EV manufacturing India: H D Kumaraswamy urges investment in batteries, software and hydrogen

Union Minister for Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy urged the automobile industry to put more money into electric powertrains and batteries. H D Kumaraswamy also asked firms to back power electronics and lightweight materials. The push included vehicle software and hydrogen technologies. H D Kumaraswamy spoke while opening six new EKA Mobility factories with Pinnacle Industries.

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The six facilities were opened online by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways. The event included HD Kumaraswamy and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Sunetra Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, attended. BJP National General Secretary Organisation BL Santhosh and Murlidhar Mohol were also present.

Automobile industry investment in electric vehicles and local technology

H D Kumaraswamy said India is moving towards becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse. H D Kumaraswamy linked this to Aatmnirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat in 2047. H D Kumaraswamy said the vision supports local manufacturing and technology work. H D Kumaraswamy also connected it to sustainable mobility goals.

H D Kumaraswamy said wider local capacity in electric commercial vehicles is building confidence. H D Kumaraswamy also cited growth in automotive components and engineering solutions. H D Kumaraswamy said the auto and auto-component sector is key to India’s manufacturing plan. H D Kumaraswamy said it supports millions of livelihoods and many linked industries.

H D Kumaraswamy said the sector lifts steel, electronics, engineering, and services. H D Kumaraswamy also referred to a large ecosystem linked to electricity needs. H D Kumaraswamy said the Ministry of Heavy Industries is turning policy goals into outcomes. "Our schemes are supporting investment, domestic value addition, advanced technology, manufacturing and transition to cleaner mobility,\" H D Kumaraswamy said.

H D Kumaraswamy said progress is not only about electric vehicle sales numbers. H D Kumaraswamy said results should include technology made in India. H D Kumaraswamy also pointed to local value addition and MSME roles in supply chains. H D Kumaraswamy said Indian products must also compete well in global markets.

Automobile industry projects at EKA Mobility and manufacturing facilities

Nitin Gadkari called the automobile industry the backbone of Indian industry. Nitin Gadkari said India should aim for fully local electric vehicles. \"To become a self-reliant India, we need 100 per cent indigenous electric vehicles, and this is our dream,\" Nitin Gadkari said. The statement came during the same inauguration programme.

Before the opening, dignitaries joined EKA Mobility and group companies for another announcement. The group unveiled a manufacturing ecosystem worth over Rs 3,500 crore. The plan focused on electric commercial mobility in India. The project was presented alongside the start of the six new manufacturing units.

Sudhir Mehta, Founder and Chairman, EKA Mobility and Group Companies, linked the opening to long-term goals. \"The inauguration of six manufacturing facilities across our group reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, indigenous engineering, sustainable mobility, and manufacturing excellence. These facilities are more than infrastructure; they represent our vision of creating world-class capabilities, generating meaningful employment, nurturing talent, and contributing to Indias emergence as a global manufacturing powerhouse,\" Sudhir Mehta said.

\"As we take this significant step forward, we remain focused on delivering transformative mobility solutions that create lasting value for our customers, our nation, and future generations,\" Sudhir Mehta added. The group said it operates 11 manufacturing facilities spread across 120 acres. Six of these were opened at EKA Avirbhava. The sites can produce over 40,000 electric vehicles each year.

The group said it has invested over Rs 3,500 crore to build the manufacturing ecosystem. The company described it as one of the largest commercial electric vehicle investments in India. It also said more than Rs 600 crore has been spent on R&D. EKA said the 11 facilities may create over 2.5 lakh jobs in five years.

With inputs from PTI