Aero India 2025 move towards EV safety: Separate parking for electric vehicles

When Aero India 2025 takes off in Bengaluru on February 10th, it will showcase not only advanced aerospace technology but also a ground-level response to an increasingly complex challenge: the safety of electric vehicles (EVs). As Asia’s largest aero show, hosted at the Yelahanka Air Force Station, the event will feature a separate arrangement for EV parking, a move driven by a spate of safety concerns surrounding these vehicles.

The Bengaluru police, spearheading this precautionary measure, appear keen to tread cautiously. “For Aero India Show, we are segregating EV vehicles,” said M.N. Anucheth, Joint Police Commissioner (Traffic), Bengaluru, during a recent industry event. Explaining the rationale, he added, “Because we are not sure, and our experience with EV vehicles has not been good so far.” While the official admitted that managing EV risks is “a learning process,” the decision reflects a pragmatic approach to addressing the complexities of new-age mobility.

A balancing act

The move comes against the backdrop of several high-profile fire incidents involving EVs across India, a problem that has highlighted gaps in infrastructure readiness and regulatory oversight. By segregating EV parking, Bengaluru police hope to mitigate potential risks and simplify damage control in the unlikely event of an accident. For an event of Aero India’s scale—which routinely attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and high-profile dignitaries—this is a logistical necessity as much as a precautionary tale for the rapid adoption of EVs in the country.

This year’s edition promises an expansive spectacle, with February 10th to 12th reserved for industry professionals and February 13th and 14th open to the public. Alongside spectacular air displays, visitors can expect a sprawling exhibition of aerospace innovations, featuring military platforms, cutting-edge technologies, and the latest in commercial aviation. The programme includes a Defence Ministers’ Conclave, CEOs’ Roundtable, and the iDEX start-up event, making it a convergence point for policy, business, and innovation.

A global showcase

Since its inception in 1996, Aero India has firmly established itself as a premier aerospace exhibition. The 2023 edition drew over 7 lakh  visitors, with 98 countries represented and 809 exhibitors participating. Notably, it also facilitated 250 partnerships, including 201 memorandums of understanding, technology transfers, and deals valued at more than Rs 75,000 crore. 

The event’s growing stature comes at a time when India is positioning itself as a key hub in the global aerospace and defence value chain.

Navigating the EV transition

The decision to segregate EVs, while rooted in safety concerns, also points to a larger narrative about India’s EV transition. As the country pushes towards ambitious electrification goals, incidents like battery fires have exposed the need for robust regulation, improved battery technology, and extensive public awareness campaigns.

Aero India 2025, though a global aerospace stage, will serve as a microcosm for these challenges. Beyond its dazzling air displays and billion-dollar deals, it offers a reminder of the practical hurdles that come with technological progress—on the ground as well as in the skies.