India Launches “e-Mobility R&D Roadmap” to Propel Automotive Sector Towards Self-Reliance and Global Leadership

New Delhi: The “e-mobility R&D Roadmap for India” report was officially launched today by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe. The comprehensive roadmap, developed after extensive horizon scanning of the global automotive sector, outlines a strategic plan to advance India’s position in the electric mobility (e-mobility) landscape. It categorizes research projects into four crucial areas: Energy Storage Cells, EV Aggregates, Materials and Recycling, and Charging and Refueling, aiming to achieve Atmanirbhar (self-reliance) status within the next five years.

The hybrid-mode launch event saw participation from government officials, members of the Consultative Group on e-Mobility (CGeM), industry representatives, think tanks, and the media.

Prominent attendees included Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; Dr. Reji Mathai, Director General of the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune; and Dr. K. Balasubramanian, Director of the Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre (NFTDC), Hyderabad.

In his opening address, Prof. Sood emphasized India’s commitment to reducing emission intensity by 45% by 2030 and achieving energy independence by 2047, in line with the nation’s net-zero commitment by 2070. He highlighted the critical need for wider adoption of electric vehicles, indigenous manufacturing of energy storage systems, and the generation of renewable energy for charging infrastructures. Prof. Sood pointed out that the current e-mobility value chain relies heavily on imports and stressed the necessity of bolstering domestic R&D capabilities in the automotive sector.

Dr. Preeti Banzal, Adviser, Office of the PSA, provided an overview of the Office’s significant efforts towards building a robust R&D ecosystem in the automotive sector. She noted that the Office of PSA established the Consultative Group on e-Mobility (CGeM) in August 2022, comprising experts from government, academia, and industry to devise technical roadmaps for transitioning from fossil fuel-based transportation to electric mobility in India. The roadmap document was prepared by ARAI under CGeM’s guidance.

Prof. Karthick Athmanathan, PSA Fellow and Professor of Practice at IIT Madras, presented a summary of the e-mobility R&D roadmap. He explained how the roadmap addresses the need to move away from import dependence and prepares India for future technological developments. Prof. Athmanathan highlighted that the identified research projects aim for both technology deployment and market leadership, prioritizing projects based on their potential impact on national energy independence, implementation feasibility, market dominance, and their ability to leverage existing infrastructure and resources.

During the question-and-answer session with the press, it was evident that the e-mobility R&D roadmap sets a clear path towards independence and self-sufficiency. It outlines critical research initiatives designed to position India as a leader in the global value and supply chains within the next five to seven years. This roadmap addresses significant gaps in the current R&D framework and includes projects that, while yet to achieve global success, lay a strong foundation for future innovations.