New Delhi: India’s push toward a sustainable electric mobility ecosystem took a significant step forward as researchers, industry leaders, and experts from across the country convened for the MAHA Electric Vehicle (EV) Mission stakeholder meeting. Hosted under the Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA), the meeting held at Vigyan Bhawan fostered collaboration on India’s e-mobility goals, focusing on cutting-edge developments in EV battery technology, power electronics, and charging infrastructure.
Addressing the gathering, Professor Ajay K Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, emphasized the importance of the mission in supporting India’s sustainable mobility shift. “This mission is poised to catalyze innovation and collaboration, enabling India to build robust expertise in EV technology,” he stated. The meeting also marked the launch of the first call for proposals under the newly operational Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and CEO of ANRF, elaborated on the ambitious aims of the MAHA-EV Mission. “Through ANRF, we are making significant investments and have set up a high-powered governing board to guide this mission. Our consortia-mode approach encourages interdisciplinary R&D across institutions, labs, and industry to accelerate technological advancements,” he explained. The MAHA-EV Mission, he added, will drive innovation in areas of EV battery development, machines and drives, and the establishment of EV-friendly infrastructure.
The MAHA-EV Mission’s first call aims to expedite India’s advancements in EV technology, contributing to national sustainability targets and further positioning the country as a global leader in e-mobility. With over 300 participants joining the meeting, both in-person and virtually, representatives from academia, government agencies, and industry underscored the nation’s commitment to fostering an indigenous R&D ecosystem in electric mobility.
Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey, Program Coordinator of the EV Mission at ANRF, highlighted the role of partnerships in accelerating India’s EV landscape. “Collaboration between government, academia, and industry will bring us closer to substantial breakthroughs in this field,” he noted.
On the event’s sidelines, Prof. Karandikar unveiled three thematic R&D Roadmaps focusing on Tropical EV Battery, Power Electronics, Machines and Drives, and EV Charging Infrastructure, prepared by the DST. These roadmaps, now available on the DST website, represent comprehensive frameworks to guide research in essential e-mobility areas.
The MAHA-EV initiative, a culmination of earlier White Papers and the eMobility R&D Roadmap published by DST, intends to elevate India’s competitive edge in the global EV sector. The event was attended by senior DST and ANRF officials, including Dr. Anita Gupta, Head of Climate, Energy, and Sustainable Transport (CEST), further emphasizing the government’s prioritization of sustainable, homegrown electric mobility solutions.
With India’s MAHA-EV Mission aiming to accelerate advancements in EV technology, experts at the meeting recognized the initiative’s potential to shape the future of Indian transportation and contribute to a sustainable global economy.