Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday chaired a comprehensive stakeholders' consultation on the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem at HMT Bhawan in Bengaluru, bringing together representatives from across the electric mobility value chain to deliberate on measures aimed at strengthening India's transition towards sustainable transportation and fostering a globally competitive domestic EV manufacturing ecosystem.

The meeting witnessed participation from manufacturers and industry players engaged in electric buses, electric trucks and a wide range of ancillary segments, including battery management systems (BMS), HVAC solutions, battery packs, advanced chemistry cell (ACC) technologies, cells and battery components, charging equipment and associated infrastructure, as well as other critical EV supply chain segments. Representatives from industry bodies, technology providers and testing agencies also attended the deliberations.

Stakeholders highlighted several challenges confronting the sector and sought policy support from the Ministry of Heavy Industries to further strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and accelerate the adoption of electric mobility solutions. Among the key issues raised were the need for an enabling EV financing framework and the establishment of a robust payment security mechanism to facilitate the deployment of electric buses and commercial electric vehicles at scale.

Industry representatives also underlined the importance of expanding charging infrastructure to support the growing EV fleet and called for continued efforts to enhance charging accessibility, interoperability and network reliability across the country. Stakeholders further sought greater facilitation and support from premier testing and certification agencies, particularly the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), to ensure timely testing, homologation and certification of emerging EV technologies, components and systems, thereby reducing turnaround times and improving ease of doing business for manufacturers.

Addressing the gathering, Kumaraswamy reiterated the Union Government's commitment towards achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India a Net Zero economy by 2070 and underscored the pivotal role that electric mobility would play in the country's decarbonisation journey. The Union Minister assured stakeholders that the suggestions, concerns and recommendations put forth during the consultation would be carefully examined by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and that all possible measures would be considered to create a robust, resilient and globally competitive EV ecosystem in India.

Emphasising the need to deepen localisation, strengthen domestic supply chains and promote balanced regional industrial development, Kumaraswamy invited manufacturers of EV ancillaries, battery packs, ACC cells and components, charging equipment, thermal management systems and other associated technologies to explore investment opportunities in Mandya and establish manufacturing facilities in the district. The proposal received an encouraging response from industry participants, several of whom expressed interest in examining the possibility of setting up ancillary units in Mandya, recognising its potential to emerge as an important hub for electric mobility manufacturing in southern India.

The stakeholder consultation forms part of the Ministry's continued engagement with industry participants to identify sectoral requirements, address emerging challenges and facilitate policy interventions that support innovation, domestic value addition and the growth of a globally competitive electric mobility ecosystem aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

 

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