India aims to build resilient industries, livelihoods through EV push: H.D. Kumaraswamy

Kumaraswamy said the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for automobiles and components, with an outlay of ₹45,938 crore, aim to increase domestic value addition and global competitiveness.

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Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday said India aims to build resilient industries and sustainable livelihoods through its electric mobility strategy, positioning the country’s EV transition not only as an environmental imperative but also as a long-term economic opportunity.Speaking at the SIAM 5th Global Electric Mobility Summit, he said the transition has already moved “from intent to implementation”, supported by rising EV adoption, expanding charging infrastructure and a policy focus on domestic manufacturing.Kumaraswamy added that the electric mobility ecosystem would drive new opportunities across connected vehicles, data-driven fleet management and emerging transport models, enabling India to shift “from adoption to leadership” in the global EV landscape.Kumaraswamy said India’s automotive industry is valued at around $50 billion and operates within an economy now worth $4.18 trillion. He added that India is on course to become the world’s third-largest economy, projecting GDP to reach $7.3 trillion by 2030.

Citing the Economic Survey 2025–26, he said the EV market had recorded a compound annual growth rate of more than 60 per cent over the past six years. In 2024–25, registrations approached 2 million units, with two-wheelers being the key driver. Electric passenger vehicles crossed 100,000 units, while electric buses and commercial fleets continued to expand across states.

He said commercial vehicles, which account for more than 40 per cent of transport-linked pollution, require focused electrification. Under the PM E-Drive scheme, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has allocated ₹2,000 crore to set up over 70,000 charging stations across the country.

Manufacturing, battery capacity and budget measures

Kumaraswamy said the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for automobiles and components, with an outlay of ₹45,938 crore, aim to increase domestic value addition and global competitiveness.He said battery manufacturing remains central to India’s long-term capability. The PLI scheme for advanced chemistry cell batteries, with an outlay of ₹18,000 crore, targets 50 gigawatt of domestic cell manufacturing capacity and reduced import dependence.He noted Cabinet approval of the REPM scheme, with a budget of ₹7,280 crore, to promote the indigenous manufacturing of sintered rare-earth permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, defence systems and electronics.Budget announcements include regional corridors in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh for processing, component production and downstream applications.

He said capital goods for critical minerals manufacturing have been granted an exemption from basic customs duty. The budget also allocated about ₹30,000 crore for construction and infrastructure equipment manufacturing, along with two ITAP tool rooms to bolster precision manufacturing and skills.