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India’s EV leap needs deeper technology capabilities: Kannan Subramanian
Articles- Sep 26,26
Kannan Subramanian, Head Engineering - Electrified Motion Business, Bosch speaks with Ashlin Rajan on the challenges shaping India’s EV manufacturing journey, the role of localisation, power electronics and the technologies driving a resilient electric mobility ecosystem.
What are the key challenges currently affecting EV manufacturing in India?
In India, the primary challenge isn't just about initiating assembly but scaling production for a highly unique mass market dominated by two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and compact cars. Rather than a gradual "technology transfer" from global platforms, Indian OEMs (IOEMs) are executing an unprecedented "Technology Leap". They are demanding mature, high-performance, and deeply localised technologies immediately to tackle India-specific operating scenarios.
At Bosch, our key technical challenge is ensuring vehicle systems perform optimally under harsh Indian operating conditions. Demanding local conditions, including extreme ambient temperatures, high traffic density, and variable load cycles, put intense stress on power electronics. Given that importing global components alone is not viable, systems like traction inverters and Vehicle Control Units (VCUs) must be engineered and rigorously validated against local duty cycles.
The supply chain for high-performance silicon remains highly centralised globally. For India to build a resilient manufacturing base, we must bridge the gap in domestic module packaging, assembly, and testing. Scaling EV production requires reliable access to advanced power semiconductors that can handle high power density while keeping system costs viable for mass-market 400V platforms.
Which EV components offer the greatest potential for domestic manufacturing and localisation?
The most lucrative areas for deep localisation are high-value, safety-critical systems that dictate vehicle performance. This includes battery management systems (BMS), advanced motor controllers, eAxles, and localised power electronics.
Bosch sees the potential in power electronics. These are the "heart and brain" of the powertrain, directly influencing vehicle range, efficiency, and charging speeds. By localising the design integration, thermal validation, and software calibration of these systems, we can deliver immediate value and cost-competitiveness to Indian OEMs.
True technological depth also lies in the integration of Silicon Carbide (SiC) power semiconductors. SiC technology fundamentally changes the game by reducing switching losses and improving thermal conductivity. Localising the packaging of SiC MOSFETs into compact power modules for traction inverters represents a massive strategic opportunity to boost local manufacturing value-add.
How can India reduce its dependence on imported EV components?
Reducing import reliance requires shifting the focus from low-value "component assembly" to high-value hardware-software integration. By cultivating local systems-engineering capabilities, India can design architectures optimised for local cost structures and performance envelopes.
For us, a practical approach is fostering strategic, co-development partnerships between local manufacturers and global technology leaders. For example, Bosch is actively working with Indian OEMs on customised, localised vehicle control platforms that bridge the gap between global technology platforms and local market dynamics.
The key also lies in silicon integration and the shift toward Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs). Bosch’s Gen 3 SiC platform delivers higher performance, smaller die sizes, and more efficient power-module designs, helping reduce losses, improving thermal behavior, and making EV systems more cost-effective. This is especially important for 400V EV platforms, which are central to the mass-market EV segment in India, where traction inverters, on-board chargers, and DC/DC converters need to be efficient, compact, and affordable.
What role do local suppliers and MSMEs play in strengthening the EV manufacturing ecosystem?
Local Tier-2/Tier-3 suppliers and MSMEs are the bedrock of ecosystem density. They are essential for scaling production volumes, minimising logistics costs, and providing the geographic proximity required for agile engineering turnarounds.
For MSMEs to successfully integrate into the EV value chain, we must simplify system architectures. By standardising interfaces on key assemblies like the eAxle and traction inverter, we make localisation achievable for local suppliers who can excel at module assembly and testing without needing multi-billion-dollar fabrication capabilities.
We advocate for a tiered collaboration model. Global technology leaders like Bosch provide advanced semiconductor platforms (such as our Gen 3 SiC platform), while local MSMEs drive high-volume, customer-specific harness manufacturing, auxiliary sub-assembly, and mechanical integration.
How are automation, AI, and advanced technologies improving manufacturing efficiency and productivity?
We are entering the era of "Silicon Intelligence," where hardware and software are co-designed and co-verified. Advanced technologies are no longer just factory-floor tools; they are embedded directly into the product architecture to drive continuous post-sale optimisation .
Bosch is actively utilising AI and software to maximise physical hardware efficiency. Through smart thermal management algorithms, predictive diagnostics, and advanced regenerative braking systems, we are turning software into a primary range-extender for Indian EVs. These software layers are being co-developed with India's exceptional local software talent.
Smart manufacturing at the chip level directly improves component cost-effectiveness. For instance, in the manufacturing of our Gen 3 SiC platform, we optimised the process by reusing existing trench-etching hard masks for new shield implants. This manufacturing synergy maintains process continuity, improves yields, and translates directly to more affordable EV power electronics.
What policy support is needed to accelerate indigenous EV component manufacturing?
Policy must transition from demand-side purchase subsidies to robust, supply-side deep-tech incentives. Support should prioritise domestic research, development, and complex systems testing. Scaling domestic EV component manufacturing requires policy that goes beyond demand-side incentives and addresses the supply side with equal urgency.
First, PLI (Production Linked Incentive) schemes that specifically cover advanced power electronics including SiC-based modules and inverter assemblies will attract investment into higher-value segments of the EV supply chain, not just battery packs. Second, R&D grants and co-investment mechanisms that enable Indian companies to partner with global technology providers will accelerate knowledge transfer and domestic capability building.
Third, procurement policies that give preference to domestically manufactured components in public EV fleets - electric buses, government vehicles, last-mile delivery, create volume commitments that make local production economically viable. Fourth, standards harmonisation is critical: clear, internationally aligned performance standards for SiC-based power electronics and traction systems will give Indian manufacturers a defined target and reduce engineering duplication.
Finally, skilling infrastructure, linking institutions like IITs, NITs, NIELIT and polytechnics to the power electronics and semiconductor value chain will help build the human capital that advanced manufacturing requires.
Alignment is needed between India's semiconductor policies (such as the India Semiconductor Mission) and automotive grade requirements. Encouraging local Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) units to focus on automotive-grade silicon packaging will be a massive catalyst.
What steps are required to build a resilient and globally competitive EV supply chain in India?
A resilient EV supply chain must be built on three foundations: technological depth, geographic diversification of sourcing, and ecosystem density.
On technological depth, India must move up the value chain from component assembly to component design and eventually to materials and substrate development. Partnerships with global semiconductor leaders who bring their latest technology platforms to India, rather than older generation products are essential to this progression.
Geographic supply chain resilience is a lesson reinforced by global semiconductor shortages in recent years. As electrification accelerates worldwide, securing reliable access to critical semiconductor technologies has become more important than ever for automotive manufacturers. Bosch's own response to this challenge demonstrates the model; with SiC production in both Europe and the United States, Bosch is building a more geographically balanced manufacturing footprint. This helps reduce dependencies on single production locations and increases overall supply chain robustness.
The co-location of OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, MSME fabricators, testing facilities, and R&D institutions creates the collaborative environment in which supply chains continuously improve. Industrial clusters focused on EV power electronics, supported by shared infrastructure and policy incentives, can accelerate this density.
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