India and Germany convened a high-profile roundtable this week to explore integrated strategies for advancing electric mobility, emphasizing a comprehensive, ecosystem-driven approach. According to a statement issued by the German Embassy in India, the two countries are focusing on five strategic priorities, including scalable financing, battery preparedness, and workforce development for the next phase of India’s e-mobility transition.
Participants highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts to move beyond isolated pilot projects toward a harmonized national framework. The ninth edition of the GSDP Conversation Series, hosted by the Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development (GSDP), took place at Maharashtra Sadan on Thursday under the theme “Electric Mobility: From System Integration to Skills Development.”
The roundtable brought together senior officials from central ministries, state and municipal administrations, public transport authorities, distribution companies (DISCOMs), skill development institutions, industry leaders, financiers, and international partners. Discussions stressed that India’s ambitious electric mobility targets will require cross-sectoral planning across renewable energy, transportation, manufacturing, finance, and skill development. Effective coordination among the central government, states, and cities was underscored as a critical factor for smooth execution.
Building on a long-standing partnership in renewable energy, urban development, public transport modernisation, and vocational training, the Indo-German collaboration provides a strong foundation to advance next-generation electric mobility solutions.
In recent years, India has put in place a robust multi-ministerial policy framework for electric mobility. Key initiatives include the PM eDrive Scheme (₹10,900 crore) for vehicle electrification and charging infrastructure, PM eBus Sewa, which plans to deploy 10,000 electric buses through public-private partnerships, and a Payment Security Mechanism (₹3,435 crore) introduced in 2024 to mitigate risks for large-scale electric bus operations. Additionally, the 2024 Charging Infrastructure Guidelines, developed by the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), set national standards for interoperability, safety, tariffs, and smart charging systems.
The roundtable discussions focused on five core themes:
Multimodal electrification – integrating metro, bus, shared mobility, and last-mile services.
Charging infrastructure and grid readiness – strengthening coordination with DISCOMs and ensuring battery safety.
Financing and procurement – addressing bankability, risk-sharing, and contract structuring challenges.
Skills and gender inclusion – building a capable workforce to meet sector demands.
Indo-German cooperation – deepening joint efforts in grid management, battery circularity, multimodal planning, and vocational training.
The dialogue reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to promoting clean, efficient, and inclusive mobility solutions. Stakeholders identified priority areas for ongoing collaboration and emphasized the role of the GSDP as a key platform enabling coordinated action.
Launched in 2022, the Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development serves as a strategic framework supporting climate-aligned, sustainable development and advancing initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
