N※N

Hyundai, Hive, and KPIT Launch Light-Electric-Vehicle CoE in Delhi-NCR

85

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. nch-light-electric-vehicle-coe-in-delhi-ncr.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Friday, December 19th 2025 at 6:06 GMT by Business Today

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-12-19 224 x 224 / 7690 Bytes

2025-12-19 224 x 224 / 10246 Bytes

2025-12-19 224 x 224 / 9758 Bytes

2025-12-19 224 x 224 / 11770 Bytes

Light‑Electric‑Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Delhi‑NCR: A Strategic Trilateral Partnership

On 19 December 2025, a landmark announcement was made in the Indian automotive and technology space: HMC (Hyundai Motor Company), Hive, and KPIT Technologies have come together to establish a Light‑Electric‑Vehicle (LEV) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the Delhi‑NCR region. The joint venture, which brings together global automotive prowess, cutting‑edge digital innovation, and deep‑rooted engineering expertise, aims to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable mobility by creating a state‑of‑the‑art hub for design, simulation, testing, and skill development of LEVs.

The Key Players

The synergy of these three entities is designed to leverage their respective strengths. HMC supplies the automotive ecosystem, Hive injects digital intelligence, and KPIT provides the software backbone—together forming a comprehensive “software‑first” approach to EV development.

Vision & Objectives

Primary Goal: Establish a fully‑functional LEV CoE that can:

1. Accelerate R&D: Design, prototype, and validate lightweight EV platforms using advanced materials (high‑strength steel, carbon fibre composites) and modular architecture.
2. Test & Certify: Run rigorous chassis, battery, and safety tests that comply with both Indian and international standards (e.g., ISO 26262, UNECE regulations).
3. Upskill the Workforce: Offer industry‑accredited courses in electrical engineering, battery technology, and automotive software development, thereby addressing the skills gap in India’s EV sector.
4. Foster Collaboration: Act as a liaison between academia, start‑ups, and larger OEMs, encouraging joint innovation projects and research initiatives.

Geographic Advantage: Delhi‑NCR is strategically chosen because it houses numerous universities, research institutes, and a growing ecosystem of EV start‑ups. The region is also at the heart of India’s “Smart Cities” and “Green Mobility” initiatives.

Structure & Funding

The CoE will be a jointly owned entity, with equity distributed as follows: HMC 40 %, Hive 30 %, KPIT 30 %. Total capital investment is projected at ₹200 crore (~$25 million). Funding will be sourced from:

• Corporate equity of the partners
• Government incentives under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP‑5) and the FAME III scheme
• Potential public‑private partnership (PPP) contributions from the Ministry of Heavy Industries

The facility will occupy a 50‑acre campus in the outskirts of Gurgaon, with dedicated zones for R&D labs, battery testing cells, assembly lines, and a training centre.

Key Milestones

These milestones align with the Indian government’s target of achieving 30 % EV penetration in the light‑vehicle segment by 2030.

Quotes from Leadership

• Kim Min‑seok, CEO of HMC India: “This partnership is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and India’s automotive future. By bringing together global expertise and local talent, we’re setting a new benchmark for EV innovation in the country.”

• Dr. Arjun Mehta, Co‑founder of Hive: “Data is the new fuel for mobility. Our AI‑driven analytics will ensure that every LEV emerging from this CoE is not only efficient but also smarter and safer.”

• Anil Gupta, CEO of KPIT Technologies: “Software is the heart of modern vehicles. With this CoE, we’ll embed robust, secure, and scalable software solutions into every electric vehicle, reinforcing India’s position as a global EV manufacturing hub.”

Broader Impact on India’s EV Ecosystem

India’s EV strategy has received a significant push in recent years. The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP‑5) aims to achieve 6.3 million EVs on Indian roads by 2026 and 10 million by 2030. The FAME III incentive scheme, with a budget of ₹15,000 crore, supports battery technology, charging infrastructure, and procurement of electric buses and light‑vehicles.

The LEV CoE will play a pivotal role in:

• Shortening Time‑to‑Market: By having an integrated design‑to‑manufacturing pipeline, vehicle manufacturers can launch new EV models faster.
• Reducing Development Costs: Shared resources and economies of scale will bring down R&D costs, making EVs more affordable for Indian consumers.
• Ensuring Compliance: With in‑house testing labs, vehicles will be pre‑certified for safety, emissions, and performance standards, easing regulatory hurdles.
• Skill Development: India’s current EV workforce suffers from a mismatch of skills. The CoE’s training arm will deliver industry‑ready talent, addressing a critical bottleneck.

Strategic Linkages & Complementary Initiatives

The CoE’s launch is timely, given several other national initiatives:

• Government’s “National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP‑5)” is actively seeking industrial collaboration.
• Delhi's “Zero‑Emission Vehicles (ZEVE) program” encourages local production and testing of electric cars.
• The “India Electronics and Semiconductor Association” (IESA) is pushing for domestic production of EV chips and batteries, aligning with the CoE’s focus on embedded systems.

The partnership also echoes similar global models, such as Volkswagen’s CoE for EVs in Germany and Toyota’s “Hyundai‑Toyota Co‑Development Centre” for hybrid technologies, illustrating a best‑practice benchmark.

Final Thoughts

The establishment of a Light‑Electric‑Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Delhi‑NCR marks a watershed moment in India’s automotive journey. By amalgamating Hyundai’s global experience, Hive’s digital prowess, and KPIT’s engineering depth, the partnership promises to catalyze a new wave of electric mobility innovation. As the CoE rolls out its R&D, testing, and training modules over the next few years, the expectation is that India will see a surge in high‑quality, affordable, and sustainable light‑vehicles that meet both local and international standards.

In a world where the battle for green mobility is intensifying, this trident of collaboration stands poised to lead India not just to meet its EV targets but to exceed them, positioning the nation as a global beacon for next‑generation electric mobility.