Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy met founders from several Indian electric vehicle startups, where industry leaders urged the government to revisit the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme’s eligibility framework to enable more new-age EV companies to qualify for incentives.
Some of the participating founders, including Ather Energy co-founder Tarun Mehta, argued that changes to the Auto PLI framework would help level the playing field for electric-first companies, many of which continue to invest heavily in research, product development and manufacturing capacity while operating at a much smaller scale than established automotive manufacturers. They said revisiting the scheme’s eligibility framework would enable more new-age EV companies to qualify for incentives and further accelerate investment, exports and job creation.
The meeting brought together Ather Energy co-founder Tarun Mehta, River co-founder Aravind Mani, Euler Motors founder and CEO Saurav Kumar, Matter founder Mohal Lalbhai and Raptee founder Dinesh Arjun, who discussed ways to increase domestic manufacturing, expand exports and strengthen India’s position as a global hub for electric mobility.
The request comes against the backdrop of the current Auto PLI scheme, whose eligibility criteria and one-time application window meant that several newer electric vehicle companies remained outside the scheme when it was rolled out. Earlier this year, a Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended greater flexibility in the eligibility criteria for high-potential domestic players and startups, particularly in the electric two-wheeler segment, while companies including Ather Energy and River have sought changes to allow more new-age manufacturers to participate.
According to statements shared by Kumaraswamy and the participating founders on social media, the discussions centred on enhancing India’s EV manufacturing ecosystem, encouraging greater domestic value addition and creating stronger demand for Made-in-India electric vehicles in both domestic and international markets.
In a post following the meeting, Tarun Mehta said new-age EV companies are among India’s largest investors in research and development and manufacturing, while also leading investments, capacity creation and job generation across the sector. He said bringing such businesses within the ambit of the Auto PLI scheme could further accelerate exports, encourage fresh investments and provide a level playing field for companies building electric vehicle technologies in India. Mehta added that the industry looked forward to further engagement with policymakers and the Ministry of Heavy Industries in the coming weeks.
Kumaraswamy, in a separate statement, said the discussions focused on opportunities to increase domestic production and create greater demand for electric vehicles manufactured in India. He also said the meeting explored ways to strengthen the supporting ecosystem required for electric two-wheelers and other EV products.
The minister said industry representatives appreciated the government’s PM E-DRIVE and PLI Auto schemes and reiterated the Centre’s commitment to supporting a robust, innovative and globally competitive EV manufacturing ecosystem. He added that the government’s efforts remain aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the country’s net-zero emissions target by 2070 and the broader goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The meeting comes as India continues to sharpen its focus on expanding domestic electric vehicle manufacturing, localisation and exports while encouraging greater investment in advanced automotive technologies. The industry’s request to revisit the Auto PLI framework is expected to form part of its ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Heavy Industries in the coming weeks.
