Kumaraswamy Stresses Inclusive, Affordable Shift to Electric Mobility

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday underlined the need for an inclusive, affordable and economically sustainable transition to electric mobility, speaking at an interaction with electric vehicle beneficiaries and distributors from across the country at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, brought together EV users, dealers, manufacturers and industry bodies to share their experiences and perspectives on the adoption of electric vehicles.

Kumaraswamy described India's shift towards electric mobility as a transformative journey and reiterated the government's commitment to building an Atmanirbhar Bharat and realising the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. He appreciated the role of the Prime Minister's leadership in driving the transition towards a cleaner and greener transportation ecosystem, and acknowledged the Ministry's efforts in implementing schemes aimed at accelerating EV adoption and domestic manufacturing.

He pointed to the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, which supports EV adoption and charging infrastructure, and the PLI-Auto and PLI-ACC schemes, which are strengthening domestic manufacturing of advanced automotive technologies and battery cells. The Minister stressed that the transition must be backed by robust manufacturing, innovation and a strong ecosystem, and urged stakeholders to work towards a seamless, accessible and globally competitive electric mobility network.

Kumaraswamy also emphasised the importance of hearing from users on the ground, noting that feedback from beneficiaries and distributors would help refine policy implementation and address emerging requirements across different segments.

In his opening remarks, Additional Secretary Dr. Hanif Qureshi said localisation is key to building a resilient and self-reliant automotive ecosystem, and noted that initiatives such as PM E-DRIVE and PLI-Auto are supporting domestic production of critical EV components.

Secretary Kamran Rizvi highlighted India's rapid progress in the sector, calling electric mobility a major opportunity for the country to become a global player. He listed key initiatives including FAME I and II, PLI Auto, PLI-ACC, PM E-DRIVE, PM-eBus Sewa (PSM) and the Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Scheme, and asked industry to focus on cost competitiveness, technology and global capabilities.

Industry representatives who addressed the gathering included Sai Giridhar, President of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations; Sushant Naik, Chairman of the EMG at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers; and Anjali Singh, President Designate of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India. They shared their views on the evolving electric mobility landscape and the industry's experience with growing EV adoption.

Beneficiaries from different parts of the country offered ground-level accounts of using electric vehicles. One user described how an electric two-wheeler supports daily mobility and livelihood at lower running costs, while Sunita Chaudhary, an e-three-wheeler driver, spoke about using her vehicle for a livelihood and the benefits of reduced running costs and less driving fatigue. Participants also discussed the suitability of electric four-wheelers for everyday passenger mobility and cleaner transportation.

The beneficiaries expressed confidence in continued government support and enabling policies to strengthen India's electric mobility ecosystem. The programme reaffirmed the government's commitment to advancing the country's Net Zero goals, promoting domestic manufacturing and building a sustainable and self-reliant electric mobility ecosystem.