Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday, 4 July chaired a high-level meeting in Bengaluru with leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, pledging full ministerial support to build a robust, innovation-driven and globally competitive electric mobility ecosystem in India. The discussions centred on deepening indigenous manufacturing, unlocking export potential, and securing continued policy backing for the sector.

Key Developments from the Meeting

Electric two-wheeler makers briefed the minister on their progress in developing homegrown platforms and technologies, highlighting advances in indigenous engineering, product development, and domestic manufacturing capacity. The delegation articulated a shared vision of positioning India as a major global manufacturing hub for electric two-wheelers.

A central ask from the industry was the extension of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, which currently includes support for the electric two-wheeler segment as part of the Centre's broader clean mobility push. Manufacturers also called for a revision of the PLI Auto Scheme to better align with the sector's evolving requirements — including incentives to scale production and strengthen presence in both domestic and export markets.

What the Government Said

Responding to the industry delegation, Kumaraswamy assured that the Ministry of Heavy Industries would extend all possible support to strengthen India's electric two-wheeler ecosystem and encourage domestic manufacturing, innovation, and exports. He reaffirmed the Central government's commitment to creating an environment where Indian manufacturers can innovate, scale, and compete globally.

The minister also linked the sector's growth to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national goal of achieving Net Zero by 2070, stating that the transition to clean mobility and the expansion of indigenous EV manufacturing would be critical to realising that vision. He further underlined that building globally competitive domestic enterprises is central to the country's trajectory toward Viksit Bharat 2047 and the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat agenda.

Who Was in the Room

The industry delegation comprised some of India's most prominent electric two-wheeler entrepreneurs: Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of Ather Energy; Mohal Lalbhai, Founder and CEO of Matter; Aravind Mani, Co-Founder and CEO of River; Saurav Kumar, Founder and CEO of Euler Motors; and Dinesh Arjun, Co-Founder and CEO of Raptee.HV. The presence of multiple startup founders alongside established players signals the breadth of the sector's ambitions.

Why This Matters for India's EV Ambitions

India's electric two-wheeler segment has emerged as one of the fastest-growing verticals in the country's broader EV transition, with domestic manufacturers increasingly challenging global incumbents on technology and price. This comes amid intensifying global competition from Chinese EV manufacturers, making indigenous capability-building not just an industrial priority but a strategic one.

Notably, the push to extend the PM E-DRIVE Scheme and revise the PLI Auto Scheme reflects industry concern that current policy timelines may not be sufficient to sustain the investment momentum needed for global scale. With the government's Net Zero and Viksit Bharat commitments on the line, the outcome of these policy deliberations could shape the sector's trajectory for the next decade.