Electric vehicle manufacturer Ather Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Commerce to support the growth of clean mobility and advanced manufacturing under the Build in Bharat initiative, led by the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), the government announced on 29 July.

As part of this collaboration, Ather will offer strategic mentorship to deep-tech startups, provide infrastructure-related support within the electric vehicle value chain, and conduct joint innovation programmes with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). It will also participate in the Startup Mahakumbh and co-host skill development initiatives aimed at strengthening the clean mobility ecosystem.

Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy, said, “We are pleased to work with DPIIT to enhance support for hardware and deep-tech startups. With the right policy framework and deeper industry involvement, this initiative can enable Indian founders to tackle core technological challenges and scale globally competitive products.”

The tie-up is expected to bolster India’s transition towards sustainable transport by fostering a self-reliant, future-ready startup ecosystem aligned with national manufacturing goals and climate commitments.

Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, said, “India’s EV sector is entering a transformative phase. Through this partnership with Ather Energy, we aim to create an enabling environment for startups to drive EV manufacturing, battery innovation, and clean energy solutions.”

Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO of SPF, added that the collaboration is a key component of the Build in Bharat initiative and will help unlock India’s manufacturing potential through focused partnerships.

Following the MoU announcement, shares of Ather Energy rose by nearly 1 per cent. Since listing in May 2025, Ather’s stock has gained nearly 14 per cent.

The company narrowed its losses to Rs 2.34 billion in Q4 FY25, supported by strong demand for its flagship ‘Rizta’ electric scooters.

As India’s electric mobility sector matures, EV firms are beginning to prepare for a future without heavy subsidies. In January 2025, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that no fresh incentives were needed, as the current policies had already laid the groundwork for a thriving EV ecosystem.