India’s transition to electric mobility is no longer a distant goal — it is happening now. But behind every electric vehicle lies a deeper challenge: how to make these vehicles more affordable, efficient, and truly built in India.

At IIT Bombay, this challenge has turned into an opportunity — through a meaningful partnership with FORVIA HELLA built around a clear, shared vision: to develop smarter, more efficient electric vehicle technologies within India.

Rather than focusing on a single solution, the initiative takes a holistic approach — reimagining multiple core components of electric vehicles. From developing motors for electric three wheelers to designing compact power systems and intelligent monitoring tools, the project addresses the very building blocks that make EVs work.

Solving Real Problems, Simply

At its heart: designing motors built using locally available materials to reduce import dependence; creating integrated electronic systems that make EVs lighter and more cost-effective; and developing predictive tools that identify failures before they occur, improving safety and reliability.

Many critical EV components are currently imported, adding significantly to costs. By developing these technologies indigenously, the project is helping build a stronger, self-reliant EV ecosystem — particularly meaningful for segments like electric three-wheelers, which play a vital role in urban mobility and emissions reduction.

Beyond technology, the initiative is shaping people. Students and researchers work directly on real-world challenges, supported by advanced equipment and sustained industry interaction — producing engineers who are not just technically skilled, but industry-ready.

The C1973 EV Lab has been central to this journey. A defining moment came with the EV Tech Day, which brought together researchers, students, and industry leaders. The keynote by Mr. Naveen Gautam, Managing Director of Hella India Automotive, underscored the importance of collaborative innovation and led directly to the signing of an MoU, formally cementing the partnership through the Industry-Academia Partnership Program (I-APP).

Growing Research Leaders

This deepening collaboration also contributed to securing the E-RIDES project (Empowering Research in Indigenous Development of EV Subsystems), supported by FORVIA HELLA alongside 21 other industry partners, bringing together academic and industry stakeholders to advance indigenous EV technologies.

Together, these efforts go beyond individual projects—building a strong ecosystem for innovation, talent development, and self reliant electric mobility in India.