HMC E-Valley Pvt Ltd (HIVE), the electric mobility manufacturing arm of Hero Motors Company (HMC), has entered into a memorandum of understanding with KPIT Technologies Ltd to set up an independent Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the Delhi-NCR region to fast-track the development of light electric vehicles (LEVs).
The proposed CoE will offer end-to-end design and engineering services to global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the micro-mobility and L-category electric vehicle space, including e-bicycles, e-scooters and other lightweight electric platforms.
Speaking to ANI on Friday, Hero Motors Company Chairman and Managing Director Pankaj Munjal said the partnership has significant long-term potential. “There is no ceiling to this partnership. There is no roof and no defined milestone. With this collaboration, we should aim to capture around 10 per cent of the global LEV market in the future,” he said.
On the road ahead, Munjal added that both companies would explore how their strengths complement each other over the coming months. “KPIT and HMC have a story to write together. As we get to know each other better, we will see how we can add value jointly,” he said.
According to an official statement from HMC, the initiative comes at a time when cities across the world are struggling with congestion, pollution and the growing demand for cleaner transportation solutions, leading to rapid adoption of micromobility for short-distance and first- and last-mile travel.
Under the agreement, HIVE will contribute its expertise in business development, customer engagement, prototyping and manufacturing enablement. KPIT, which focuses on mobility software and engineering, will lead solution design, engineering delivery, programme management, detailed vehicle design, as well as software and systems integration.
“The light electric vehicle industry is at a pivotal stage, where advanced hardware must be seamlessly combined with intelligent software,” Munjal said, adding that the partnership underlines HIVE’s ambition to play a larger role globally in sustainable micromobility solutions.
KPIT Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Kishor Patil said that software-driven innovation would increasingly shape mobility, even in smaller vehicle categories. “The future of mobility, including micromobility, will be defined by intelligent software and seamless systems integration. KPIT’s deep expertise in mobility technology will be critical in enabling the Centre of Excellence to develop world-class, cost-effective and safe LEV platforms,” he said.
Patil also told ANI that micro-mobility represents a significant portion of overall travel demand. “Our partnership with HMC marks an exciting phase. We believe micro-mobility is a crucial segment, accounting for nearly 50 per cent of travel,” he said.
The collaboration is global in scope and aims to build end-to-end capabilities for the rapidly expanding light EV segment. By combining HIVE’s scalable manufacturing strengths and supply chain efficiencies with KPIT’s AI-driven mobility solutions and operational expertise, the partnership seeks to accelerate the development of next-generation, high-quality LEV products for customers worldwide.
HMC HIVE operates as a focused global platform for e-bikes and light electric mobility solutions, offering capabilities ranging from product design and engineering—developed in collaboration with KPIT Technologies—to industrialisation and large-scale manufacturing. Based in Ludhiana, it serves leading Indian and international OEMs as a white-label contract manufacturer.
KPIT, meanwhile, continues to work with group companies and partners to shape a cleaner, smarter and safer mobility ecosystem. With more than 25 years of specialised experience in mobility, the company is driving the transition towards software- and AI-defined vehicles through advanced solutions, platforms and system integration expertise.
