Gurugram-headquartered Tier-1 major Uno Minda, which is a key supplier of switches, lights, and instrument clusters, among other propulsion-technology-agnostic parts, has revealed plans to set up a greenfield facility for a range of products it has lined up for passenger electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.

The company states that it is witnessing growing demand for the localisation of high-voltage EV components such as electric drive units (EDUs), chargers and battery management systems (BMSs) from leading PV OEMs across the country since the last 12 months. As a result, in June 2024, Uno Minda had signed a technical licensing agreement (TLA) with China’s Suzhou Inovance Automotive, for bringing these components to India.

According to Nirmal K Minda, Chairman and MD, Uno Minda Group, “Until about a year ago, the passenger vehicle (PV) and commercial vehicle (CV) players in India were not intensively looking at the localisation of EV components, but lately, we have started receiving RFQs from different OEMs. We are now in discussions with several OEMs for the localisation of parts such as EDUs, chargers and BMSs, and we will set up a greenfield facility.”

While Uno Minda had already commissioned two new plants for the manufacturing of two-wheeler EV components under its JVs with Germany’s Friwo and Buehler Motor, in Haryana in August last year, the company says it is still identifying locations for its greenfield facility for electric PV components. “As of now, we have not identified the location but depending upon the orders and LoIs, we will make the decision,” Minda said.

Bullish on EV industry growth in India

Despite the ongoing slowdown in EV sales globally, Uno Minda is bullish about the long-term growth potential and the relevance of the zero-emission technology, particularly in the Indian context.

According to Minda, “While there is a slowdown for several reasons, we are very bullish about the future of electric vehicles. We must address the challenges of reducing fossil fuel consumption and ensuring environmental sustainability in India, and therefore, as Uno Minda, we are investing heavily into EV technology.”

“There might be certain blips during this transition phase, but we are confident about the long-term growth potential. Therefore, we have already set up two greenfield projects for e-motors, controllers, and chargers for electric two-wheelers and with our TLA with Inovance, we are now eyeing component supplies for electric passenger and commercial vehicles,” Minda added.

With growing sales of electric two-wheelers in the country, which are headed to clock a million sales for the first time in a calendar year, Uno Minda says it is already witnessing a robust demand from two-wheeler players such as TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp for two-wheelers. “We are facing a supply constraint for two-wheeler chargers over the last couple of months. The volumes are quite good and we also have a very good forecast,” he revealed.

Eyeing manufacture of hybrid, hydrogen components

Uno Minda, which currently also supplies localised CNG components such as cylinder valves as well as integrated CNG kits to both commercial and passenger vehicle OEMs in India through its Manesar-headquartered Minda Westport Technologies, which is a JV between Uno Minda and Italy’s Emer, is eyeing more demand for alternate fuel system solutions in the future.

While it is a leading supplier to OEMs such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, and Maruti Suzuki India for CNG systems, the company is also exploring opportunities for hydrogen fuel systems for the commercial vehicle segment. “With Westport, we have also started discussions with several CV OEMs for exploring supplies for hydrogen-based powertrain solutions to them,” Minda said.

The company is also keen to venture into hybrid powertrain solutions, and as per Nirmal K Minda, “Within our technical alliance with Inovance, we also have capabilities to bring a range of hybrid technologies, and we have initiated discussions with PV OEMs for offering hybrid solutions for their upcoming models,” he signed off without revealing the names of the vehicle manufacturers.