Amidst anticipation for the forthcoming guidelines of India’s new Electric Vehicle (EV) policy, companies are preparing to leverage the opportunities it presents. The policy, offering incentives such as reduced customs duties on limited car imports, underscores a strategic push towards encouraging domestic production and localization efforts.
As per the policy framework, companies venturing into EV manufacturing must commit to setting up facilities within three years and achieving a localisation threshold of 50 per cent within five years. Moreover, a minimum investment of ₹4,150 crore ($500 million) is mandated for initiating commercial production in India. This initiative aligns with the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the Automotive Sector, launched in September 2021, which has garnered significant investor interest, surpassing initial investment estimates. The scheme has attracted a proposed investment of Rs 74,850 Cr ($9 Bn) against the target estimate of investment of Rs 42,500 Cr ($5.1 Bn) over a period of five years, according to estimates.
Founders and investors share their perspectives on these developments; as significant steps towards reinforcing India’s stature as a global manufacturing powerhouse –
Sameer Agarwal, CEO & Founder of Revfin, expressed his enthusiasm and anticipate the upcoming EV policy guidelines with great optimism as it will be an opportunity for the entire EV ecosystem to transition from side-lines to mainstream.
“The evolving regulatory framework, as we see is expected to expand capacities in brownfield facilities and enhance capabilities, thus pushing the agenda of ‘Make – in – India’ mission. The new policy will not only bring investments, but also globally proven technologies to the country in such brownfield projects to future proof manufacturing and product development initiatives,” he said.
By augmentation of existing infrastructure, the EV industry will gain a competitive edge, making adoption more accessible. The cost advantage will allow easy adoption of electric vehicles, increasing their accessibility for a wider range of consumers. This will not only drive demand but also encourage sustainable mobility solutions, aligning with our collective efforts towards a greener future, he added further.
VG Anil, CEO, ARENQ, manufacturers of batteries and energy storage solutions, said “EV policy guidelines will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable mobility. These guidelines should prioritise technological innovation, promote research and development initiatives, and ensure a supportive ecosystem for the growth of the EV batteries industry. By fostering collaboration between government, industry stakeholders, and environmental advocates, we can drive positive change and accelerate the transition towards a greener and more electrified transportation sector.” he said.
Karan Mehta, Venture Principal, Green Frontier Capital, a venture capital fund pioneering sustainable finance in India, said “India has taken a significant step towards promoting Green Policy in the region and the introduction of its new EV Policy is another example of it. This move by the government, which has not been seen in the automobile sector for many years, is expected to accelerate the transition to cleaner mobility solutions,”
“The investment thresholds associated with this policy are expected to attract new companies that are leaders in Western markets, creating new green jobs in India, as well as fostering strong technological and strategic partnerships with OEMs in India to set up or modify their existing vehicle manufacturing plants.” he added.
In addition to the PLI scheme for batteries and other components, the government is paving the way for India to become a manufacturing powerhouse in the electric mobility segment.
