Journey, Say Experts

At Autocar Professional’s Future Powertrain Conclave, Vikram Gulati, Country Head & EVP, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said that Toyota’s early journey into electrification has fueled Toyota’s success in hybrid technology, with over 26 million electrified vehicles sold globally, primarily strong hybrids.

“Battery Electric Vehicle Is the Long-Term Goal—That’s Non-Stop”: Mahindra’s R Velusamy Charts India’s EV Future

As India navigates its unique path toward sustainable mobility, R. Velusamy, President of Automotive Technology and Product Development at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Joint Managing Director of Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd., is unequivocal about the company’s direction towards BEVs.

How a LinkedIn Message Brought VinFast to Tamil Nadu

That one message triggered a chain of events that would culminate in one of India’s most significant greenfield EV investments—a Rs 16,000 crore commitment from Vietnamese EV major VinFast, expected to create over 7,000 jobs in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.

“India Would Be the Last Country Standing When It Comes to ICE”: Stellantis India MD Shailesh Hazela

Speaking at the Future of Powertrains Conclave in Chennai, organised by Autocar Professional in partnership with Guidance Tamil Nadu, Shailesh Hazela, CEO & Managing Director of Stellantis India, offered a candid assessment of what the future could hold for India and the broader Global South.

Discussion Topics

Powertrain and policy trends shaping the future
- Viability of BEVs, FCEVs, hybrids, and biofuels in Indian context
- How future powertrains must achieve global emission targets
- Balancing R&D, manufacturing investments, end-user affordability
- Scaling charging, refueling infrastructure for diverse energy sources
- Role of government’s policy roadmap in directing industry investments
Future tech and innovation that will drive EV demand
- Solid-state, Li-Sulphur batteries improving efficiency and safety
- Cutting-edge fast charging technology addressing range anxiety
- Tackling critical raw material sourcing challenges for EV batteries
- Localisation, automation in battery production to lower prices
Hybrid powertrains as a transition to electrification
- Role of hybrid systems as transitional technology to pure-BEVs
- Hybrid powertrains most practical in diverse Indian conditions
- Hybrids enabling curation of local supply chain for electrification parts
- Offer long-term utilisation potential of existing ICE value chain
- Policy perspective: Why do hybrids get tax disadvantage to EVs in India?
Alternative fuels powering sustainable mobility
- Biofuels like ethanol, bio diesel to reduce fossil-fuel consumption
- Role of CNG, CBG and LNG in driving India’s mobility requirements
- Flex-fuel powertrains and how they can positively impact India
- Hydrogen powertrains and their future potential in long-haul trucks
- Policy roadmap: India accelerating towards a gas-based economy
The future of diesel
- Do diesel powertrains still have a future amidst sustainability drive?
- Advanced emission reduction tech – SCR, DPF – inducing complexities
- Is the cost of technology limiting diesel engine’s application potential?
- Consumer sentiment: What do sales of prominent models represent?
- Diesel engines and their role in India’s commercial vehicle segment

Special Address

Dr. T. R. B. Rajaa

Minister For Industries,
Govt. of Tamil Nadu

Speakers

R Velusamy

President - Automotive Tech & Product Development,
Mahindra & Mahindra

Rajendra Petkar

President & CTO,
Tata Motors

Anoop Bhat

Head Powertrain and xEV Design,
Maruti Suzuki India

Vikram Gulati

Country Head & Executive Vice President (CA&G),
Toyota Kirloskar Motor

Shailesh Hazela

CEO and Managing Director,
Stellantis India

Ganesh Mani S

President & COO,
Ashok Leyland

Dinesh Arjun

Co-Founder & CEO,
Raptee

Sudha S, IFS

Member Secretary,
Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission

Thiruppathy Srinivasan

CEO, Centre of Excellence in Advanced Automotive Research (CAAR) & Head,
EV Task Force, Govt. of Tamil Nadu.

Viswanath B

CTO,
Delphi-TVS Technologies

Nilesh Deshpande

Director Engineering - Engine Business,
Cummins India

CS Vigneshwar

President,
FADA

Mr. Ramakrishna Donakonda

VP - Powertrain and eDrives,
Daimler Truck Innovation Centre India

Karthikeyan Palanisamy

Co-Founder and CEO,
Zeon Charging

Srinivas Aravapalli

Founder and CEO,
BlueBinaries

Sandip Chaudhari

Chief Technology Officer,
Greaves Cotton

Harshad Jambaulikar

India General Manager,
Infineum India

George Anthony P

GM - Powertrain System Engineering, Power Solutions Division,
Bosch

Dwarkanath Simili

Head - India Propulsion Engineering Centre ,
BorgWarner

Dr. Anushuman Awashti

SVP, Head Of Powertrain Engineering,
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India

Mr. Milind Girgaonkar

Head - R&D, HCV,
Montra Electric

Moderators

Hormazd Sorabjee

Editor,
Autocar India

Ketan Thakkar

Editor,
Autocar Professional

Sergius Barretto

Managing Editor,
Autocar India

FAQs

What was the Future Powertrain Conclave?

Future Powertrain Conclave is an offline forum that will delve into topics such as Powertrain and Policy Trends shaping the automotive industry, Breakthrough Technologies accelerating EV adoption, and the role of Hybrid Powertrains in the transition to full electrification, among others.

It will see industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators deliberate upon the broader agenda of progressing towards sustainability through cleaner and desirable powertrains of the future.
When and where was the Future Powertrain Conclave hosted?

The Future Powertrain Conclave was a day-long conference from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Wednesday, March 26th, 2025 at The Leela Palace, Chennai.
What was the theme of the Future Powertrain Conclave?

The theme of Future Powertrain Conclave wass: The road to sustainable powertrains of the future.
Who attended the Conclave?

The conference was a CXO gathering, wherein representatives of leading automotive OEMs in India, Tier-I and Tier-II suppliers, technology companies, government officials, and trade and academia marked their presence.
What were the panel topics of the Conclave?
- Powertrain and policy trends shaping the future
- Future tech and innovations that will drive EV demand
- Hybrid powertrains as a transition to electrification
- Alternative fuels powering sustainable mobility
- The future of diesel

About Autocar Professional

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