The EV market is being shaped by a set of clearly emerging trends. There is an increased the shift of value from traditional hardware to EV-specific technologies. Additionally, the integration of software into the industry is resulting in an increase in demand for intelligent components. Localization of supply chains, as well as industry collaboration, is emerging as an important trend, says Dr. Balaji Venkataraman, President, TVS Sensing Solutions in an interview with EVolution Auto India.
Q: How do you assess the current state of India’s EV auto components market, and what key trends are shaping its growth trajectory?
Balaji Venkataraman: The Indian market for EV auto components is at a crucial juncture in its development journey from the early adoption phase to a more formalized growth trajectory. The rapid expansion in the number of available EV models with its own salient features has accelerated the adoption rate of the technology in the country. In addition, the robust support from the Indian government and the rise in consumer awareness are also contributing factors. These are creating a strong market for the required auto components in the Indian market in the domains of electrification, electronics and system integration.
However, the market is being shaped by a set of clearly emerging trends. There is an increased the shift of value from traditional hardware to EV-specific technologies. Additionally, the integration of software into the industry is resulting in an increase in demand for intelligent components. Localization of supply chains, as well as industry collaboration, is emerging as an important trend. These trends are not only driving growth but are also redefining the value creation process in the EV auto components industry in India.
Q: What major technology shifts are influencing component design and manufacturing for electric vehicles in India?
Balaji Venkataraman: The EV market in India is also being influenced by a series of technology changes that are significantly altering the way in which the components of EVs are designed and manufactured. One such change is the increasing influence of software, which is now significantly determining the value of both passenger and commercial vehicles. As vehicles become electric, connected and progressively autonomous, component design is moving beyond pure hardware to more integrated, electronics- and software-led systems. This has also led to a sharp rise in R&D investments, with the focus being to develop more efficient and intelligent technologies.
At the same time, the OEMs in the EV industry in India are also employing a number of digital technologies to improve the design and manufacturing process of the EVs in the country. For instance, artificial intelligence, virtual, augmented and mixed reality, product lifecycle management and additive manufacturing technologies are being used to improve the design and manufacturing process of EVs in the country. Simultaneously, the integration of Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) is also enabling the OEMs to conduct data analytics, thereby making faster and more informed decisions to improve the quality of the EVs in the country.
Q: Where do you see the biggest opportunities for Indian component manufacturers within the global EV ecosystem?
Balaji Venkataraman: We have an excellent opportunity to be at the forefront of sensor technologies in the global EV ecosystem, especially in segments like battery monitoring, thermal management, position sensing, and safety-critical applications. As the EV platforms become more software-centric and data-driven, with an emphasis on real-time data, there is a growing need for accurate, reliable, and intelligent sensing solutions. This provides an excellent window of opportunity for India to move up the value chain from build-to-print to design-centric innovation. With our strengths in efficient engineering and manufacturing, India has an excellent opportunity to position itself as a major sourcing center for global OEMs that require high-quality and scalable sensor solutions. Those who invest in leading-edge solutions, localization and system-level integration will be well-positioned to benefit from export opportunities.
Q: How is TVS Sensing Solutions innovating to address the evolving requirements of electric and smart mobility platforms?
Balaji Venkataraman: As a Tier 1 partner, our innovation strategy is to co-develop solutions that content the evolving needs of electric vehicles as well as smart mobility solutions. We have developed a new EV portfolio that includes ARAI-approved DC-DC converters, Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors, Side Stand Sensors, Throttle Position Sensors and Acoustic Vehicle Alert Systems. These products have been developed to satisfy our customers’ needs. We are committed to moving from a ‘build-to-print’ strategy to a ‘design-led development’ strategy, where customization as well as value engineering form a key part of our development strategy.
To take our innovation strategy to the next level, we have also focused on strengthening our internal capabilities in tooling, micro-moulding, rapid prototyping, as well as sophisticated testing and validation methodologies which has allowed us to develop products quickly as well as ensure that our products are reliable for our customers. We have also focused on developing connected and standalone IIoT solutions for smart and sustainable mobility solutions. Continuous improvement and cost optimization are integral parts of the way we operate, which makes us competitive while providing our customers with consistent value. At the same time, we work closely with the OEMs. We engage early in the development cycle in order to understand their needs better and co-create a solution with them that is practical and scalable in alignment with their platforms. Such an approach not only makes our partnerships more robust but also helps us react better to the changing needs of the EV market as we grow and evolve.
Q: Are there any upcoming products or technologies that you believe will be game-changers for EV manufacturers?
Balaji Venkataraman: We are currently working on an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) for Quiet Road Transport Vehicles (QRTV).The system is intended to ensure that near-silent electric vehicles generate an artificial sound at low speeds to alert pedestrians, particularly those who are visually impaired. According to the announcement from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), all electric cars, buses and trucks must have AVAS systems by October 1, 2026. This creates a good market opportunity for us and our solution is now ready to be offered to customers.
Q: What is your outlook on the growth potential of EV auto component manufacturing in India over the next decade?
Balaji Venkataraman: We maintain a positive outlook regarding the growth of EV auto component manufacturing in India for the next decade. Policy support, particularly through the PLI scheme and its SOPs, is giving the industry much-needed clarity and confidence to invest for the long term. It is encouraging domestic manufacturing, reducing import dependence and allowing suppliers to build stronger capabilities while planning their future roadmaps more effectively. However, it is also a fact that this industry is witnessing a definite change in technology. With electric vehicles, connected vehicles, and software-defined vehicles becoming more prominent, it is natural that the needs of component suppliers are also changing. There is a higher need to improve efficiency in R&D while managing complexity and cost escalation. To address this, OEMs as well as component suppliers are leveraging technologies such as AI, VR/AR, PLM, as well as additive manufacturing to improve their development processes. The use of IIoT and data analytics is also helping in making faster, more informed decisions and improving overall manufacturing quality. Together, these developments position India well for sustained, long-term growth in the EV ecosystem.
Q: What major technological or policy challenges could slow down EV adoption and ecosystem development?
Balaji Venkataraman: In recent times, the demand for electric vehicles has increased at a rapid rate, primarily due to the emission regulations and the global move towards electric mobility. From the perspective of the auto component, high precision, robustness and thermal stability in a compact, high-voltage application is required which makes the design process more complex, especially when multiple functions need to be integrated in small, intelligent sensor devices. Additionally, the need to ensure performance and reliability over a range of operating conditions also adds to the complexity. Cost competitiveness, supply chain and the need to scale up quickly without compromising quality also remain some of the challenges.
Q: Finally, what is your vision for TVS Sensing Solutions in shaping the future of sustainable mobility?
Balaji Venkataraman: Our vision at TVS Sensing Solutions is to be a part of a strong and responsible future for sustainable mobility while being flexible and aligned with the evolving industry. Partnerships and industry relationships play a vital part in our strategy as a leading auto component manufacturer in the Indian EV space. We are focused on delivering pragmatic and technology-based solutions through our Development and Innovation Center, particularly in areas such as electrification, connectivity and IIoT. We are also advancing our environmental commitments through initiatives such as energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy adoption. As we expand our capabilities and global partnerships our goal is to continuously progress in our portfolio and contribute to building a cleaner, smarter and more sustainable mobility ecosystem.