In a groundbreaking move for the future of electric mobility in India, EKA Mobility, an Indian electric vehicle and technology company, has entered into a strategic partnership with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. from Japan and VDL Groep from the Netherlands. The collaboration, marked by joint investments, equity partnerships, and technology sharing, underscores a joint commitment to advancing India’s position as a global manufacturing hub for electric vehicles (EVs).
Key Highlights:
- Strategic Investment: Mitsui & Co., Ltd. will inject substantial financial support into EKA Mobility to scale up manufacturing operations and broaden the product portfolio, fostering exports to emerging markets.
- Technological Leadership: VDL Bus & Coach, a subsidiary of VDL Groep and a pioneer in electric buses in Europe, will share technology with EKA Mobility, facilitating the production of electric buses in India.
- Strengthening ‘Make in India’: The alliance aligns closely with the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, reinforcing the commitment to local manufacturing and job creation.
- Sustainability: The partnership emphasizes a dedicated commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious mobility solutions, contributing significantly to the reduction of carbon footprints.
Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder and Chairman of EKA Mobility, expressed excitement, stating, “This partnership represents a significant step toward making India a global hub for electric vehicle manufacturing. We are proud to join forces with distinguished partners who share our vision of sustainable, profitable & efficient transportation.”
Nobuyoshi Umezawa, GM of the Mobility Business Division in Mitsui & Co. India, commented, “Through the cooperation of EKA, VDL, and Mitsui, we aim to contribute to ‘Make in India’ by leveraging EKA’s engineering and local network, and VDL’s technological capabilities.”
Rolf-Jan Zweep, CEO of VDL Bus & Coach, expressed delight, saying, “We are delighted to partner with EKA Mobility and Mitsui. With this cooperation, we foresee synergy benefits in procurement and development.”
EKA Mobility, approved under the Indian government’s Auto PLI policy, is the only Indian company offering end-to-end design, manufacturing, and technology for new energy vehicles. The company plans to manufacture over 500 electric buses and 5000+ electric light commercial vehicles in India. Manufacturing facilities are set up in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
