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.

Subsidiaries of Tata Motors and Tata Power Collab to Offer Combined Solution of Electric Vehicles and Solar Rooftop Systems

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility to Enable Customers Get Solar Rooftop Systems Installed on Their EVs in Partnership with Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. (TPREL)

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. (TPEML), a subsidiary of Tata Motors for passenger electric vehicles in India, will now enable customers to get a solar rooftop system installed through Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. (TPREL), a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Ltd.. Both the companies have joined hands to drive zero-emissions mobility in India through a combined solution of Electric Vehicles and Solar Rooftop Systems.

Through this collaboration, TPEML will enable customers to get a solar rooftop system installed through TPREL. In addition, both companies will promote EVs / EV Charging and Solar Rooftop Systems to their respective customers to drive awareness of the benefits of solutions.

Electric Vehicles (EVs), which have zero tailpipe emissions, and solar power systems, which generate emissions-free electricity, are both key enablers in India’s journey towards Net Zero emissions. The Government of India has been supporting EVs through multiple initiatives over the last several years, and the recently launched PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana aims to provide subsidized solar rooftop installations to 1 crore households.

While both EVs and Solar Rooftop Systems deliver an independent business case for customers, combining the two solutions delivers several additional benefits to customers, such as:

• Reducing the total cost of ownership for EVs
• Reducing the electricity bill for EV customers
• Accelerating the payback for solar rooftop owners who buy an EV
• Providing 100% emissions free power for EVs

In addition, combining Solar Rooftop Systems with EVs de-couples the well-to-wheel emissions of EVs from the grid mix, thus offering a much faster path towards net zero emissions for the transportation sector.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. said, “India’s net zero journey can only be achieved by switching to EVs and renewable power. We see significant synergies between the customers of EVs and solar rooftop systems. Over 90% of EV customers use home charging and nearly 30% of our EV owners are already using Solar Rooftop Systems. Combining forces with Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd., we intend to democratize zero-emissions mobility and decouple EVs from the grid, while reducing running costs for customers.”

Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO&MD Tata Power, said, “Combination of Solar rooftop and EV is a promising, cost-effective, sustainable solution for India and hence naturally complementary. Both solutions appeal to the same set of eco-friendly and value-conscious customers. We are excited to collaborate with Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. to drive greater adoption of Rooftop Systems and EVs and provide discerning customers with an opportunity to contribute to reducing emissions while saving money.”

Tata Power is fuelling the growth in the solar rooftop sector through its nationwide campaign on ‘GharGharSolar, Tata Power ke Sangh’. Tata Power plans to aggressively promote solar rooftop adoption through its extensive network of over 700 channel partners and retailers to cover every nook and corner of the country. Notably, the company has served over 1,00,000 satisfied customers across India. Tata Power has installed a substantial number of 101,924 home chargers and 5,600 public chargers across India.

Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd. through its extensive EV charging network of 5,600 public charging points is strategically positioned across India to provide solar-powered charging solutions. Present across prominent highways and diverse locations such as hotels, malls, offices, hospitals, residential complexes, etc., TPREL is playing a pivotal role in accelerating e-mobility adoption across the country.