India's Auto Industry Convenes to Address Electric Vehicle Scale-Up Challenges

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) hosted the fifth Global Electrification Mobility Summit on February 10, 2026, focusing on strategies to scale India's electric vehicle adoption through policy coordination, infrastructure development, and industry collaboration.

Union Minister of Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy told attendees that electric vehicle sales crossed two million units in fiscal year 2025, and the government plans to establish 70,000 charging stations across the country. Kumaraswamy said India's automotive industry is among the fastest-growing globally and is positioned to set benchmarks as the country aims to become the world's third-largest economy.

The summit launched a SIAM whitepaper titled "Roadmap for accelerated adoption of E-buses in India" during a ministerial session. Dr. Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Heavy Industries, reported that EV sales increased by 25 percent and attributed the growth to policy continuity and the PM E-Drive initiative.

Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority, noted that EV growth is accelerating from 8 percent toward 49 percent penetration. He emphasized the need for coordination with electricity distribution companies as heavy-duty and last-mile charging infrastructure expands.

SIAM President Shailesh Chandra, who also serves as Managing Director and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said electrification has become a mainstream economic driver. He identified sustained research and development, ecosystem collaboration, and sustainability as factors that will determine affordability and scale.

The summit included sessions on charging infrastructure scalability, grid readiness, and digital transformation in mobility. Industry executives from Hyundai Motor India, Yamaha Motor India, Olectra, and BMW Group India participated in discussions on new vehicle launches and government policies.

Dhiraj Kumar Srivastava, Chief Engineer at the Ministry of Power, said the charging system has been de-licensed and the number of charging stations exceeds 8,000. He stated that increasing charging capacity will drive greater EV adoption.

Padma Jaiswal, Secretary to the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, called for tailoring electrification to India's conditions, including climate, road infrastructure, and the development of a circular economy to extract critical minerals from end-of-life vehicles.

The summit also featured an innovators conclave with presentations on ultra-fast charging systems, battery-motor integration, and the application of artificial intelligence in EV training programs.

SIAM is an industry body representing vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India. The organization focuses on environmental improvement, safety standards, and supporting the automobile industry's contribution to economic development.