Quick Takeaways
- India electric mobility hub potential can redefine India’s global automotive position.
- Tata Motors sees electrification as a growth catalyst for manufacturing and innovation.
India electric mobility hub ambitions are gaining clarity as the automotive sector undergoes a historic transformation. Speaking at SIAT 2026, organised by the Automotive Research Association of India, Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said India has a unique opportunity to emerge as a global centre for electric and sustainable mobility.
He described electrification as an opportunity rather than a constraint, stating that the clean mobility transition can position India as a hub for electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, and innovation. This shift, he said, is supported by strengthening supply chains, aligned policies, and deeper collaboration between industry and academia.
India Electric Mobility Hub Shaped by Three Transitions
Chandra said the automotive industry is currently navigating three parallel transitions that will define India’s role in the global mobility ecosystem:
How these transitions are managed, he noted, will determine India’s long-term competitiveness and relevance.
Sustainability as a National Imperative
“Sustainability is no longer a choice but an immediate national challenge,” Chandra said. He explained that India’s economic growth and rising mobility aspirations must align with cleaner technologies, lower emissions, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
He added that the shift toward zero-emission mobility represents a systemic change, requiring coordinated participation across the entire automotive ecosystem, from manufacturers and suppliers to policymakers and technology providers.
Scaling Innovation and Manufacturing Capabilities
Emphasising execution at scale, Chandra said the industry must move beyond incremental improvements and focus on industrialising new technologies. Stronger collaboration between automakers, suppliers, and technology partners is essential to achieve this transition efficiently.
“This transition is a catalyst for long-term innovation and positions India to play a larger role in global manufacturing networks,” he said, highlighting the strategic importance of capability building and localisation.
Safety and Technology as Growth Enablers
On safety, Chandra said the industry has made significant progress over the past decade through stronger vehicle structures, improved restraint systems, and the adoption of global safety practices. He noted that the next phase must focus on accident prevention through wider deployment of active safety and driver-assistance technologies.
He also stressed the value of credible and transparent testing infrastructure, adding that locally relevant safety assessment frameworks have helped make safety measurable, competitive, and easier for consumers to understand.
Addressing technology trends, Chandra said Indian customers are becoming more informed and digitally aware, with expectations for connectivity, safety, and advanced features extending across all segments, including entry-level vehicles. He noted that vehicles are increasingly evolving from mechanical products into software-defined machines, where software shapes user experience and enables continuous improvement over the vehicle lifecycle.
Looking ahead, Chandra said India’s automotive growth story remains strong, driven by rising aspirations and expanding global relevance. The shift toward electrification, higher safety standards, and software-led vehicles, he added, should be seen as markers of growth, supported by strong partnerships, sustained capability development, and intelligent use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
He described electrification as an opportunity rather than a constraint, stating that the clean mobility transition can position India as a hub for electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, and innovation. This shift, he said, is supported by strengthening supply chains, aligned policies, and deeper collaboration between industry and academia.
India Electric Mobility Hub Shaped by Three Transitions
Chandra said the automotive industry is currently navigating three parallel transitions that will define India’s role in the global mobility ecosystem:
- Sustainability as a core industrial priority
- Enhanced vehicle safety expectations
- Rapid technological advancement across products and processes
How these transitions are managed, he noted, will determine India’s long-term competitiveness and relevance.
Sustainability as a National Imperative
“Sustainability is no longer a choice but an immediate national challenge,” Chandra said. He explained that India’s economic growth and rising mobility aspirations must align with cleaner technologies, lower emissions, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
He added that the shift toward zero-emission mobility represents a systemic change, requiring coordinated participation across the entire automotive ecosystem, from manufacturers and suppliers to policymakers and technology providers.
Scaling Innovation and Manufacturing Capabilities
Emphasising execution at scale, Chandra said the industry must move beyond incremental improvements and focus on industrialising new technologies. Stronger collaboration between automakers, suppliers, and technology partners is essential to achieve this transition efficiently.
“This transition is a catalyst for long-term innovation and positions India to play a larger role in global manufacturing networks,” he said, highlighting the strategic importance of capability building and localisation.
Safety and Technology as Growth Enablers
On safety, Chandra said the industry has made significant progress over the past decade through stronger vehicle structures, improved restraint systems, and the adoption of global safety practices. He noted that the next phase must focus on accident prevention through wider deployment of active safety and driver-assistance technologies.
He also stressed the value of credible and transparent testing infrastructure, adding that locally relevant safety assessment frameworks have helped make safety measurable, competitive, and easier for consumers to understand.
Addressing technology trends, Chandra said Indian customers are becoming more informed and digitally aware, with expectations for connectivity, safety, and advanced features extending across all segments, including entry-level vehicles. He noted that vehicles are increasingly evolving from mechanical products into software-defined machines, where software shapes user experience and enables continuous improvement over the vehicle lifecycle.
Looking ahead, Chandra said India’s automotive growth story remains strong, driven by rising aspirations and expanding global relevance. The shift toward electrification, higher safety standards, and software-led vehicles, he added, should be seen as markers of growth, supported by strong partnerships, sustained capability development, and intelligent use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
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