India’s electric mobility journey reached a significant milestone with the successful organisation of EV Conclave 2025 at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. Held on the theme “Policy Roadmap: Driving Local Content through Academia–Industry Alignment”, the conclave brought together senior policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, and skill-development experts to deliberate on strategies for accelerating India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.
The conclave was organised by Shikhar – Organisation for Social Development, with support from the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT). Leading automotive and EV companies and IIT Madras as knowledge partner, reflecting strong stakeholder engagement across the sector.
Keynote Address & Policy Vision
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS, Additional Secretary (Automotive), Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, outlined India’s ambitious electric mobility vision, targeting 30% EV penetration in new vehicle sales by 2030. He highlighted the critical role of government initiatives such as FAME-II and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes in promoting EV adoption, innovation, and domestic manufacturing.
Dr. Qureshi also underscored the importance of the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP), which aims to increase domestic value addition to 50% over the next five years, thereby strengthening localisation, reducing import dependency, and advancing self-reliance in the EV sector.
Academia–Industry Collaboration
A central theme of the conclave was the need for deep and sustained collaboration between academia and industry to bridge skill gaps and develop a future-ready EV workforce. Speakers emphasised joint R&D initiatives, industry-aligned curricula, internships, faculty-industry exchange programmes, and hands-on training as key enablers for building a robust and sustainable EV ecosystem.
Distinguished Speakers & Panel Discussions
The conclave featured eminent speakers and panelists, including:
Dr. Hanif Qureshi, IPS
Additional Secretary (Automotive), Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India Mrs. Padma Jaiswal, IAS
Secretary to Government, Union Territory of Puducherry
Prof. Karthick Athmanathan
Professor, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
Ms. Aiswarya Raman
Director – Public Policy, Ola Electric
Prof. (Dr.) R. K. Suri
Director, Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Jamia Millia Islamia
Mr. Saurabh Dalela
Director, International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT)
Mr. R. Velusamy
Head – Automotive Product Development, Mahindra & Mahindra
Mr. Bhaktha Keshavachar
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chara Technologies
Mr. Rakesh Shrivastav
Chief Evangelist & Senior Fellow, Automotive & ICEA
Mr. Nagendra Hebbar
General Manager, Bosch Automotive Electronics
Prof. (Dr.) B. K. Panigrahi
Professor, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
Mr. Om Krishn Singh
Joint Director (Scientist), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India Mr. Arindam Lahiri
Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC)
Mr. Amit Tyagi
Head – Human Resources, IPL Tech
Mr. Saleem Ahmed
Maruti Suzuki India Limited
Mr. Nadeem Akhtar
Chief Executive Officer, Shikhar – Organisation for Social Development
Two focused panel discussions were conducted on:
- Indigenisation of Electric Vehicles
- Building the EV Workforce for the Future
Both sessions witnessed in-depth deliberations and active interaction with participants. Investment, Employment & Sustainability
Industry leaders highlighted that India’s EV transition is attracting significant investments from automotive and technology companies. The sector is expected to generate over 10 million direct jobs and nearly 50 million indirect jobs by 2030, positioning electric mobility as a key driver of employment, energy security, emission reduction, and sustainable economic growth.
Industry & Event Partners
The conclave was supported by leading industry partners, including OLA Electric, UNO Minda, Sona Comstar, TVS, and Kinetic Green, reflecting strong industry confidence in India’s EV roadmap.
Closing Remarks
In his closing remarks, Mr. Nadeem Akhtar, CEO, Shikhar, emphasised that India’s EV transition is a collective mission that requires sustained collaboration among government, industry, academia, and civil society.
EV Conclave 2025 reaffirmed India’s commitment to emerging as a global hub for electric vehicles, innovation, and skilled talent—driving the nation toward a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable future.
