Karnataka to Establish EV City Near Bengaluru: The Hindu Business Line

The Karnataka government is moving forward with plans to establish dedicated electric vehicle manufacturing hubs near Bengaluru as part of its ambitious Clean Mobility Policy 2025-2030, according to The Hindu Business Line.

Three strategic locations have been designated as clean mobility clusters under the policy. The primary site is located in Harohalli, Ramanagara district, spanning 700 acres approximately 40 kilometers from Bengaluru. Two additional clusters have been identified at Chikkamalligewada in Dharwad district (1,000 acres, 30 kilometers from Hubballi airport) and Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapur district (825 acres, 70 kilometers from Bengaluru).

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) will oversee the development of plug-and-play infrastructure at these locations, with Phase 5 of the Harohalli industrial area receiving priority attention. These ready-to-use facilities are designed to accommodate smaller EV manufacturers, assembly units, and testing laboratories that may not have the capital to invest in land and buildings.

The infrastructure will support battery pack assembly operations, electric vehicle component manufacturing and assembly, and the development of charging infrastructure across the designated clusters.

This initiative forms part of Karnataka's broader Clean Mobility Policy 2025-30, which targets attracting investments worth ₹500 billion (approximately $5.755 billion) across the clean mobility value chain by 2030. The policy aims to position Karnataka as Asia's leading hub for clean mobility through sustainable development and innovation in electric vehicle and hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

According to a Department of Commerce and Industries official quoted by Moneycontrol, the plug-and-play facilities will significantly ease the entry barriers for small-scale EV manufacturers and testing facilities. The official noted that many smaller operations in the EV sector cannot afford substantial investments in real estate and infrastructure, making these ready-to-operate facilities essential for industry growth.

The Karnataka government's Clean Mobility Policy, effective from February 11, 2025, includes comprehensive incentives such as exemptions from road tax and registration charges for most electric vehicle categories, stamp duty concessions, and mandated parking reservations for clean-fuel vehicles in urban areas.