Gandhinagar: Over the past decade and a half, Sanand on the outskirts of Ahmedabad and Mandal Becharaji Special Investment Region (MBSIR) have emerged as hubs of automobile manufacturing, attracting investments from automobile majors.With the rapidly increasing prevalence of electric vehicles (EVs), the Gujarat govt has drawn up a plan to showcase these two automobile industry hubs as centres for EV and EV component manufacturing and EV industry supply chain hubs.A slew of special incentive schemes are expected to be rolled out in the upcoming new industrial policy to promote EV manufacturing and EV component industries, key sources close to the development said. “The govt plans to develop Sanand and MBSIR, which falls under the North Gujarat Special Economic Region (NGSER), as dedicated EV and related industry hubs. Land in Sanand and MBSIR will be given on a priority basis for EV and related industries. A dedicated incentive scheme for the EV sector is expected soon. Existing auto companies may get fresh incentives for their EV ventures or expansion plans. The new set of incentives will cover companies manufacturing EV batteries and battery components as well,” a top source said. According to govt sources, Gujarat has witnessed huge growth in automobile manufacturing over the past decade and a half. Output rose about 22 times in the past 15 years, making it one of India’s top auto hubs. Sanand and MBSIR have turned out to be chosen locations for automobile companies, which have set up plants and even taken up expansion activities in Sanand and MBSIR. Sanand and MBSIR host major players like Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Hero MotoCorp and other companies. A few of these auto majors have already set up EV manufacturing plants at these two auto hubs. A number of key auto component manufacturers have also set up units in these two automobile manufacturing hubs, providing a conducive ecosystem for big automobile manufacturers having units in Sanand and MBSIR. Info box: Head: Incentives planned for EV makers Sanand and MBSIR identified as priority electric vehicle manufacturing hubs New industrial policy to offer incentives for EV makers soon Land allocation to prioritize EV, battery and component manufacturers units Existing auto firms may get incentives for EV expansion projects Gujarat auto output rose 22 times in fifteen years statewide Major automakers already operate EV plants in Sanand, MBSIR regions
