Maharashtra Sets Sights on Global EV and Tech Leadership: CM
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared that Maharashtra intends to transition from a national automotive powerhouse into an international epicenter for advanced mobility and clean technology. The announcement was made on Wednesday during the launch event for Mercedes-Benz’s electric GLC at the Chakan industrial belt.
State authorities are actively redefining their industrial priorities. Moving beyond the standard ‘Make in Maharashtra’ framework, the government is now heavily incentivizing research, engineering excellence, technological upgrading, and disruptive innovation across manufacturing sectors.
The geographical concentration of auto industries in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad has allowed Maharashtra to secure a dominant market position, supplying over twenty percent of India’s total vehicle output. Nevertheless, leadership envisions a much broader scope that includes electric drive systems, next-generation batteries, microelectronics, artificial intelligence applications, automotive computing, and specialized design laboratories.
During the address, the chief minister urged global automakers to establish the Chakan factory as a primary manufacturing and innovation node for supply chains serving India, Asia, and global territories. He specifically requested that Maharashtra be designated as the central hub for upcoming battery research and mobility software development.
Policy frameworks are rapidly aligning with these ambitions. The state has officially committed to dedicating thirty percent of all new vehicle registrations to electric models by 2030. To facilitate this massive shift, public works departments are aggressively deploying high-speed charging networks along arterial roads. Furthermore, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the recently commissioned Samruddhi Mahamarg are being structured into green mobility corridors, supported by formalized battery recycling programs.
The chief minister projected that upcoming automobiles will operate as fully integrated digital and energy ecosystems, leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced computing. He stressed that the state’s infrastructure, talent pool, and policy environment are fully optimized to pilot this transformation.
Logistics and trade accessibility will see substantial improvements through the development of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the anticipated Pune-Purandar Airport, and enhanced port networks. These assets will ensure seamless integration with global supply chains.
Maharashtra continues to attract substantial capital due to its massive consumer base, efficient industrial corridors, highly skilled technical workforce, and advanced manufacturing setups. Commercial confidence in the region’s electric transition is palpable, with the Mercedes-Benz electric GLC securing nearly 650 customer expressions of interest within a mere 36-hour window.
Financial commitment to the sector is equally robust. The Mercedes-Benz Chakan unit, established with a ₹3,200 crore injection, directly employs about 1,200 personnel and sustains roughly 18,000 jobs across ancillary and service industries. Its planned expansion into full-scale electric GLC manufacturing within the next decade will serve as a benchmark for the state’s technological maturation.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunita Pawar concluded by recognizing Mercedes-Benz’s enduring legacy, highlighting the company’s critical contributions to Maharashtra’s industrial development over the last three decades.