Six New EV Manufacturing Facilities Inaugurated in Pune; Maharashtra Eyes National Leadership

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 30th October 2026: Maharashtra is poised to become one of India’s leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing hubs, with Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur emerging as important centres for the industry, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday.

He also announced that the state government would develop a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging stations along major highways in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers. The government will facilitate land, permissions and infrastructure required for the expansion of charging facilities.

Fadnavis was speaking at the inauguration of six new manufacturing facilities of EKA Mobility and the Pinnacle Group in Pune. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol, senior BJP leader B. L. Santhosh, industrialist Dr Abhay Firodia, EKA Mobility Founder and Chairman Dr Sudhir Mehta and Sunanda Mehta were among those present.

Fadnavis said the expansion of electric mobility would help reduce air pollution and India’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. He described the automobile industry as a major driver of employment generation and the growth of ancillary industries.

The state will require around 50,000 electric buses over the next three years, he said, urging manufacturers in Maharashtra to expand their production capacities to meet this demand.

The Chief Minister said the government was also focusing on increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to support the growing EV ecosystem. Efforts would be made to ensure affordable electricity for electric vehicles and establish an effective charging infrastructure across the state.

Praising the Pinnacle Group’s employment model, Fadnavis said women account for 50 per cent of the workforce at one of its manufacturing facilities. The company has provided them with specialised training and employment opportunities. He also appreciated the model under which every employee is a shareholder in the company.

He expressed confidence that the new manufacturing facilities would help meet Maharashtra’s growing demand for electric vehicles through local production and strengthen the state’s position in the national EV industry.

India Should Aim for Global Leadership in EV Manufacturing: Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said India should aim to become a global leader in electric vehicle manufacturing, particularly in the production of electric buses and trucks, which offer significant opportunities in domestic and international markets.

He said the automobile industry was a backbone of India’s industrial economy, contributing substantially to employment generation, exports and economic growth. Indian manufacturers should focus on expanding production capacity to meet the rising demand for electric vehicles.

Gadkari said reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports and promoting indigenous alternatives such as biofuels, ethanol and hydrogen were key priorities of the central government.

He urged the automobile industry to invest in battery technology, research, innovation and indigenous technologies. He also called for greater collaboration between startups, young engineers, researchers and educational institutions to accelerate technological development.

Highlighting the potential of electric commercial vehicles, Gadkari said electric buses and trucks offered significant growth opportunities. Manufacturers should work on improving vehicle payload capacity while addressing the additional weight of batteries.

He also stressed the need to expand charging infrastructure along highways and make electricity more affordable for EV users. Expressing confidence in India’s alternative fuel ecosystem, he said vehicles running entirely on bioethanol and hydrogen-powered trucks could enter the market in the coming years.

Gadkari said India should work towards 100 per cent indigenous electric vehicle manufacturing and strengthen its position in the global automobile market.

Invest in Indigenous Manufacturing and Advanced Technology: H. D. Kumaraswamy

Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy said India was rapidly emerging as a major global manufacturing destination under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 were providing momentum to domestic manufacturing, technological innovation and sustainable mobility.

The expansion of manufacturing capabilities in electric commercial vehicles, automobile components and engineering was a reflection of the growing confidence of Indian industry, he said.

Kumaraswamy highlighted the automobile and auto-components sectors as important contributors to industrial development and employment generation. He said various central government initiatives were supporting domestic manufacturing, electric vehicles, battery production and charging infrastructure.

He urged Indian companies to increase investments in electric vehicles, batteries, power electronics, automotive software, lightweight materials and hydrogen technology. India should aim not merely to participate in the global mobility transition but also to lead it, he said.

Maharashtra Emerging as Preferred Destination for Global Investment: Sunetra Pawar

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said Maharashtra, particularly Pune, was becoming a preferred destination for international investments due to its strong industrial infrastructure, skilled workforce and business-friendly policies.

She described the joint venture between the VDL Group and Pinnacle Industries as an important milestone in Pune’s industrial development.

Recalling the late Ajit Pawar’s commitment to industrial growth, employment generation and skill development, she expressed confidence that electric buses manufactured by the company would soon be seen on the roads of Pune and Mumbai, strengthening environmentally friendly public transport.

She also appreciated the EKA Group for providing women with equal employment opportunities in manufacturing, research, development and software. She urged other companies in Maharashtra to adopt similar practices.

Pawar said the five manufacturing projects in Pune were generating thousands of employment opportunities and enabling young people to acquire modern industry-relevant skills.

EKA Mobility’s Future Expansion Plans

In his introductory remarks, EKA Mobility Founder and Chairman Dr Sudhir Mehta outlined the group’s journey, its contribution to the industrial sector and its future expansion plans. He also thanked the central and Maharashtra governments for their support.

Representatives of various industrial groups, business leaders and citizens attended the inauguration programme.