OCTOBER 20258BVR SUBRAHMANYAM HINTS AT EARLY CONCLUSION OF INDIA-US TRADE DEALOLA ELECTRIC BECOMES FIRST TO GET NOD FOR RARE-EARTH-FREE MOTOROla Electric has become the first electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer of two-wheeler vehicles in India to receive government certification for the rare-earth-free ferrite motor developed in-house, a significant advancement for India's electric vehicle ecosystem.This certification represents India's commitment to halting its reliance on imported rare-earth materials and solidifying its EV supply chain.Speaking at the launch of Trade Watch Quarterly, Subrahmanyam confirmed that negotiations conducted last month had developed "good progress" and both sides are "hopeful" of concluding a deal in the next few weeks.The trade relationship between New Delhi and Washington has shown signs of strain following the most recent increase in tariffs on Indian goods up to 50 percent by US President Donald Trump, in addition to a 25 percent tax on India's import of Russian crude oil, which India said was unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.Subrahmanyam explained these high tariffs are a major cost factor, however any obvious effect on trade will likely not be evident until Christmas. However, he warned that if the trade pact is not finalized by November, "summer is going to be an issue."Officials from both sides are engaged in a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) that intends to more than double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030, up from $191 billion. The US remains India's largest trading partner, with total trade reaching USD 131.84 billion in 2024-25.Highlighting India's need to enhance competitiveness, Subrahmanyam emphasized lowering tariffs, easing non-tariff barriers, and diversifying manufacturing clusters under the upcoming national manufacturing policy. The certification came from the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Tamil Nadu after various performance and power tests were completed under AIS 041--in accordance with the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.According to Ola Electric, the newly certified ferrite motor achieves performance parity with conventional rare-earth permanent magnet motors in both 7 kW and 11 kW versions, in addition to providing comparable overall efficiency, durability, and power, while reducing manufacturing costs and insulating the organization from global supply shocks.The company revealed the motor in August 2025 at its 'Sankalp 2025' event, and now with the certification, Ola Electric intends to outfit the ferrite motor throughout the entirety of its product offerings, while also improving specifications related to performance, affordability, and sustainability.This milestone not only underscores Ola Electric's innovation capabilities but also signals a broader industry shift toward locally developed, sustainable EV technologies that can power India's clean mobility future.TOP STORIESOn Monday, NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam expressed hope that an India-US trade deal that has been in the works will be concluded soon after both sides expressed commitment to a fair deal.
< Page 7 | Page 9 >