Electric vehicle industry continues to lose charge on localisation woes

Poses a hurdle as cells, which account for half the EV price, continue to be imported

The tieup between conglomerate JSW Group and SAIC Motor Corporation-owned MG Motor India to manufacture electric vehicles (EVs) has recently captured attention, with their focus on localisation as well.

However, localisation still poses a hurdle for the EV industry, as cells that contribute to almost 50 per cent of the EV price are still being imported from China and South Korea.

According to industry experts, the entry of players like JSW-MG Motor and the aggressive EV road map by companies like Reliance Industries, Ola Electric, and Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) may help India overcome this crisis, as deep localisation levels