Maharashtra aims to make Pune a global electric vehicle hub
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced plans to expand the state's industrial focus toward electric vehicle technology and research.
Maharashtra intends to transform Pune and its nearby industrial areas into a worldwide centre for advanced mobility, research, and electric vehicle (EV) technology, according to Urban Acres.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the statement during the launch of the Mercedes-Benz electric GLC at the company's Chakan facility. He said the state wants to move past its current identity as an automobile manufacturing hub to lead in technologies that define future mobility.
The state's upcoming industrial growth will focus on battery systems, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, power electronics, automotive software, vehicle design, and research and development. Fadnavis noted that Maharashtra currently accounts for more than 20 per cent of India's total vehicle production.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar described the Mercedes-Benz launch as a milestone for the manufacturing sector. She said the company has aided the state's industrial growth for 30 years and noted that Pune's industrial base could bolster its position in next-generation vehicle manufacturing.
The state's EV policy aims for electric vehicles to make up 30 per cent of new vehicle registrations by 2030. To support this, the government is working to grow fast-charging infrastructure on highways and planning sustainable mobility corridors on the Samruddhi Mahamarg and the Mumbai–Pune Expressway.
The government is also focusing on battery recycling as part of a sustainable transition. Immediate steps include increasing EV production, building highway charging networks, and strengthening research, development, and automotive software capabilities.