Roundtable ahead of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026 focuses on skilling, advanced testing facilities and strengthening Karnataka as a global EV innovation and manufacturing hub
Bengaluru, November 3, 2026:
Ahead of the upcoming Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026, Karnataka Minister for Home, Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology and E-Governance Shri Priyank Kharge held an interaction with key stakeholders from the state’s Electric Vehicle (EV) ecosystem to understand industry priorities and discuss measures to accelerate the growth of the sector.
The roundtable brought together leading EV manufacturers, technology companies, battery and energy solution providers, startups and industry representatives, including Exponent Energy, Ultraviolette, Simple Energy, Sun Mobility, Moonrider, Multiplex EV and other emerging players.
The discussions focused on strengthening Karnataka’s EV ecosystem through industry-driven research and development, advanced testing and certification infrastructure, specialised skill development programmes, incubation support and manufacturing capabilities.
Emphasising the need for government initiatives to be aligned with industry requirements, Minister Priyank Kharge urged EV companies to collectively identify their priorities and submit a comprehensive roadmap to the government.
“The government is committed to supporting the growth of the EV sector in Karnataka. However, our interventions must be based on the actual requirements of the industry. Whether it is common testing facilities, research infrastructure, incubation support or skilled manpower, we need a clear understanding of the ecosystem’s needs. I would like the industry to come together, identify these priorities and submit a consolidated roadmap. The government can then work with the industry to take forward the necessary initiatives,” the Minister said.
Industry-led skilling a key focus
Skill development and talent creation emerged as one of the major focus areas during the interaction. Industry representatives highlighted the increasing demand for specialised professionals in battery technology, embedded systems, firmware, power electronics, vehicle diagnostics, manufacturing and after-sales services.
Minister Priyank Kharge proposed an industry-backed skilling framework where companies would contribute to curriculum development, certify trained candidates and create employment opportunities.
Boost to local manufacturing and R&D
The Minister also encouraged EV companies to leverage Karnataka’s existing policy incentives for manufacturing and engineering research and development (R&D). He stressed the importance of strengthening local manufacturing capabilities and reducing dependence on imports.
The meeting reaffirmed Karnataka’s commitment to building a robust EV ecosystem by fostering collaboration between the government, industry and startups, further positioning the state as a leading destination for EV innovation and manufacturing.
Reported by: Amareshanna Kamanakeri
