The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has launched the "Electric Vehicle Solutions led by Startups (EVolutionS)" program. This initiative aims to accelerate EV component manufacturing in India by supporting startups through Technology Business Incubators (TBIs). The program aligns with the goals of ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT and Viksit Bharat, focusing on localizing EV components and fostering a robust domestic supply chain.

Focus and Objectives

The EVolutionS program seeks to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness by supporting startups in product development, testing, validation, and demonstration. The program aims to accelerate the development of indigenous materials and components for Electric Vehicles, including batteries, motors, drives, power electronics, and EV charging infrastructure. The goal is to translate prototypes into commercially viable products, establishing a robust supply chain within the country.

The program focuses on bridging gaps in the EV supply chain, addressing challenges in manufacturing, testing, validation, and standardization of EV components. It aims to accelerate the transition of EV technologies from Proof of Concept/Prototype (TRL 3-4) to commercially viable products (TRL 6-8). This will be achieved by demonstrating prototypes in real-world settings, reducing reliance on imports, and strengthening the domestic EV supply chain.

The call covers the development of components for Electric 2, 3 & 4-wheelers (including L5, E-rickshaw and E-cart), e-buses, and EV public charging infrastructure. The emphasis is on accelerating the localization of core EV components at Technology Readiness Levels (3-4) for commercialization within 36 months. The final deliverables should demonstrate industrial-grade materials and components (TRL 6-8) for adoption by manufacturing industries.

Key Components and Sub-systems

The program identifies two primary challenges in localizing EV components: manufacturing challenges and standardization of components. Many startups have developed Proof of Concepts/Prototypes, but scaling up is hindered by manufacturing issues. There is a need to standardize EV components to meet tropical environmental conditions and ensure robustness for both domestic and export markets.

The EVolutionS program will focus on translating innovative technologies from proof of concept/prototype level (TRL 3-4) to commercially viable products (TRL 6-8). This will involve addressing manufacturing challenges, functional prototype development, scaling up, pilots, testing, validation, market entry, and commercialization. The goal is to fully localize manufacturing and reduce the total cost of manufacturing these components/sub-systems.

Key areas of focus include:

• Tropical EV Battery Components/Systems: Novel battery materials, innovative solutions for battery circularity, and strategies to increase battery life.
• Power Electronics, Machine Drive Components: Charging systems, permanent magnet manufacturing, electric drive units, control units, power distribution units, traction inverters, power converters, and thermal management systems.
• Charging Infrastructure: Inductive/wireless charging systems, renewable-based green charging technologies, charger controllers, pantograph and megawatt-hour charging technologies, integrated thermal management systems, and battery swapping technology.
• Standardization of EV Components: Focusing on charging infrastructure, grid integration, vehicle systems, and components.

Funding and Support Structure

The program will support startups to develop components aligned with the Phased Manufacturing Program (PMP) under the PM E-Drive Scheme and the Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) PLI Scheme of MHI. It aims to accelerate the translation of prototypes/PoCs (TRL 3-4) into commercially viable products, reaching higher TRL (6-8) within a short span of time. This will address domestic needs of the EV industry, enabling startups to localize manufacturing and reduce costs.

The program is structured with a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) set up by DST, which will steer the program by reviewing, selecting startups, and monitoring overall progress. Selected startups will receive grants and incubation support through TBIs. The financial support for startups is up to Rs. 50 lakhs (Rs. 20 lakhs as grant-in-aid & remaining Rs. 30 lakhs with 2-3% equity/equity linked instruments). The funding is provided for a period of up to 36 months.

DST-supported TBIs will receive 5% of the total startup funding for EVolutionS as an overhead charge for the selection process, monitoring, and management of the startups. TBIs are responsible for managing the startup funding and monitoring progress. Additionally, TBIs may be granted Rs. 10 lakhs/year towards capacity building, organizing thematic workshops, networking with stakeholders, and forging international collaborations.

Eligibility Criteria

Startups applying for the EVolutionS Grant must meet the following criteria:

• Must be registered by DPIIT at the time of application.
• Shareholding by Indian promoters in the startup should be at least 51%.
• Must be an ‘Indian Company’ with IP residing in India and majority-owned in India.
• Must have reached a level of proof of concept/technology validated in the lab (TRL 3-4).
• Should not have received funding support in grant mode of more than Rs. 20 lakhs in the last 5 years from any other Government funding programs for startups.
• The Project Leader (PI) can submit only one proposal against this call.

Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) must meet the following criteria:

• Must be a legal entity (Society, Trust, or Not-for-profit Private Limited company).
• Must have facilities to incubate at least 20 startups at a given point in time.
• Must have incubated more than 100 startups since inception, with at least 10 start-ups in the cleantech domain including EVs.
• Must have a full-time Chief Executive Officer and a competent team.
• Must have been assisted by the Central Government.

The Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is empowered to relax the above criteria for deserving TBIs and set additional criteria for the benefit of the Program. Basic research projects below TRL 3, exploratory research, and projects with low novelty are not supported.

Application and Submission Details

The last date for submission of project proposals is 20th April, 2025 by 11:59 PM IST. Applications must be submitted online only through https://onlinedst.gov.in/Login.aspx. No hard copies will be accepted. Applicants should fill up the application form in the prescribed format with supporting documents and upload it to the DST website.

The selection process involves multiple steps, including eligibility check, examination by a Preliminary Selection Committee (PSC), review by subject matter experts, and presentation before a Technical Expert Panel (TEP). PAC-recommended applications are then subjected to final financial and technical due diligence by the TBI. The EVolutionS selection is based on parameters such as value proposition, technical viability, novelty, commercialization strategy, and team strength.

For proposals approved for funding, TBIs sign agreements with grantees (startups) on behalf of DST. Grantees must open a separate, auditable, no-lien bank account to receive funds. The project progress is monitored by a committee appointed by DST, including a face-to-face presentation towards completion of the project. It is mandatory for all grantees to interact with at least 2 investors during the 36 months of the EVolutionS project.

Suggested Research Topics

Based on the scope of the call, here are some relevant academic research areas:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Battery Management Systems
• Material Science for Novel Battery Materials
• Power Electronics for Efficient EV Charging
• Thermal Management Systems for Electric Motors
• Microbiology for Bio-electrochemical Battery Recycling
• Sustainable Chemistry for Green Battery Production