DPIIT Signs MoU with Ather Energy to Accelerate EV Manufacturing and Clean Mobility in India

In a strategic move to bolster India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based EV manufacturer Ather Energy. The partnership aims to strengthen the country’s clean mobility ecosystem and support deep-tech startups in the EV value chain.

A Push for Indigenous Innovation

The collaboration is part of the Build in Bharat initiative, led by the Startup Policy Forum (SPF)—a coalition of over 50 innovation-driven startups focused on hardware and manufacturing. The MoU outlines a multi-pronged strategy to:

• Provide strategic mentorship for startups developing core EV and battery technologies. 
• Offer infrastructure access and exposure to manufacturing processes. 
• Launch joint innovation programs like the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge. 
• Host skill development initiatives and national events such as Startup Mahakumbh

Voices from the Partnership

Joint Secretary of DPIIT, Sanjiv Singh, emphasized the transformative potential of the EV sector:

Through this partnership with Ather Energy, we aim to catalyse an enabling environment where startups can contribute meaningfully to EV manufacturing, battery innovation, and clean energy solutions.

Ather Energy’s Co-founder and CEO, Tarun Mehta, echoed the sentiment:

We are happy to collaborate with DPIIT to strengthen support systems for hardware and deep-tech startups. With policy support and stronger industry participation, this initiative can help founders tackle core technology challenges and scale high-quality products from India.

Strategic Impact

The MoU is expected to:

• Bridge the gap between early-stage ventures and industrial-scale opportunities. 
• Promote localisation of EV components and battery innovation
• Expand India’s startup base in clean mobility and advanced manufacturing

President and CEO of the Startup Policy Forum, Shweta Rajpal Kohli, described the partnership as a milestone:

Unlocking the potential of India’s manufacturing sector through collaboration is key to building a globally competitive innovation ecosystem.

Context and Momentum

The DPIIT–Ather Energy pact comes amid growing momentum in India’s EV sector, driven by policy incentives, state-level EV programs, and rising consumer adoption. It follows DPIIT’s recent MoU with Maruti Suzuki India, signaling a broader push to integrate startups into the country’s industrial growth narrative.