Exploring a Just and Inclusive EV Transition for Maharashtra MSMEs
Maharashtra’s automotive manufacturing sector plays a pivotal role in India’s economy. The transition to EVs represents a tremendous opportunity for auto manufacturing firms but it comes with considerable challenges, particularly for the MSMEs accounting for 97% of the state's auto manufacturing sector. The transition could also bring challenges to various segments of the auto manufacturing industry, especially MSMEs responsible for employing over 200,000 workers, who will be vulnerable to the rapid changes in technology, production processes, and market needs that EVs will bring. Without proactive measures, the transition may adversely affect these enterprises and the livelihoods they support.
WRI India, as part of our ongoing engagement with the State Climate Action Cell, Government of Maharashtra, aims to support a just and inclusive transition of automotive component manufacturing MSMEs in Maharashtra as the sector transitions from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to Electric Vehicles (EVs). To begin with, we have undertaken stakeholder consultations and series of engagement workshops in key clusters in Maharashtra to understand current landscape of automotive component manufacturing in the state.
The objective of the convening is to engage with stakeholders from across key clusters in Maharashtra to understand risks, opportunities, and interventions needed across the auto value chain due towards a just transition to EVs in the state. The insights from the workshop will be used by WRI India to inform further research, actions and partnerships to enable an inclusive transition in Maharashtra.
List of Speakers
- Ms. Ashwini Hingne, Associate Program Director-Climate, Economics & Finance, WRI India
- Mr. Prashant Girbane, Director General, Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture
- Mr Ajay Agarwal, Chairman, MITCON
- Mr. Abhijit Ghorpade, Director, State Climate Action Cell, Government of Maharashtra
- Mr. Abhay Daptardar, Assistant Director, MSME Development and Facilitation Office, Ministry of MSME, Government of India
- Mr. Sanak Das, Assistant General Manager, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
- Mr. Arindam Lahiri, CEO, Automotive Skill Development Council
- Dr. Archana Patankar, Vice President - Research & Impact, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
- Mr. Gajanan Gandhe, Country Director, Dana TM4
- Mr. Ranjeet Bhelke, CEO, Kinetic Communications
- Mr. Sudhanwa Kopardekar, Director (MSMEs), Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA)
- Mr. Sunil Dhadiwal, CEO, Atal Incubation Centre, Pinnacle Entrepreneurship Forum
- Dr. Sanjay Arole, Senior Director, School of Automobile Engineering, Symbiosis Skills and Professional University
