Strategic MoU Aims to Strengthen India’s Clean Mobility Ecosystem Under ‘Build in Bharat’ Initiative
New Delhi, India – In a significant push for homegrown EV manufacturing and deep-tech innovation the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ather Energy India’s leading electric scooter manufacturer. The partnership, facilitated by the Startup Policy Forum (SPF) will focus on mentorship, infrastructure support and policy advocacy to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable mobility.
Key Focus Areas of the DPIIT-Ather Energy MoU
1. Startup Mentorship & Ecosystem Development
✔ Strategic guidance for EV & deep-tech startups
✔ Incubation support for hardware innovators in batteries, charging infra, and smart mobility
2. Infrastructure & Innovation Programs
🔹 Bharat Startup Grand Challenge – Funding for breakthrough EV tech
🔹 Startup Mahakumbh participation – Showcasing Indian EV startups
🔹 Skill development initiatives – Training in EV manufacturing & R&D
3. Policy Advocacy & Industry Collaboration
- DPIIT-Ather working groups to address regulatory bottlenecks
- Public-private dialogues on PLI schemes, FDI, and local sourcing norms
Why This Partnership Matters?
✅ Accelerating India’s EV Manufacturing Capabilities
- Supports Make in India for batteries, motors, and power electronics
- Reduces reliance on Chinese imports in the EV supply chain
✅ Empowering Hardware & Deep-Tech Startups
- EV startups struggle with capital-intensive R&D – Ather’s expertise will help bridge gaps
- Focus on Tier-2/3 innovators via on-ground exposure visits
✅ Aligning with National Climate Goals
- Supports India’s net-zero 2070 target
- Promotes clean mobility job creation
Leadership Perspectives
Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT:
“This partnership will catalyze an enabling environment for EV startups to drive innovation in manufacturing, battery tech, and clean energy solutions.”
Tarun Mehta, CEO & Co-founder, Ather Energy:
“With policy support and industry collaboration, we can help startups solve core tech challenges and scale high-quality products from India.”
Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President, Startup Policy Forum:
“The Build in Bharat initiative aims to unlock India’s manufacturing potential through public-private synergy.”
Expected Outcomes
🔹 50+ EV startups mentored in the next 2 years
🔹 3-5 breakthrough innovations funded via Bharat Startup Challenge
🔹 Stronger policy framework for EV component manufacturing
Conclusion:
This DPIIT-Ather Energy collaboration marks a major leap in India’s quest for EV self-reliance. By combining government policy muscle with industry expertise, the partnership can transform India into a global hub for affordable, sustainable mobility solutions.
Next Steps?
- Watch for startup grants under Bharat Grand Challenge
- Potential PLI scheme expansions for EV components