Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw held a high-level meeting with Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy, to discuss the critical intersection of vehicle electronics and India's growing semiconductor landscape.

The dialogue focused on how the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) can be leveraged to enhance road safety and fortify intelligent vehicle systems within the country’s burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

Taking to social media to highlight the engagement, Minister Vaishnaw stated, "Met Mr. Tarun Mehta, Co-founder & CEO, Ather Energy.

Discussed advancements in vehicle electronics and how India Semiconductor Mission can contribute to enhancing road safety and strengthening intelligent vehicle systems."

The meeting underscores the government's strategic push to integrate domestic chip manufacturing with advanced mobility solutions, particularly as the Union Budget 2026-27 recently introduced the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 with an initial allocation of INR 1,000 crore.

Ather Energy has been a proactive player in this space, recently entering a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the "Build in Bharat" initiative.

This partnership aims to provide mentorship for deep-tech startups and infrastructure support for the EV value chain, further aligning private sector innovation with national manufacturing goals.

The focus on smart electronics comes as the electric two-wheeler segment continues to serve as the backbone of India’s green transition.

Data from the Ministry of Heavy Industries reveals that sales reached 11,49,334 units in FY 2024-25, marking a 21 per cent increase from the previous year.

Supported by long-standing initiatives like the FAME II scheme and the new ISM 2.0, the government aims to move beyond simple assembly to creating a self-reliant supply chain for the sophisticated "brains" of modern electric vehicles.

Source: ANI